1 Chapter One

The woods were quiet as I moved through the leaves. My eyes searching for the shape of a human, and getting tricked by tree trunks and branches. I barely breathed as I was approaching the border… I stopped and listened for a minute… Nothing.

I could turn back, I hadn't trespassed yet… No, I'm not turning back. Taking a deep breath, I pressed on. Not far now. Everything seemed to be moving so slowly, and the dead silence felt so isolating.

There was a far off crack, followed by a hiss. I looked up into the sky as dread crept through me,and sure enough I saw a small smoke trail rise from the ground… BANG. I darted between the trees as the green explosion grew in the sky, briefly lighting up woods.

The very ground seemed to come alive, as all kinds of creatures raced away from the sound. We had woken the entire world, and soon the shouts of guards became mingled with animal screeches and cries.

I was breathing so fast I almost made myself dizzy, as the greenery blurred into itself. Fire was visible between the trees, the human camp so close. However, so were the guards. They ran towards me, and I braced for battle.

I drew my daggers and slid under the first attackers sword, slashing at the armour on her leg, causing a dull ringing sound. The second tried running at me, sword ready to swing. Blocking his attack with my daggers, I kicked his breastplate as hard as I could to send him flying.

Back on her feet, the first carefully stepped towards me. I lunged at her, and managed to catch her sword with a dagger and pulled it to her side, plunging the other into her throat. As I pulled my blade out, her blood violently spewed out and covered me head to toe.

Her armour clinked as she fell, and anger took over the remaining guard as he attacked. Barely deflecting his sword, I lost balance. I could only parry his offence as I tried to regain my feet. Jumping to the side, I centred myself out of his reach.

He came towards me again, slashing at me. I blocked his sword, and spun my daggers to break his grip. The sword lay on the dirt, and as he dove for it I flattened him to the ground, and stabbed my blade into the back of his neck.

Whirling around to find the glow of the fire, I rose to my feet. My breathing was shallow as I came to the realisation; these were my first kills. As I watched the fire I heard the cries of a battle at the camp, and started to stumble over.

Steadily my footing became more sure, and I confidently jumped through the last of the bushes to lay my eyes on the bloody scene of the camp.