Old Friend in the Bloodwood

The horses stopped their clomping. The carriage window slid open, and then Olpi announced, "Everyone, we have arrived."

After days of travel, Doevm, like the rest of the group, shambled out of the carriage's musty darkness. They all groaned, slapped awake by the cold evening. Doevm rubbed his eyes and he found himself on a dirt road sandwiched by frosted plains. The Bloodwood forest awaited just ahead. At least he could stretch his legs during the last mile.

"Who's going to watch the horses?" Frey yawned.

"You almost sound like you want to stay behind," Elero still had the energy to fuel her sarcasm.

Frey shrugged. "This forest damn-near killed me once already. Just one cut and it will suck all the blood from your body."