CATASTROPHE

Chapter 1

Catelynna had positioned herself behind a boulder, her eyes fixed on the crimson-scaled beast soaring above the Northern mountains.

The Redtail dragon, a prize worthy of her skills.

Her hunting bow, crafted from the strongest ash wood, trembled with anticipation in her hands.

Suddenly, the dragon dove, its wings beating fiercely, sending snow swirling around her.

She drew a deep breath, focusing on the prize. Her arrow flew, striking true, but the dragon's scales deflected it.

She swiftly reloaded and fired again.

This time, the arrow pierced the dragon's shoulder, and it roared back in pain. The beast spun, its claws swiping wildly, forcing her to dodge.

She fired another arrow, then another, each one finding its mark.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the Redtail crashed to the ground, sending rocks tumbling down the mountain.

She approached it cautiously, admiring her handiwork. The Redtail's scales glistened like polished rubies in the fading light.

She carefully extracted a few with her long knife, enough to craft armor that would make her nearly invulnerable. The rest would fetch a handsome price in the nearby village.

As Catelynna descended down the mountains into the village, the sun dipped below the horizon casting orange hues in the sky.

The snow-covered peaks soon gave way to a rocky terrain, and eventually, to the village's outskirts.

The winding path, familiar from countless hunts, unwounded before her like a serpent. She easily navigated the steep trail, her boots finding sure footing on the worn stones.

The trees seemed to grow taller, their branches tangling overhead, casting eerie shadows on the ground. The air thickened with the scent of pine and earth.

She breathed deeply, feeling the tension of the hunt dissipate.

As she emerged from the forest's edge, the bustling village unfolded before her.
Smoke drifted lazily from the chimneys, carrying the aroma of baking bread and roasting meats which made Catelynna's mouth water.

Just outside the village, a small clearing beckoned.

The healer, Elarya's hut, crafted from weathered wood, stood there beckoning Catelynna to its quiet tranquility.

A small garden surrounded the hut, filled with an assortment of herbs and wildflowers.

She smiled, recognizing the familiar outline of Elara's home. The healer's wise presence had become a comforting constant in her life for the past couple of months.

She quickened her pace, deciding to sell her the rare mountain herbs she had collected during the hunt.

As she approached the hut, the door creaked open and the aged healer greeted her with a welcoming nod.

"Catelynna", the aged healer smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling, "How was the hunt?"

"Successful", Catelynna replied and handed the healer the bag of herbs, "A Redtail falls."

"Good", Elarya nodded gratefully while sorting out the herbs, "Thank you, huntress. Your herbs will soothe many wounds."

With the transaction complete, she continued on to the village market.

She sold the extra scales and hides of the Redtail to the local merchant, exchanging them for a few silver coins.

As night fell, she entered The Frosty Mug, the village tavern, to celebrate the successful hunt.