Lion Heart Ch. 3

Finally, after hours of tiring flight, Wolfheart landed under a large canopy of trees. Hidden from view, Galen began finding wood for a fire, snatching only wood and weeds and grass that would not create much smoke. After making a small flame he relaxed on the forest ground. I was not long before his eyes began close and he fell asleep. Not long after his eyes closed a man appeared to him in a dream. It was no ordinary dream, for he could see clearly as if he were awake, and began questioning whether he really was asleep or not. Then his attention suddenly focused on the silent man staring hard at him. Galen could not discern if the man was friend or foe. All is not as it appears. Be careful what you say and how you act, for you have much more authority than you could ever imagine. Beware of Balzog, for he will show you no mercy. That is all I can tell you. Fare well, powerful rider. Then he awoke. He had never thought of himself as a rider, but now that he thought about it, it was true. Who was that man? He wondered about this well into the day as they flew over the forest they had spent the night in. Wolfheart was surprisingly quiet that day and Galen got the feeling they were being watched. He looked around but saw nothing.
Suddenly an arrow zipped past them, frighteningly close to Galen’s head. Wolfheart shot up into a cloud waiting to make sure the coast was clear, then glided silently down to the ground. Both looked around cautiously, searching for their attackers. Two more arrows zipped past, one grazing Galen’s leg.
“I saw one!” Galen said, grabbing his bow and notching and arrow of his own. He pulled back and let fly, the arrow finding and killing its unsuspecting target. The attacker fell silently to the ground. Galen leaped off of Wolfheart’s back and raced toward the dead creature, only to stop in pain. His leg burned from the injury he had received, but he shrugged it off and continued. The pain returned with such utter force he screamed. He moved his clothes to take a look at the wound. It was a dark green. He shuttered at the sight of the hideous gash.
Wolfheart looked over his shoulder concerned. “That is a serious wound. You must see a doctor immediately. I fear the creature’s arrows were poisoned. You will be fine if we can get you to a doctor immediately, but if we do not reach one in time…

…You will die.”