Lord of the forest

The capture

As the hansom man drew a grenade-like something from that black box, a wave of dread fell on the Boy and Galen; they shared a worried look, the boy summoning a green vine that wrapped protectively around both of them and shielding them from what they thought would be bullets or a big explosion.

With a quick flick, he sent it toward the cocoon; it cut through the air, sailing with deadly precision. Panic held as the grenade exploded on impact, spewing forth noxious green gas that engulfed the clearing.

Even from inside his vines, the boy shuddered as the shaking shook the earth; the debris of dug-up ground buries itself onto the vine roof above them, making the sound of rain pattering on your window. As the explosion started to die down, the vines stared to unwind themselves, unveiling the two. Everywhere around them, what shocked their view was the thick layer of emerald green fog that wafted around them.

He squinted his doe eyes around, trying to make out into the guts of the forest for the tree line through the mist. He drew in a sharp breath out of frustration but was soon winded by his own advisor. The urgency showed in the elks shining eyes as he gasped "my lord don't breath it in, this is sleeping gas it only works on humans and I'm sorry to say my lord but you are still human," he sighed the last bit but panic swirled in the boys doe eyes and tried holding his breath. But the damage had been done.

Drowsiness hit the Boy, his sight misty gray, as if he were smothered by a heavy blanket. The Boy clung on to Galen's back with a wavering grace, conscious only of his slipping breath. Feeling his rider's distress, Galen bolted into the safety of the forest, though this flight was not destined to last long.

Before they could merge into the heavy foliage, a net fell, entrapping them both in its remorseless grasp. Helpless and disoriented, the Boy could only watch through half-lidded eyes as the Hansom man loomed over them, a triumphant smirk playing upon his lips. The boy lay helplessly on the floor, the glaze of sleep slowly taking over his consciousness, which he stared at.

As the darkness closed in about him, the Boy struggled with all his might to keep awake, his eyes riveted upon the unknown figure in front. By a supreme effort he heard the terrible words of the hansom man ere he fainted, the promise of danger and uncertainty echoing through his fading consciousness like a haunting refrain. And as the forest gave back the sound of his fall into darkness, as he shut his eyes finally he could hear the anguished call of animals who saw him and Galen helpless, he heard grunts and struggles of elk as coiled next to him. As his hearing faded, all he could feel before succumbing into sleep was being picked up by two big, strong arms that seemed to welcome him into their embrace, as they clichéd him tightly like if they didn't, he would fly away into the distance.