<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/4ab5/f/2006/346/e/9/speedpaint__green_hills_by_i_netgrafx.jpg)</div><br/>The Kryptgarden Forest was a morose stretch of land that hugged the Sword Mountains. Local superstitions said it was haunted, whether it be tales of willowisps leading farmers to misfortune or hags abducting some poor girl (always the next town over) to have their way with before turning them into thralls, something wasnt right about the forest. Colors seem to fade when one ventured deep into it, even sound felt hollow there.<br/><br/>None of that mattered at the moment to Cinder as she crashed through a dense copse trying to evade her pursuers. Her lungs and legs ached from the exertion, but to stop meant capture. She already lost her horse along the road, it bolted when she suddenly found herself choking for air and swinging out of her saddle. A quick slice from her impossibly sharp dagger meant she was sporting a tight noose necktie that ended in a frayed cut about a foot behind her now.<br/><br/>They were four, but Cinder's quick surprise escape meant one was dying from a deep crimson smile at his neck. As it was, three massive greenskined orcs were behind her, slave tackle in tow. She was sure it would have been the end of her had they simply wanted her dead. Hearing their gutteral shouts she picked out words and phrases like "elf bitch" "fuck 'er gud" and "welp 'er", though, being dead might the preferred way to go.<br/><br/>If she didn't do something soon, she would be in their clutches, and who knew when... or ever... she would have a chance to escape.<br/><br/>