Patreon Launch Countdown – 4 Days

The end is getting closer.  If you’re just joining us, check out the first two parts of the story in the links below.

“Mortal Wounds” Part 1

“Mortal Wounds” Part 2

“Mortal Wounds” Part 3

 

Jali contemplated.  She had tracked the creature for three days before he caused the rock slide.  She had not realized anything was amiss.  What had changed?

She stared down at her right foot, and pressed her lips together.  She some strange magic in her that protected her.  And she had his magic in her that healed her.

The creature wanted to be chased.  Jali had something she could use against him.

With deliberate movements, Jali set down her things.  She undid the ties on her pack, and went about setting up camp.  Every few minutes, flashes of white or gold caught her eye.  She ignored them.

The flashes grew at first more frequent, almost insistent, then less so.  Eventually they stopped all together.  Jali’s stomach twisted at the thought that she had lost her chance.  That the orne had slipped away.

He wants to be hunted, and only you can hunt him.  Be patient.

She built a fire, and prepared to roast a rabbit she had brought down that morning.  As she skinned the animal, her true quarry reappeared.

At the corner of Jali’s eye, the orne crept out of the trees.  He wore his human-like form, spindly legs bent so his knees pointed out.  His sharp-nailed fingers twitched as he approached her.

Though she trembled inside, Jali laid aside her rabbit skin, and carried on with her butchering.

“We had a deal,” an edge tinged the creature’s soft voice.  “You were to hunt me.  Not laze about beside a fire.”

Jali strove to keep her voice level.  “I did hunt you.  But I had to stop to rest and eat.”

“I do not care about your human frailty.  You will hunt me until I tire.  Now!”

Strange magic hummed through Jali, and jerked her upright.  She dropped her rabbit as she came clumsily to her feet.  She managed to keep hold of her knife, though she imagined that was only because it was a hunting weapon.

The orne hissed at her.  “No fun to force you.”  He tilted his head in a thoughtful manner.  “You let me heal you, so I own your life now.  Perhaps when I am done being hunted by you, I shall try to eat you again.”  He took a few leaping steps back, cackling at Jali from among the trees.  “Come little hunter.  Perhaps you can catch me before I decide to eat you up.  Or maybe I’ll go back to your village and take another villager.”

Hanni.  Jali resisted the orne’s pull, the muscles in her legs screaming in protest.  One awkward step, than another.  Her feet crunched over the uneven ground.  The orne watched her struggles with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

With a gasp, Jali made one last effort to pull herself back.  Her right leg, as if with a mind of its own, jerked forward, and stamped down.  Her foot landed on a root and slipped off, ankle twisting awkwardly.  Sharp pain lanced up her leg.

Her limbs loosened for a few precious seconds, enough for Jali to take several steps back.  The orne made an odd squeaking sound in his throat.

Pain loosens his hold.  Tightening her grip on the knife, Jali sliced it across her other palm before the orne could take control of her again.

The creature shrieked, a sound not of defeat, but of pain.

****

Come back tomorrow for Part 4.  See you then.