Aksha lay at the feet of alduin, his eyes intelligently roving over the old man.
Seeking to awake the mage, Aksha gently nudged him with his snout, the old man didn't wake, he didn't even stir.
Aksha sighed inwardly, the old man had gotten weaker every passing year, now he could barely leave the tree, without aid.
The magic in the forest was dying, and with it Alduin, this saddened Aksha, he had known no family and Alduin was the closest he had to one.
The sound of thunderous footfall echoed in the distance, Aksha turned his head to face the sound, leaping into the shadow of the trees, he vanished.
---
Twenty men pushed through the forest, cutting down greenery when it impeded their way.
Aksha narrowed his eyes, this was the reason the greatforest was dying, the reason Alduin was dying.
Aksha was angry, but he was no fool, he wouldn't stand a chance against twenty men, all armoured and armed.
He turned away, the humans were not heading towards Alduin, they did not matter anymore, for he had smelled a familiar scent.
Rose.
---
He had seen the girl on the edge of the forest, running around and playing many times.
But now he smelled fear, his muscular limbs tightened, his claw releasing the branch, he lunged forward in a burst of speed.
He would protect her.
