Mist Breather

Prologue

I know what it is as soon as I hear the thunderous beating of its wings from above. The violent shaking of the enormous Thornbark trees around me, and then the horrifying, unmistakable sound of one snapping. And the horrible roar of a beast hungry for Menken blood.

I break into a hopeless sprint, despite knowing even the fastest horse couldn't outrun the monster. It must be laughing to itself at my pitiful attempt to escape. My chest rumbles intensely and I'm nearly knocked off my feet by the booming roar that escapes the scaly giant's jaws. I risk a single look back, a fraction of a glance, and all I see is a hurricane of yellow flame among the greens and browns of the forest. I can feel the scorch of the flames heating the cloak I wear against my back, even though the blaze must be at least thirty feet behind me. But it's catching up fast.

The beating of its wings resumes and the sound passes over me. That's when I realize what the creature is doing: it's cornering me. With the fire roaring behind me, I have nowhere to run. And I'm proven right when a dark red blur swoops down from the canopy of the forest, shaking the planet itself when it lands. I am going to die. I watch the gaping jaws of the beast pry apart.

Its head darts down towards me at a speed I can't track with my eyes. All I see is the white glint of sunlight on its eye and then it sinks its teeth into me, and I flicker out, silently.