They moved through the darkness like ghosts.
Or, well, at least Raven did. Melisa mostly just tried not to trip over roots and curse too loudly when branches smacked her in the face.
The forest edge was so close she could taste it. Freedom right there, just past the treeline where her friends were waiting.
Then everything went to absolute shit.
"Movement ahead," Raven whispered, her voice barely audible.
Three darian scouts emerged from the trees, probably heading back from patrol. They spotted the fleeing women immediately.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
[Fuck fuck fuck. Of course. Of fucking course.]
"Run or fight?" Melisa asked, her heart hammering.
"Fight. Can't outrun them."
The scouts charged like angry bulls. Melisa's hands moved on pure instinct, tracing a spellsign in the air.
"Ignis, core, protev mein!"
