Despite a heavy canopy, shafts of glaring radiance bar into the mesh-work, probing for various points of entry. But within the cooler belly of this cheerless wood, the afternoon heat is jaded and my parched skin is given the chance to mitigate discomfort. Even so, a soft lament of affliction wrests free. My skirting pluck couldn’t push me any further. Caving, I lower my head – hovering inches from that soft litter of weed and leaf. Dejected, slender appendages begin to tremble; losing ground as my resolve corrodes. The flesh groans, pleading resentfully to my steadfast -stupid- determination. The color in my vision wavers; the eclipse seeps from outer corners and progresses at a snail pace inward.

Knife-like ears sag as my rebellious shell crumbles into the cool, uneven sod. Limbs buckle and feathers strain apart – instinctively attempting to adjust and protect against abuse. A dirty wad of sweat infused hair flops over the delicate span of my face, dancing in front of my eyes. Nostrils quiver, dragging gently as their owner beckons for continuous gulps of stifling air.

A spasmodic, razor sharp throb digs into my right haunch; I wholly construct the animation of those nasty, black thorns as they threaten to lacerate just below the fur line. Patchy shutters widen, the dazed iris tapers rearmost– a throat tightening mix of fear and anxiety become fuel for my paranoia. I force my head to rise and wrench over the unkempt floor. The folds of these damp brims inch apart, rigged to shred a lasting mark into my imagined attacker. Though…to a logical eye, it would be a useless gesture of force, considering my weapons are weakly brandished.

Ivories seal upon the nearest prong with deadly intent, the splintered, foul taste of wood sneers into my senses – re-awaking some semblance of sanity. The wooden bough snaps and my sprig assassin falls to the ground. I drop the branch, squinting at it through a fog of mania as my thundering heart whispers false comfort, ‘they can’t find you,’ my wounded mind and failing rationality disagree.

Above the white noise and solid pounding in my head, I hear the forest shuffle…Panic restarts, my throbbing pulse canters into overdrive; buckets of blood ascend, filling my head until a faintness wanes upon the surface – threatening to overwhelm my consciousness. Lips slither back, revealing the yellowish knives beneath…I snag a glimpse of blond fur between trees. Heat rises to my face as terror hauls itself across the surface of my mind, distorting the image of him.

I wouldn’t surrender to him without a fight…

They wouldn’t wear or sleep upon my hide without first earning a maim by which to remember me.

He…

When the plaid giant comes into view…realization of my fault gradually dawns. He speaks; alien vocals that produce a soft, masculine voice…wealthy in strength and lacking the usual sting I’d come to except…My brain stutters to a stop. He wasn’t…HE isn’t THAT gilden monster…

I twist to face him…swallowing the waves of uncertainty as they break. Nostrils drag, sipping his essence from the stagnate air. Salt and something…foreign. Irises drift, sliding from that wide rim to the feathered arms nestled against his fidgeting carcass. Motley flesh and pale feathers; both of which are forged with steel cords and decorated in generous swaths of lustrous hair. He is a king…a prince…

Once more, I’ve found myself at the mercy of a more powerful, terrifying opponent.