The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Hasani

Hasani ran as fast as his feet could carry him, vaulting over fallen branches and ducking under low hanging boughs. His lungs burned, the muscles in his legs ached, and the cuts and scrapes to his face and arms from running through the Vyrisian woods stung with sweat. But he could not stop moving. He couldn't hear his pursuers, but he could sense that they were catching up. He kept running, trying to maintain a path that would lead him deeper into the woods.

He was in elven lands now, surely Mothlenor's magic would not work here?

Hasani slid to a stop, pausing just long enough to look behind him. Four shadows swept their way across the forest floor, sweeping towards him. Hasani cursed, instantly moving again.

He clutched the little bag containing the stolen egg close to his chest. He should have given the egg back to Ajax before leaving them behind. But he had acted so quickly, without thinking... Could these demons take the egg back to Mothlenor? Hasani briefly thought about ditching the egg somewhere. It could be lost for forever that way, but at least Mothlenor wouldn't have it. He pushed the thought out of his head, forcing himself to run faster, to put more distance between himself and the demons. It was nearly morning, Hasani realized. How long had he been running like this? How much longer could he keep it up? Hasani focused on his breathing, trying not to trip on his own feet. He vaulted over a large log, his pursuers just behind him-

And landed in a large clearing. Hasani blinked, surprised and very aware of his sudden vulnerability. He saw another figure, half hidden, standing just across the clearing. He ran towards him. "Please, you have to help me." He was vaguely aware that the other man held a bow, aimed right at him. "Help, there are demons-"

Hasani felt a sudden piercing sensation in his chest, knocking the breath out of him. He stumbled forward a few steps before falling to his knees.

Did he just hit me? He looked down. There was no arrow, but there was blood. Great Ones, so much blood...

He felt someone grab him, guide him down to the ground. Looking up, he saw a man with long dark hair and kind eyes. Long ears with sharply pointed tips accented the otherwise normal features. An elf, Hasani thought. His head rolled to the side, and he saw the little golden egg roll out of his bag and come to a rest just out of his reach. He tried to stretch out his arm, to grab hold of it, but he felt too weak to move, and his eyes grew too heavy to focus on the egg.

Please don't let him get it, Hasani thought. He shut his eyes, too tired to fight any longer.