Nightfall (Book 1) by L. R. Flint

though this time I was more aware of their existence and with my heightened senses I could hear them more clearly and they seemed to be coming from a much closer location.
    After a quick decision I headed in the direction where I guessed I would find the mountain on which Koldobika and Alaia had parted ways, in the dream I had so long ago. I could only hope that I would come across it sometime along the path I was taking, as I followed the sun on its Westward journey.
    After hours of treading through the shadowy forest of towering black oaks I happened upon a huge, dusky clearing where the sunlight filtered weakly from the canopy above. I stopped at the edge of the clearing, surveying its edges to make sure I had not run into anything unwelcome. The floor of the clearing was covered in dark moss and black ferns, just as every other stretch of ground I had seen throughout the forest.
    While digging in my pack for a flask of water, my hand touched a cold piece of metal and I pulled out a dagger with a blade the length of my hand; my name was engraved alongside the fuller, or blood groove. The quillon and pommel were intricately carved, the hilt was wrapped in black, leather cord, and the leather sheath was the same color. Once finished with the flask, I returned it to my pack and turned my attention back to the curious dagger. I hooked the sheath to my belt and held the knife in my hand, admiring the carvings covering the handle. I next examined the blade; it was perfectly smooth except for the fuller and engravings, and had a mirror-like surface. I wondered where Eskarne had confiscated it from, since there was no way she could have purchased it; none of us had that kind of money.
    The soft sound of breathing startled me and I spun around to confront whatever had interrupted my train of thought. A strange beast rose eight feet tall before me, with blackened horns reaching even further above its head. As it was not attacking, I crouched, gawking at the dark, vermillion-eyed monster until it began sniffing at the air to confirm that I was the creature I appeared to be. A deep growl emanated from the creature’s snarling mouth so I cautiously slid my dagger back into its sheath—I needed a bigger weapon. The beast snorted and stomped an enormous foot into the turf. I slipped the pack off my back and whisked off my cloak, dropping it onto my pack as I called a sword from Lietha.
    Not having been able to fully explore the new inhuman abilities I had gained, I assumed that I would never have been able to outrun the creature, so my only chance of survival was to kill it, if that was possible. I envisioned my limbs being torn from my dead body and being gnawed on by the beast—definitely not the most inspiring of thoughts. The monster howled and charged me; I did the first thing that came to mind: I yelled in return and ran head-on toward it. The thought that I was about to die flashed through my mind but instantly dissipated—as did any other organized thoughts I may have had—when the beast swung his huge ax before him and I found myself in its path. Being unable to stop myself quickly enough in my mad dash, I ducked, lost my balance, and tripped. After that I did a few unplanned somersaults, ending up sprawled on my back behind my still charging opponent.
    I spun around as soon as I got back to my feet and without thinking, really, I jumped twenty feet through the air and drove my sword into the creature’s back as I landed atop it. He howled in pain and rage and I sat there somewhat dazed, giddy with elation at the feat I had just accomplished. I was startled as the creature began swaying backward and I barely had time enough to jump up and grab an overhanging branch as he keeled over onto his back. His plan must have been to crush me with his greater weight, but the plan—if plan it had been—backfired and drove my sword deeper into him. I was about to drop to the ground when the creature suddenly stood. Please, just die,