Chapter 42: Deals and Bonds

Sunlight blared down, painfully bright, upon Oliver. He raised a hand quickly to shield his eyes. It took him a moment to realize what was wrong.

It was daytime. Moments ago, it had been the dead of night.

Bewildered, Oliver looked around. He found himself standing in the middle of a green and grassy glen. Trees surrounded him in all directions. Oliver noticed with relief that they were of the normal variety, thick bodied pines and oak trees that shivered as the wind raced through them.

Oliver felt a slow smile spread across his face. He had made it out of the Mirrorwood alive. He would never have thought such a place could exist. Privately, Oliver resolved to never go wandering through any mysterious forests again. ‘Though,’ he thought, looking around, worry pricking his insides, ‘I may not have a choice.’