The beast ( almost juvenile in contrast, yet no less of a threat ) barely vanishes behind the top of the ascension, before the flaming serpent finally lunges and strikes, swiftly closing the illusion of a head start in a blink.
The lord's shadowy silhouette towers above all. Whether the beast met its end there and then, Rya could not tell. If not, the flames could have spread quick, making the sheltering evergreen into a scorching prison of searing black trees, devouring all it touches.
And everything she admired on their way here.
For mere seconds the air carried her the echoes of an agony. Short lived. Then, silence.
Stillness allows the harrowing realization finally to crawl its way to a naive mind. The feeble fingers reach to grab and pull the robes tighter around her form, as shock spreads a shiver over the thin bones. The threat came without a forewarning: so inevitable, and undeserved.
Her body ached from impact against the ground, her spirit crushed by an idea of somene wishing her harm. A woman never had a hand offend her for punishment, never trained to endure violence, never done a thing to claim an enemy. The small serpent knew no anger or resentment, the lack balanced by deep fear and sadness.
All the excitement washed away. The remaining forest feels suddenly cold, bare and unsafe. Far away from reassurance and care of her mother.
As soon as the shaking feet find balance, she stumbles forward. Towards her cruel champion. Bristle like grass breaks beneath her step. The closer, the ground still glows in embers. Born of blasphemy, rejected even by devouring flames, thus oblivious towards its malignant nature. How could she fear what cannot harm her?
Hands extend. Tense. Hesitating contact in a dread of rejection. When desperation is far too overwhelming, maintaining respect for her lord's request becomes non-exitent. Soon, the trembling arms find the way to lock tightly around his form. Her face may sink deep into folds of the red fabric.
If just for a moment, he granted her the form of comfort familiar to her.
