The massive creature that appeared from the woods made my heart skip several beats but as the shadows uncloaked their face, I realized that it wasn't Garmr after all but some stranger I did not know. One that did not reek of the swamp and sweat of men and the sigh of relief that escaped me disintegrated into a sob as I stumbled toward her, eagerly taking in the words she offered me as if they were a balm. Finally, someone to help me. Someone to rescue me.

And, of course, because I have been nothing if not unlucky from the moment I'd set foot on these shores... also someone to chase me.

Fear rounds my eyes and my stumbling becomes frantic as I take up a jog toward the trees, hastening to press close against the bulwark of the young mare next to me. I do not know if she is a trained fighter, has bothered to hone her skills, or is as hopeless as me if it comes to a fight but I have no other choice than to trust her. If I do not, I might as well dig my grave in that fetid swamp and forgo any attempt at a life of my own.

"Go home, dog." I snap, emboldened by the warmth of the mare I am attempting to press against. "Surely there are other things more interesting than one lone mare." I grouse, ears tipped back against my poll. Especially considering no one - and I mean no one - not even the annoyingly handsome Garmr - paid me a lick of attention in that swamp. I was forgettable there. Unwanted. Wasted.

Why were they so against me being something other than invisible?