The wind blows through the trees, stirring the leaves into a dance. I feel a strange pull towards the forest, as if it is calling me to enter its secrets. From my vantage point, I can only catch the glimpses of the green canopy and the dark trunks, but my eyes are mesmerized by the sight. I walk forward, unable to tear my gaze away from the woods.

It's almost noon, and my hunger pangs are unbearable. I spotted a rabbit earlier, lying lazily on the grass. I crept towards, ready to pounce in secret, but it darted away as soon as it sensed me. I ran after  it, but it was too nimble for me. It swerved through the field, leaving me behind in a cloud of dust. I returned from the chase, humilated and dirty, with mud and grass stains on my clothes.

I hadn't paid attention to it, but my cloak looks different. Instead of the dull black it was when I first wore it, it has transformed into a a shade of red. The patterns on it have also changed into gold. When I removed it earlier to brush off the dirt on me, I noticed our emblem emblazoned on the center of the cloak. I had missed it before, but my heart swelled with pride. It felt like the cloak had acknowledged and embraced me.

I believed I was alone in this vast wilderness, but a voice from the treetops I gazed at startled me. "You have been staring at me for more than hour, and yet you have not uttered a word or made a move. Are you flaunting your magical eyes, human girl? Do you realize who you are facing?" His words were menacing, but his voice was serene and hushed.

What!? I was only looking at the trees, without any reason! But I keep that to myself and I bolt away. I can escape I think, but I am too famished and my mind is obsessed with this hunger. I end up stumbling on my own foot and falling to the ground. I moan in my agony and despair.

"You must be terrified. No wonder after what you witnessed there." The voice says, closer to me. Does he know what happened? I shake off my trance and try to mutter words, but I feel a grip on my leg and I'm lifted in the air. I turn my around and see a monster standing on both legs. It has no neck, its head is fused to its shoulders, forming a hump in the middle. It's dangling me with one of its arms that strechtes all the way to it's feet. Its body is covered in a greenish fur that resembled grass blades. The part that wasn't covered by this fur are its eyes which were comically large.

I shriek and flail my arms as I see this thing as big as a horse lift me up with ease. Then the voice says again, "Oolag, let her go. She could be injured."

Behind the monster, standing on a makeshift platform attached to its spine was a man. No. I notice his ears, the slender face, and the silky hair. An elf.

The monster named Oolag sets me down the earth. I sprawl there like a snapped twig but I recall and ask, "Do you... know what happened to my... village?"

"Yes, we were watching from afar. Making yet another record of your king's actions. To imagine you escaped from that inferno. By Mother Nature, you must be destined for something greater." the elf respnds.

I stare blankly. Destined? I only want to fulfill my father's last request. I am just a poor girl of the outskirts. I don't even know how I will cross the inner borders. My face must've glooomed, but the elf leaps down to the ground and rests on one knee and offers me his hand.

"Our forest named me Gulvan. You seem frail and hungry, allow me to escort you to my home. Young girl, you deserve rest."