Chapter 2 Cold

It was fourty degrees colder than normal in Cronemoor Forest. There was a strong wind, and even with the extra clothing it slightly hindered the group's travel.

"Commander Biri wasn't kidding," Riswynn stated as she led the group. She was a few meters ahead of the others. Disia and Nim traveled side by side behind her, while Lila took up the rear scouting for any sign of dangerous activity.

"Tell me Nim, do you feel anything in the air?" Riswynn asked, stopping for a moment.

"There is definitely something not right around here," She responded with a shiver.

They had been traveling for a few hours, keeping close to the riverbed as their compass. Small chat went back and forth as they walked and soon the trees were thicker, and it had gotten darker.

"We're nearing the middle of the forest soon," Riswynn pointed out.

"It's a good idea for all of us to be on guard now." Riswynn continued walking.

"I think we may be a little too late for that." Out of nowhere Lila's shy quiet voice was heard. Except there was a more serious tone to it than usual.

"What do you mean?" Riswynn asked as Lila pointed one of her fingers to the tops of the thick trees. All eyes followed her finger to the top of the tree, which was now moving.

"Look out," Lila shouted just as a constrictor snake came out of the branches, slithering towards Riswynn. In a split second it striked at her, but Riswynn blocked with her shield.

"Good eyes, Lila." Riswynn complimented.

"There's more," Nim announced as two more gigantic snakes slithered down from the other trees to strike the dwarf.

"Disia!!" Riswynn shouted as she blocked each strike with her shield. Instinctively, Disia rushed to the front as she pulled her great axe from her back. Lila already having drawn her bow, took aim at the first snake, firing 2 arrows in seconds. Nim's eyes went wide with admiration at Lila. She had never seen anyone fire arrows that fast.

"Nim! Some magic?" Disia yelled as she swung her axe at the other two snakes. Lila continued to fire arrow after arrow with a stern look in her face, all shyness had disappeared. Nim just stood there in awe, she never had seen monsters like this before. Not up close. She was taught everything to prepare her for things like this, but she just stood there frozen in place. She was scared, and she couldn't remember a spell. Not even her basic spell, Sacred Flame.

The giant snakes lay on the forest floor. Just as soon as they had struck, the battle had ended. As Disia began cleaning her axe Riswynn turned to look at Nim with concern.

"Nim..." She began.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I just froze and I forgot all my spells."

"Are you alright?" Disia asked her.

"I just wasn't prepared. I mean I was taught to be ready for this. It's just, I never seen any of this face to face before. It was all books and pictures." Nim looked like she was ready to cry. Lila had returned her bow to her back and after straightening her leather hide she walked over to Nim,

"I feel the same way. Around people. Where I come from there's many types of creatures, but I am not very good talking to people. Or making friends." Nim smiled at her.

"Thanks," she replied.

"I'll try harder next time." Lila returned to her belongings and picked them up.

"Shall we move on? I think there's still a few hours left in the day before we should camp." Starting to feel like she belonged, Lila was speaking more. Riswynn stared at her in surprise for a moment, then smiled.

"Yes, I suppose it would be better if we moved. No telling how many more of those things are around. Odd thing too, they usually never travel in packs. Not in Brine at least. Something is surely going on."

"Magic." Nim blurted. They looked at her.

"I just know. Being raised on it, growing up around it. It's some form of magic." She said quickly. She felt like she needed to bring something to the group, if not her spells, surely some knowledge.

"Clearly." Riswynn winked at her.

"Come on let's start moving then. Try to get a few hours ahead before the sun begins to go down. Lila be on the lookout for anything suspicious." Lila nodded and once again her face had a serious look. Her eyes darted left and right, and she moved just as nimble at the back of the group.

Within a few hours they had traveled further into the forest. The air had gotten cooler with the night approaching and the sense of magic Nim had felt when entering the forest was now stronger. They found a small area to place their camp, tight knit and close together. Disia had placed her bedroll and Nim used her blanket. Lila climbed into one of the trees and hid, she was to keep lookout while the other three slept.

Lila sat quietly in her branch, her tiny body blending in well with the darkness. The others slept soundly while she glanced about their camp. Every now and then she would gently touch the small statue in her pouch, it reminded her of her master. It was the first gift he had ever given her, at a young age. Hand crafted by him, she admired the work. One of many talented skills he had. Resembling a mouse, because that was the nickname he had given her. Quiet and small. And quick. Suddenly she was alerted to an unknown smell. Brought back to the moment her eyes were quick to search for the slightest movement. Even in the dark she could spot the stealthy movements. The smell of a beast who hungered for fleshy meat. She kneeled from her branch and drew her bow as she hissed loud enough for the others to wake,

"Black Whiskers!!"