Page 153 of Where Darkness Falls

When did I decide to take a stroll in the woods?

As the sleepy haze falls from my eyes, I realize that I’m not walking underneath the trees, but I’m watching them pass by horizontally.

This is a peculiar dream.

Then, I feel something I hadn’t noticed a moment before—a pressure around my ankles, as an object is pulling me along the ground. The strange pressure changes as I feel the object adjusting its grip with agrunt.

No, it’s not an object, but rather a large…hand?

I try lifting my head; however, my body is dragged over a large hump on the ground, blocking my view of the hand around my ankle. Something sharp strikes against my back as my body trails over it like a slithering snake, only for my head to smack against the dirt once more a moment later. My eyes search my surroundings, finding roots jutting out from the ground by my head in various arrangements.

What in bloody Celestae is happening?

I attempt to move my arms, but they don’t budge from my sides. I dare to lift my head once more and find that my entire body is covered by a thick rope. It isn’t the rope that causes my heart to plummet, but the male-like creature that currently drags my body behind it. The male is a little smaller than a Malvorian or Galrosan in height. However, it’s the freakishly large hand wrapped around my ankles that causes me to panic. The knuckles alone are the size of my head. The back of the creature’s skull is elongated, with spear-like feline ears. A lopsided, pointed hat rests on its head.

“Fearghal goin’ get uh pretty silver,” the male-like creature mumbles to itself in a grumbly voice. “Whud a pretty silver Fearghal goin’ make.”

I wonder if the supplies in the cave belong to this Fearghal that he’s speaking about. It’d certainly explain why they were left in an abandoned cave, but surely one of the Cadre would’ve?—

Wait.

Whereisthe Cadre?

Where’s Emyr?

I glance side to side, seeing if any other creatures like this one are dragging them as well. I let out a sigh of relief when I don’t see them, but then terror seizes me just as quickly. If they aren’t here, then I’m alone—Celestae knows where—within these woods… with this strange creature.

My body rolls over another large root that prickles against my spine. However, this time when my head smacks the ground, I audibly yell, “Owww!” The bumbling creature stops, turning its odd head. Apimpled and distorted face with small eyes and a large nose looks at me with a mischievous smirk as drool dribbles down its rotund chin. I’m not sure which is more frightening: the hideous face or the fact that he looks like he’ll eat me as a midnight snack.

He continues dragging me along. “Well, well, well,” he beams. “Yer finally wuk up, girly. Dis makes Fearghal most ‘appy.”

“Where are you taking me?” I ask.

“Fearghal’s ‘ouse, girly,” the creature replies. “O’ whud a pretty silver Fearghal goin’ make.”

Well, this doesn’t sound good.

Either this Fearghal is going to sell me, or turn me into currency.

Neither option is one I’m willing to risk.

I attempt to wiggle a hand free of my bindings, but it’s no use. This… whatever he is… really knows how to tie someone up efficiently. I call for my starlight, but nothing happens.

Odd.

I try again, but I still encounter the same result.

My body is growing clammier with every failed attempt.

“Don’ even try, girly,” it says. “Oi tied ye up wid magic faerie rope dat even yer sterlight can’t break.”

Wait, what?

“How do you know about my ability… whatever your name is?” I inquire.

“Oi is Fearghal,” he replies. “Man wid muhney told Fearghal yer worth, girly. Promised Fearghal a silver to bring yer to ‘em. Gave Fearghal magic rope to tie ye up.”

Well, brilliant…