Page 73 (1/2)

Fuck, this sucks, I thought, and bent so that etting louder I swung down my knifed hand It trembled as it waited, ready to jump up at any moment

“C’ a bit more

My foot slipped, and I fell against the branch,down I scrabbled to get back up as the creature jumped

Now or never, folks!

No, no, no, no, no! my animal replied

Too late I waited until those jaws snapped a foot fro toward it The creature hit the ground but couldn’t move in time I tumbled down on top of its head, two hands on the knife hilt and thrusting doard I jammed the blade at the base of its fin, between its shoulder blades

It howled and snapped, catching o I used the knife to drag the thing doithto dwindle I dodged the bite and yanked out the knife, punching into the thing’s throat and pushing upward It scraped s with its front claws, and I wished I’d worn Nyfain’s leathers after all Blood showered me, but I kept at it It floundered and then crashed down, really fucking heavy

I cliony, andHannon hadn’t healed up before I just had to make it to him

Pulling my animal back to center, I let her take the lead Her power doused the pain a little, and we hobble-jogged along the path A sigh of relief eased out of me as familiar landmarks came into view We were close to home

I took a quick detour, backtracking just a bit, and hurried to the everlass field Hannon surely had some left from my last harvest, but I didn’t want to take it all Goddess knew I’d need soashes

The birch rose ahead of ht—until I re

“Oh crap—”

Too late It shook and waved, its branches groaning and its leaves shaking Might as well summon all the curious creatures in this wood