An Opener

The forest was darker than she could imagine. Only a little light from above the canopy filtered down to relieve the shadows sufficiently for her to know she was still on the trail. one moment she could see the track, then as if a candle had been blown out, the gloom moments before.

Kalenna's tensed at the sunless wood as all her childhood fears about being alone in the dark surfaced. She reined in her horse.

With her whole body trembling at being lost in the ill-lit forest, she peered ahead to try and find her way back to a brighter spot. But it wasn't the track she was supposed to be on. It looked unused and would have been overgrown but for the struggle the undergrowth had in growing in the faint light. Where was she?

With the intention of retracing her steps, she turned to see where she'd come from. The path had vanished. A wall of tree trunks barred easy retreat. And yet, she was sure she'd been on a defined path moments before.

An eerie call resounded from somewhere deep in the forest that sent shivers down her spine.

Frightened by the unatural call, her mount reared up throwing her. Kalenna crashed to the ground.