148 The Forest Peak 2: Wellspring of the Forest

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

All heads turned to the source of the noise. They could feel the ground shake underneath their feet. What was wrong? What was happening?

From the North part of the forest, there was a thick cloud of dust moving at an alarming speed towards them. 

Instinctively, Jareth held Astrid by her hand and pulled her to the sides with him, away from the impending danger. She took a quick glance at their joined hands and then his face.

He felt her insides warm the more at his simple gesture of protecting her.

"I would protect you."

His voice played again in her mind. She couldn't help but feel safe with him around. She turned her gaze back to the situation at hand.

White-Fire and its family stood still as they watched the thick cloud of dust approach them.

In a matter of seconds, the rumbling stopped and so did the cloud of dust with it, slowly it began to dissipate.