Traps

I use my magic to silence my steps as I effortlessly walk into the surrounding woods. I softly say, "Mago, give me their locations and notify me whenever there's movement." Mago quickly responds, "You have one two hundred feet to your left, at your four o'clock. The other two are sharing their findings with each other at your twelve o'clock."

I smile as I start moving further into the woods. When I get far enough in, I start touching the trees as I go. All plants are living things, given enough magic and they really come to life. Every so often, I stop. I squat and place my hand on the ground, opening the ground as I use silencing magic to cover up all the noise I'm making.

I create deep pits and create large stone spikes at the bottom. It takes about five minutes for each one before I can keep moving. If these were done by hand, they would take hours if not days. I create a thin layer of dirt on top and replace the godforsaken leaves that I hate so much.

I don't have to worry about the snow because it's still softly snowing off and on. They won't be able to see them before stepping on them. Sure, it won't stop them all, but it will cause a small loss, chaos, and panic.

When I come to other trees, I effortlessly place protective runes on them before moving again. Mago speaks up and says, "The two are separating. One is headed your way now while the other is walking to your left at your nine o'clock."

I look around and find a large tree. I walk over to the tree, using my magic to blend in as I lean against it. A few moments later, I hear soft footsteps approaching. I keep all the protective runes off so that nothing happens even as he passes the one I just placed.

As he steps past me, I see him stiffening. He slows to a stop, looking around with wide eyes. He can probably tell something's off, but he can't tell what. Human instincts are one hell of a trait. As he silently looks around, listening, I use my magic to hide my presence and my breathing.

I could kill him but that would alert the others.

You can tell he's unnerved but he soon dismisses his gut instincts and continues walking. After knowing he's far enough away, I step away from the tree, allowing the camouflage to fall away. After a few hours, I hear Mago say, "Huan is asking about you. I told him you're fine."

I nod my head as I place the last rune. I've placed them all over the trees, rocks, and the ground. A dark smile crawls across my face as I turn back and start heading back to the estate at a leisurely pace.

When I reach the very center of the woods, I look around before tapping into the Ley lines and tapping my foot on the ground. The leaves and the snow jump, fluttering into the air before quickly falling back. I smile as I keep heading back.

The entire woods surrounding the estate is now completely under my control. When I reach the side of the estate, I lift my hand and pass through the wall once again. This time I place a rune on the wall before moving to the next one.

Huan quickly appears behind me asking, "What took so long? Did something happen?" I place my hand on the next wall, burning the rune in as I say, "Have you seen the size of the surrounding woods? There's a lot of ground to cover, plus I had to do it while sneaking around. It's only natural that it took a while."

He deflates a little, unable to argue but he quickly frowns when he sees what I'm doing. He glances around while asking, "What are you doing?" I turn and give him a wicked smile as I say, "I'm placing traps. Anyone who tries to walk past these walls without my permission will... well, let's just say they'll no longer exist."

His mouth drops open as he quickly side-steps away from the wall, looking at it like it was a monster. He swallows hard and asks, "What if they blow it down instead?" My smile only grows as I say, "We have something called rubber in my world, it's extremely bouncy. Its concept is extremely similar to that. If they try to blast through the walls, their attack will be sent right back at them."

Haun's jaw nearly hits the ground as he asks, "Is that really possible?" I ignore him as I keep working. The sunrise was coming quickly, I was running out of time. Haun doesn't seem to mind as he follows behind me, deep in thought.

As I place the last rune, he speaks up with concern laced in his voice, "If others learn about this ability you have... it would put you in danger. Others will want this ability you have. They'll try to use you." I turn around, rolling my shoulders as I say, "Well, I won't tell anyone if you don't."

He blinks in surprise before sighing and saying, "I won't have to! Hundreds are going to see it firsthand!" I give him a reassuring smile as I ask, "Have you ever heard of the saying, 'Dead men tell no tales'?"

He blinks again but this time I see a flash of understanding and fear. He softly asks, "You... you plan to kill them all?" My smile slowly disappears, replaced by a solemn look as I say, "I don't take kindly to those who threaten me or those I care about. If they come here looking for death, death is what they'll find."

The sun starts to rise, cutting through the snow clouds as I continue, "I'm no saint, Huan. Kindness in the face of danger only leads to death. This comes down to us or them. Who do you think I'll choose? It would be foolish not to do everything you can to survive and protect the ones you love especially when you have the ability to do so. Wouldn't you agree?"

He looks at me in silence, unable to say a word. Suddenly, I hear a familiar and deep voice say, "I agree, but what brought this up?"

I turn and find Bolin stepping out of the darkness with wisps of shadows licking at his black outfit. I give him a warm smile as I say, "We're expecting guests around midday. I'm glad you made it back in time for me to catch you up."

Mago cuts in and says, "Lyra, a large group of men are at the outskirts of the woods. They're preparing to move in." Bolin instantly becomes hostile as he asks, "What have I missed?" I give him a warm smile as I say, "Don't worry, I've made preparations. I have a surprise for them all. As soon as they step into the woods, I will give them all a very warm welcome."

Bolin blinks in surprise before a dark and wicked smile spreads across his face. Haun shudders as Bolin says, "Well then, I need to prepare something as well. I can't have you doing all the entertaining."

My smile grows as a wicked light dances in my eyes.

I tap into the Ley line and push the magic into all the runes. My eyes burn with golden light as I say, "Let the fun begin."