My lungs screamed for air, and my chest wanted to explode. But I held my breath. Convinced they would hear me if I did, scared they could hear my frantic heart raging against my ribs. The only thing I dared to do was blink. Again and again, I blinked in a desperate attempt to see clear through the tears. I'm still struggling to believe my own eyes.
Bright, burning sun rays burned my eyes, casting the creatures like shadows behind the forest line. Massive. The first thing that came to mind was minotaur's. Half man, half bull. They were walking up on two legs, bulky and tall, towering over bushes and small threes. Two curved horns pointed up towards the blue sky. I've never heard anyone talk about bull shifters, cows, or anything. Could it really be Minotaur's?
Luckily, they didn't seem to notice me and kept bulldozing through the forest. They were loud and careless. They were grunting and laughing. Threes bent to the sides, branches, and twigs breaking. The sunlight hit them differently as they made their way further ahead, and I gasped. Trolls! As the light brushed over their faces, there was no doubt in my mind. But I never seen or heard of trolls with horns! Grim dark faces, big noses, and massive mouths. It looked like teeth had been thrown into their gaping mouths. White canines, rounded stubs, green, yellow, and even some grey granite. All in different sizes and shapes.
Their small and black eyes were placed deep into their skulls like perfectly round rocks. Their skin is the texture of a cold mountainside covered in patches of moss and withered straws. Wow, they really do look like some of the old descriptions from the old legends and stories we were told back home as kids. Gruesome and grim. Scarry actually! But what the hell are they doing here? As far as I know, they belong under the ground, at a strange limbo level between hell and here. They are not supposed to be able to travel between the levels.
A cold shadow grew from the back of my mind - a raspy wisher. My lips curled up to a smile. My heart slowed down, and my mind stopped pacing as I watched the creatures fade into the dense shadows of the forest. Stupid creatures. All muscles, no brain! A few mindless bodyguards and fools to run my errands would make my day easier! Ah, or maybe follow them. Either they will lead me to a portal or entrance that should not exist or to their private den. Trolls are known to collect. Their dens are filled with what they treasure the most. It can be anything from gold, treasures, coins, and diamonds to dried leaves, rocks, cones, or trash. You just never know. Books, magic spells, cursed or spell-cast objects.
Strong and powerful, the dark shadow filled me. It made me feel better. No, better than better, I feel invincible! Nothing in this world could stop me, and these trolls represented riches or possibly unknown powers!
Pop! I felt my pupils wide as my head snapped to the side, and my eyes focused on the little pinecone. Basking in sunlight, its warm brown shades popped. So bright, but yet so pure. A simple pinecone. Layer after layer, perfectly shaped with all its imperfections. A breeze of air brushed against the cone, and with a deep breath that earthy calm sent filled my nostrils. I frowned. What the hell. What was I thinking? I don't have time for this. I am still behind the fay king, and I am risking it all for what? Children's night stories and fables about trolls and riches? Get a fucking grip!
Like a cat I jumped up and crouched down again. Moving swiftly but paying more attention to my surroundings than I did before. Watching the trolls march through the woods like they did remind me to be more careful. You never know who´s out there, or what.
Avoiding branches, twigs and dried leaves on the ground my eyes constantly swept the area around and in front of me. By the time the sun had started its way back down, I was exhausted. With all muscles on high alert, while still forcing myself to move without a sound. Touching the moss-covered forest ground softly, moving silently like a hunting cat. All my senses stretched to the limit. Listening for everything, new sounds, new patterns, was there a sudden silence or a snap from a breaking twig in between the bushes ahead of me? My eyes moved constantly, scanning the forest, my next step on the ground, the winds directions between the threes. Over and over again, covering a constantly changing area for anything or nothing.
With a gasp for air, I slumped down, and let my back slide down against the cold mountain side. In a little deepening into the stone wall, I found shadow and a little place to breathe. The stones where cold and soothing. My heart slammed against my chest, and my pulse thumped through my entire body. I could feel my own heart beats between my lips, my lungs stung with each deep breath. Muscles ache and my head was about to explode.
In the bottom of the backpack, I found a leather canteen and I swear I could have cried! Maya had made sure to fill it to the brim with ice cold water. Cold water dripper overt my lips, spilled down my cheek and collar bone, like a magical elixir. It was so soothing, filling me with a strange sensation of pleasure. It filled a need so strong I moaned in gratitude. It took me too long but finally my body started relaxing, my shoulders fell back and leaned on the cold stone. All I could hear was birds chirping, a doe calls your its young and a couple of crickets.
My heart founds its regular rhythm, and my pulse stopped trying to thump through my skin. Dusk came sneaking; shadows grew longer, and a bright pink and purple color blushed behind the mountain peaks. Mesmerized I watched the sky turn into the most beautiful painting. Bright and blushing, all shades of pink, purple and warm orange created a magical water painting against the darkening sky. A gentle brush of air reminded me it is getting late. The warm, almost suffocating wind had turned crisp and rough against bare skin.
Quickly I gathered my things and threw the backpack over my shoulder. This would be the best time to travelled through the thickest part of the forest. That place would turn into a moist and warm sauna. Torture this time of the year! Impossible to run, that would make me dehydrated and delusional so fast it would be to late when I finally noticed myself.
I felt energized! Each step bounced with newly found motivation and hope.
My heart almost jumped up my throat and out of my mouth. My hand slammed over my mouth to kill the little scream of surprise. My feet began backtracking before I managed to get my head around, causing me to jog a couple of steps back before I rolled around sliding down the rocky side. Fuck! The Fay kings guards!