Lexi heads to the forest

Lexi turned her mare down the track towards the forest, deciding that there was little chance anyone would still be in the village. She reasoned the villagers would be either dead or taken captive. After all elves hated humans, believing themselves to be a superior race. To either side of the track large fields spread out, the crops looking heathy but no one tending to them. After half an hour of riding the fields stopped abruptly and gave way to nature, wild flowers, weeds and uncut grass. Shortly after the track entered the forest. Lexi dismounted and began to go through her saddle bags. Although she hated the thought of leaving her mare behind she couldn't take her into the forest. It would make her an easy target to be riding her mare in the close confines of the forest. She packed some provisions into a small backpack and hobbled her mare so she could graze. Hefting the backpack over one shoulder and giving her mare a last loving pat on the side Lexi entered the forest.

The warm, bright day gave way to cool and gloom as Lexi followed the track beneath the trees. Sunlight slanted through the few gaps and the track was uneven with roots and dips. Lexi was glad she had left her mare on the forest edge. She had been travelling most of the day and it was now changing from late afternoon to early evening she guessed from the deepening gloom. So far she had seen nothing more dangerous than a few rabbits, common birds and squirrels. She had found a small clearing just off the track and had decided to make camp for the night reasoning that travelling at night could be tricky. Lexi had gathered wood and kindling and plied it ready to make a fire but had paused wondering if a fire would be a wise decision when she heard a soft rustling sound. She stood and put her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready for an attack. A faint scent reached her nose, a sweet unusual scent, quite pleasant. It would make a good perfume Lexi thought for a moment. Long moments passed but no attack came but the faint scent persisted.