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Chapter III

The woods were dark and unseasonably chilly. Her boots were soon damp with dew as she stepped gingerly along the path. She could only barely see her way in the early blue light. She checked the sky for the north star through the trees (Avarae's North star is not Polaris, it is actually a bright star cluster that looks like a single star. This cluster is known as Tith). She judged by the placement of Hax and Fenvin that it was half past four in the morning. The dimmer stars were fading in a dark blue sky that was slowly waxing dawn. It was a new moon.

A twig snapped beneath her heel and she cringed. All was still around her, so she continued to the creek.

She balanced the woven bag on the top of her head and waded through the creek. It came up to her waist at its deepest, but she didn't mind her greaves and boots getting a little wet this time. She scrambled up the bank on the other side, clothes snagging on unseen blackberry brambles. She set the bag down and caught her breath, searching the dark sightlessly for the creature she sought. She didn't want to call out, feared she might wake it, but then again, it might be a night-dwelling beast... she wasn't sure. She had a suspicion, but would remain open to any possibility. She realized, with a sinking cold feeling, that she didn't really know what she was getting herself into.

She clutched the bag to her budding chest and bit her lip. The crickets seemed to be chirping abnormally loud. She could hear small things rustling in the underbrush around her. A branch snapped overhead and she started, looking up. Her small frame was trembling with fright.

Then she heard something crash through the branches, off to her right. She breathed a soundless cry and bolted in the opposite direction.

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She sprinted, wide-eyed; one arm stretched in front of her to deflect twigs and brambles, and this arm was scratched and cut repeatedly as she dashed through the forest. She saw in the dim light a rock wall in front of her, and veered off to run alongside this. She saw a crude cave several foot's lengths up at the top of a pile of boulders. She slung the bag's straps over her forehead- the weight of the bag resting against her back- and climbed.

She glanced back through the gloom to see if she could spot her pursuer, but saw nothing. The crickets were buzzing more softly now. She decided she might as well find shelter till daylight, and hauled herself higher. She clawed her way into the uneven mouth of the cave, and sat to rest.

Catching her breath, Saure peered into the darkness. She held out a hand palm-up, and summoned the fire.

Eyes the size of her outstretched palm glinted bright green reflection in the light, and squinted against it. The beast snarled and Saure screamed. The crickets fell silent.

"FIREBLOOD!" the beast shouted, and rose to his paws. He wrinkled his snout and curled his lip, revealing the tops of upper incisors, as long as her forearm. He parted his sharp teeth and hissed- a dry and raucous sound that made her jump, dousing her own light.

Heavy footfalls against damp stone. She could hear his deep breathing and felt his hot breath.

"I know what I am, but I mean you no harm! Please don't hurt me, I came to help!" she whimpered, covering her head with her arms. Her voice quivered, but she stayed where she was, even when his long whiskers tickled her arm as he sniffed at her hair.

"Please don't hurt me, I came to help. Please don't-"
He nudged her shoulder with a cold nose and she squeaked, tucking tighter into her protective ball.
"How can you understand me, manchild?" he asked softly.