READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 7: 7
Nina sits on a fallen log, the damp wood chilling her through her thin robes. Rex rests his head on her lap, his warm fur a comforting contrast to the cold. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath to the still tremor in her hands. The unsettling feeling from the woods, the strange reaction from Rex, forces her to focus. She begins to mentally review her resources, a silent inventory of her magical abilities and earthly supplies.
Her repertoire of spells is limited but useful: a basic healing spell, a protective shield, and a few minor illusion spells, mostly for distraction. Nothing powerful enough to deal with a serious threat, she realizes with a pang of anxiety. Her supplies are equally modest: the dried herbs Elara had recommended, a few healing potions, and a handful of protective charms, each imbued with a small amount of magical energy. They are hardly enough for a protracted confrontation. The wooden box remains beside her, its contents still mysterious and unsettling.
The strange herbs and crystal inside are unknown, potent, and potentially dangerous. Using them without understanding their properties could be fatal. She considers the situation: the warning from the guard, Rex's reaction to the box, the unnerving silence of the woods, the limitation of her own abilities. The feeling of being watched persists, an unseen presence lurking in the shadows. A sense of profound isolation settles upon her, heavier than the damp air around her.
The simple act of self-assessment has highlighted her vulnerability, transforming the initial fear into a cold, calculating appraisal of her chances. The woods remain silent, expectant.