Lady Aveline's Journey Part 2
An hour later
The path ahead was shrouded in the dappled light of the forest, the leaves above forming a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight. As Aveline ventured deeper into the wilderness, her mind remained focused, her senses sharp.
'This journey is pretty peaceful huh'
Her thoughts were interrupted as her steed started to act up and didn't wish to move forward, however she calmed the fearful horse down
"Steady, Vigilant," she murmured, her voice a soothing reassurance to her faithful steed. The horse's hooves clattered softly against the rugged terrain, carrying her forward with a steady gait.
The forest around her was alive with the sounds of nature—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant gurgling of a hidden stream. Yet, an unspoken tension lingered in the air, as though the very woods were holding their breath, aware of a looming threat.
In the distance, Aveline's sharp eyes caught movement—a trio of shadowy figures that began leaping towards them, using the bushes as cover. She tightened her grip on the reins, her heart quickening as the figures drew closer. Three wolves, their fur mottled with shades of gray and brown, emerged from the dense foliage, their predatory gaze locked onto the hapless intruder in their territory. Aveline's heart raced as her training kicked in, and she knew she had to act swiftly.
The first wolf, a hulking brute with piercing yellow eyes, lunged forward with bared fangs. Aveline's gauntleted hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, and with a fluid motion, she drew the blade from its scabbard. The polished steel gleamed wickedly in the dappled sunlight.
In her mind, thoughts raced.
'Keep your composure, Aveline. Remember your training. They are just savage beasts, nothing more.'
Her inner mantra served to steel her resolve as she met the wolf's charge head-on. With a swift, precise strike, she thrust her sword into the creature's side, the blade sinking deep into its flesh.
A guttural yelp of pain filled the forest as the wounded wolf staggered back, blood oozing from the wound. But the other two wolves wasted no time, their instincts driving them into a coordinated assault. One leaped for her left side, while the other circled to her right.
Aveline, her movements honed through years of combat, pivoted gracefully to meet the wolf on her left. She parried its snapping jaws with her sword, her gauntlet protecting her forearm from its sharp teeth. With a swift kick, she sent the wolf tumbling backward, buying herself a momentary respite.
The third wolf circled closer, its eyes locked onto Aveline's exposed flank. In a desperate manoeuvre, she swung her sword wide, forcing the approaching wolf to leap back to avoid the deadly arc of steel.
Aveline's heart pounded as she assessed her situation. She had injured one wolf, but the other two remained a formidable threat. Her armour had protected her from the initial assault, but she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
'Focus, Aveline,' she thought, her breath coming in measured, controlled breaths. She knew she had to finish this battle quickly. With renewed determination, she steadied her stance, waiting for the next wolf to make its move.
The remaining two wolves circled, their yellow eyes locked onto Aveline's every move. They moved with a predatory grace, muscles rippling beneath their fur as they closed in, seeking an opportunity to strike.
Aveline couldn't afford to wait for them to attack again. She needed to take control of the situation. With a quick glance, she assessed the terrain. Dense trees surrounded her, offering some cover but limiting her mobility. She needed to lure the wolves into a position that would give her the advantage.
As the largest wolf, the one she had wounded, regained its footing and growled menacingly, Aveline made her move. She backed up slowly, leading the wolves away from the thick woods and toward a small clearing. Her armoured boots crunched softly on the forest floor, her eyes never leaving the circling predators.
The wolves, sensing her retreat, became bolder. They closed in, their snarls growing louder. Aveline's heart raced as she neared the edge of the clearing. This was her chance. She needed to make a stand here, where the open ground would limit the wolves' ability to attack from all sides.
With a sudden, fluid motion, Aveline turned to face the approaching wolves. Her sword was poised and ready, gleaming in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the leaves above. She locked eyes with the largest wolf, the wounded one, and dared it to come closer.
The wolf hesitated for a moment, as if sensing the change in the situation. Aveline held her ground, her steely gaze unwavering.
'Come on, you foul beasts. Make your move,' she thought, her grip on her sword unwavering.
The wounded wolf let out a low growl and lunged forward, jaws snapping. Aveline met its attack with a fierce slash of her sword, catching the creature off guard. The blade connected with its throat, and hot blood sprayed out as the wolf's lifeless body collapsed at her feet.
But there was no time to revel in her victory. The remaining wolf, its packmate felled, launched itself at her with a frenzied fury. Aveline parried its attack, the clash of steel against fang ringing through the clearing.
The battle raged on, the forest echoing with the sounds of combat. Aveline's armour bore the marks of the wolf's desperate strikes, and she had a gash on her arm from a close encounter. But she remained resolute, determined to emerge victorious.
With a final, well-timed strike, Aveline drove her sword through the heart of the last wolf. It let out a pained whimper before collapsing, its yellow eyes dimming.
Aveline stood in the clearing, chest heaving, surrounded by the fallen wolves. She had emerged victorious, but not unscathed. The adrenaline that had fueled her during the battle began to wane, leaving her feeling the weight of her injuries.
'Now, onwards to the prophet,' she thought, her determination undiminished. She wiped her blade clean and continued her journey through the forest
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