The golem chased me far into the forest. Until I reached a stream. It was deep enough to bury the thing. It probably knew what I had in mind, as it stopped running upon reaching me. Crap, I can’t lure it over if words have no effect and if the bloody thing is smart enough to not brainlessly charge at me. What can I do?

This is going to be crazy, but it’s worth a shot. I shout at it, conveying my intentions before charging directly towards it. The golem picks up pace once more and attacks, it must have figured that if it could stop quick enough, it wouldn’t fall into the stream. But I have plans for it, up until now all I’ve done to evade is to dodge towards the sides or over it. It won’t be expecting this! As we’re about clash into one and another, I slid onto the ground and caught its neck in a choke. I couldn’t suffocate him as he was made of rocks, but I held on tight as he pushed me forward with its hind-legs. It lifted me up before slamming me back down into the ground. I nearly lost my grip as the oxygen left my lungs. Before it could hurt me again, with all my strength. I kick both of its legs out and lift him by the neck. I didn’t have the strength to keep him up, nor did I have it in me to slam him down. But what I did instead was better. I simply dropped backwards back onto the ground and released him. Dropping him into the stream.

I immediately turned over to see whether it could climb back up. I watched as it tried, but the combination of water and mud kept it down. The red strains that kept it together faded before the rocks crumbled into the dirt. My parts finished here, time to return to Richard. I hope he’s doing okay.

Desperation grew as I searched for Richard. There are footprints fucking everywhere. How am I supposed to track him like this? Richard, he was my first pawn, my first ally, my first friend. I didn’t think I’d feel at such a loss to lose him. I guess the peaceful moments I’ve shared with him affected me more than I’d have liked.

“You, lady. What in the Pope’s name are you doing in this forest all alone? Are you lost?” I snapped back to my senses and glanced up. A group of fifteen men clad in armour and weapons stood at a distance. Their hands rested on the pommels of their blades. Do they know what I am?

“I am lost. I came here with a companion, but we were attacked by a beast. We ran separate directions and now I am unable to find him. Have you good men seen him?” The man in the lead turned to his men, I’m unable to hear their whispers. Show men a little bit of weakness and they’ll instinctively help.

“No, we haven’t. We haven’t seen a single soul out here except you. May we escort you out of this wicked place?” Damn, that sucks.

“No thank you. I will continue to search for my companion a little more before retreating.” This isn’t the time, I need to find Richard dead or alive. I’ll need to confirm it. I turned to leave but the men came closer.

“My lady, this forest isn’t safe. An evil witch has made it her fortress. Countless good men have perished to her wickedness. Come, let us escort you to safety.” He aggressively caught my shoulder. I turned to meet his thorough-gaze and saw nothing but greed. He nodded towards his men, who in turn quickly surrounded me with their weapons out.