9. A lone deer.

Annake almost stumbles into the creature, but both skid to a stop just before collision. She finds herself face to face with a young deer. The thought crosses her mind that she’ll need more food for the days ahead and her grip tightens around her dagger. The deer seems to see her preparing to attack and fear flashes across its eyes.

[The deer tries to run: 19. Vs Annake: 16]

Both burst forward at exactly the same time. Annake is able to keep pace behind it quite easily. But it is certainly faster than her. She sees her opening to attack, but a thought flashes across her mind: she shouldn’t run too far from the path.

In that moment she decides to let it go and hopes to be able to forage or hunt enough tomorrow to fill her belly. At least she’s sated for today.

[+20 xp]

The deer darts deeper into the forest and Annake takes a moment to reorient herself.