Through the woods

Sygnya wouldn't stay on the path, no matter how much Laandra called after her.

They had left home early in the morning, leaving Tolaan lay sleepy in the bed. Of course, he had tried to change her mind, the evening before, when Laandra had expressed her wish to go alone to Azure Watch.

"It's still dangerous out there", he had pleaded with her. " Crazed lashers and bears and Light knows what. This land is far from being healed..."

" But I can take care of myself and Sygnya!" she had reasoned, keeping up a determined look."I'm tired of sitting here all day long.The journey will be fun, for the both of us. We'll keep the road and the road is safe...there are guards just up to Stilpine Hold, you've told me that...!"

" And you can for once do the cooking and water the flowers, if you please..."

She had woken up early enough for him not to be willing to start the discussion again. Dressed Sygnya properly for the road, put on herself a warm, furry cloak and boots.

Laandra felt rested and cheerful after a night without gloomy dreams. But as they treaded down the main road that lead straight into Azure Watch, she had started to worry a bit, since Sygnya was like living silver, jumping from one side of the path to the other and sometimes venturing into the green tickets that lined the hills.

" Sygnya, don't go too far", she yelled out, for the tenth time in the last quarter of an hour or so.

The girl was drawing the soul out of her, she thought, trying to keep up with her. A joyful child she was, eyes sparkling with light and innocence...well, especially when she did some mischief, Laandra thought.

Then, suddenly, there was a scream.

Sygnya was nowhere to be seen, and cursing herself for being reckless and careless,Laandra rushed towards the place where the screams came from.

To her utter despair, she saw Sygnya, lying to the ground, not hurt,not yet, but uselessly trying to get up, while the wild beast was approaching...