Melianarrheyal

by G. Deyke

  ~*~

  A single day's running brings us near the edge of the wood, and here the wolf leaves us. “There lies the Eastern edge of the wood you seek,” he says. “It may be an hour's walk for your small legs, but it is not safe to sleep any nearer.” For already it is night. The cold gray world has grown colder still, and darker.

  “You shall not see me again,” says the wolf. “Farewell. Find your treasures, and bring us our dragons, for we shall not live much longer without them.”

  “Farewell, and thank you!” Therrin cries after him as he runs into the night; and then he is gone.

  Long into the night I lie awake, afraid to sleep here in this cold strange world, with the curse so near me. I watch the sky, and am frightened anew as the moon comes forth from behind a thick cover of cloud: for the moon is silver here.

  When sleep comes to me at last it is cold and empty, and I awake from it barely refreshed; but at least there are no dreams this night.