Harsh forest life 1

I decided to leave this dilemma for another time and set my sights on the prey. I dug my talons into the tree bark, swiftly and quietly climbing onto a tall and sturdy branch. I spent the next half-hour silently following them, listening to their discussions. Whenever they moved out of my sensory range, I would flap my wings and find the next branch to perch on. During this time, the elf kept cursing them out, single-handedly expanding my vocabulary to an extent I didn't think possible.

The orc pair, on the other hand, seemed to share a single brain cell between the two of them. They didn't even spare the necessary brainpower to occasionally survey their surroundings for potential threats. It made me question the great effort I put into keeping myself distant and hidden, but I maintained my caution nonetheless.

They walked in a straight line towards their destination. This way, I learned where their hideout was without needing to get too close. Not wanting to allow them any closer to potential allies, I decided to act. Not only would the two of them serve as a great meal, but due to their higher-stage soul cores, I hoped that killing them would allow me to evolve as well. It was risky, but unlike my encounter with the dire wolf, I had the element of surprise, and these two seemed much less threatening than the cunning canine.

With an energetic flapping of my wings, I ascended to the sky, positioning myself directly above them, and then dove down.

—

Elera's heart raced as she slipped through the palace corridors, her footsteps silent on the polished floors. The moonlight streamed through the high arched windows, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls. She knew every twist and turn of this ancient structure, but tonight, it felt like a labyrinth designed to trap her. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she reached the servants' entrance, a small door hidden behind a tapestry depicting a scene of elven warriors.

She pressed her ear against the door, listening intently for any sounds of the guards. Hearing nothing, she carefully turned the handle and slipped outside into the cool night air. The courtyard was empty, the guards having changed shifts only moments ago. She had timed it perfectly, but still, she moved quickly, her slender form darting from shadow to shadow.

The palace gates loomed ahead, heavily guarded as always. Elera bit her lip, scanning for the recently found weak spot in their defenses that she had overheard the servants gossiping about. There, on the eastern side, a section of the wall had crumbled slightly, creating a narrow gap just large enough for her to squeeze through. 

The palace had already contacted the best builder in the city to remedy the issue and he would begin the work tomorrow. This felt like a small heaven-sent gift in her hour of need.She hurried over, glancing around to ensure she was not seen, then slipped her slender frame through the gap, feeling the rough stone scrape against her arms.

Once outside the palace grounds, Elera broke into a run. The forest edge was not far, but it felt like an eternity before she reached the dense line of trees. She paused at the outskirts, her chest heaving, and looked back at the palace that had been her home for all her life. A mixture of fear and exhilaration washed over her. She was finally free from the looming threat of being sold off, but now, the unknown dangers of the forest awaited her.

As she stepped into the forest, the canopy of leaves above her blocked out the moonlight, casting her into near darkness. The sounds of nocturnal creatures filled the air – the hoot of an owl, the rustling of leaves, the distant howl of a wolf. Elera's skin prickled with every sound, her imagination conjuring up various scenarios of predators lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.

She walked deeper into the forest, her eyes struggling to adjust to the dim light. The ground was uneven, roots and rocks tripping her as she stumbled forward. Finding a place to rest was proving more difficult than she had anticipated. Every nook and hollow seemed to be filled with the threat of unseen eyes watching her.

Eventually, she found a small clearing with a large tree at its center. Exhausted, she sat down against the tree, drawing her knees up to her chest. The ground was hard and cold, but it was the best she could find. She wrapped her cloak tightly around her, trying to ward off the chill of the night.

Sleep eluded her as she lay there, her mind racing with thoughts of what she had left behind and what lay ahead. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, made her jump, her heart pounding in her chest. She could almost hear the whispering voices of predators, waiting for the right moment to strike. The hours dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity.

As dawn began to break, the first light of day filtering through the trees, Elera finally allowed herself to relax slightly. The forest seemed less threatening in the light of day, but the realization of her predicament hit her hard. She was alone, with no clear plan and no idea what dangers she might face. But she was determined to survive, to find a new path that did not involve being a pawn in someone else's game. With that thought, she stood up, dusted herself off, and prepared to face whatever challenges the new day would bring.

Elera spent the first day of her newfound freedom trying to acclimate to her surroundings. The forest, while beautiful in the daylight, was also unforgiving. Her initial attempts to utilize her druid magic were met with frustration and failure. Conversing with plants proved to be almost entirely useless. The stationary nature of trees and bushes meant they had little insight into the immediate dangers or helpful paths within the forest. Their slow, methodical observations of time offered no quick solutions or guidance that she could use.

Desperate for sustenance, Elera knew she needed to find food. As a wood elf, she was bound by the traditions of her people who were strict omnivores. They revered plant life and refused to harm it, which meant foraging for berries or edible plants was out of the question. This left her with the daunting task of hunting animals.