Malene: 22 vs Invisible Stalker: 10

Ready this time, Malene swings her new longsword, hoping to strike the creature. [Attack. Malene: 16 vs Invisible stalker: 19] But she’s swinging at the wind and misses entirely.

The creature slams itself at Malene, this time hoping to incapacitate her quickly. [Attack (power attack). Invisible Stalker: 20 vs Malene 10. Block: 6. Damage: 8] Malene is knocked backwards from the sheer **** of the attack, the breath **** out of her lungs.

This is not the kind of creature to fight, she realizes. This is the kind of creature to flee. If it found her again, it’s possible that the only safe place for her will be the Glade. She takes off running in that direction. [Flee (-1 stamina). Malene 23 vs Invisible Stalker 19]

She takes off into the woods, but the wind doesn’t let up. She feels the **** of it try to stop her in her tracks. [Grapple. Invisible stalker: 13 vs Malene 21] She forces her way forward against the wind and keeps running. [Flee (-1 stamina). Malene: 26 (natural 20) vs Invisible Stalker: 15]

Malene runs hard, deeper into the woods. She tacks away from the creature, hoping to lose it in the depths. Eventually, she realizes she’s not running against the wind. She stops, catching her breath, and waits for a moment to see if it comes for her again. When it doesn’t, she breathes a sigh of relief. She’s escaped it a second time.

The stars are now out in full **** and Malene realizes she’s run off course.