Three figures stepped into the clearing.
Bandits.
Their clothes were ragged but their weapons were not.
One carried a short sword.
Another had a crossbow slung over his shoulder.
Their eyes fell on Elowen.
And then on her hair.
The firelight made it glow like molten copper.
The tallest bandit grinned.
"Well now…"
He took a step forward.
"Would you look at that."
Elowen slowly rose to her feet, her heart pounding.
"I don't have anything," she said quietly.
"That so?" the man replied.
His eyes swept over her clothes, her bag, her knife.
Then back to her hair.
"Girl like you out here alone?" he chuckled. "You must be worth something."
The other men circled slowly.
Predators closing in.
Elowen's grip tightened on the knife.
Her father had taught her to hunt.
But this…
This was different.
"Stay back," she warned.
The bandits only laughed.
The tallest one lunged.
Elowen ran.
She sprinted into the trees, branches whipping against her face as she pushed through the dark forest.
Behind her, the men shouted.
"Get her!"
Boots pounded against the ground.
They were faster.
Stronger.
One of them grabbed her cloak.
She twisted, slashing wildly with the knife.
The blade caught his arm.
He cursed and shoved her hard.
Elowen stumbled backward.
Her foot slipped on the damp leaves near the lake's edge.
She fell.
The knife flew from her hand.
The bandit stood over her now, breathing heavily.
His expression had changed.
No longer amused.
Just annoyed.
"Should've stayed by the fire," he muttered.
He raised his blade.
Elowen's mind raced.
"Little flame"
Not again.
Please—
The blade came down.
Pain exploded through her chest.
The forest spun around her.
Above her, the trees swayed in the cold wind.
The firelight flickered in the distance.
Then everything faded into darkness.
Cold air rushed into her lungs.
Elowen gasped.
The wooden door creaked open in front of her.
Her mother stood in the doorway.
"Take your things," Maris Vale said.
Elowen's blood ran cold.
Not again.