1 Moonless night

"Ssssaaaaaaaaaaasaaaaaaaaaa," the terrifying creature screeched overhead, it's thick leathery wings making a audible *thump thump* as they beat in the air.

I couldn't tell which was louder, the beat of the wings, or the beating of my own heart as I kept myself curled up inside the hollow log, praying to the ancients that I wouldn't be discovered.

I clutched the crystal vial of the invisibility potion in a fist against my chest. Part of me screamed to down its contents and to make a run for it. Truth is, I might have done so if I wasn't completely paralyzed with fear.

I heard the dragon scream once again and the beating of the wings grew louder. I clutched the vial tighter. Sharp diamond shaped edges that adorned the outside of container dug into my flesh. Any moment now I knew that the creature would unleash it's fiery breath onto the forest floor, cooking me instantly.

*Thump Thump* the beating of the wings grew even nearer. I brought my free hand to my mouth to keep myself from screaming.

Then overhead, one more ear-splitting screech and the beat of the wings began to fade. I lay there in the damp inside of the log, listening to the beast gradually move away.

Then silence. I still didn't dare to move for some time. Finally, the feeling of "something" skittering over my exposed forearm caused me to shift and brush away whatever it was.

I turned around and peaked outside of the log. The forest lay still, and silent.

I grasped the outside edge of the log and pulled myself free. It took some doing to gain enough purchase as the rotten wood crumbled in my fingers. The moisture from damp moss that grew on the inside of the long dead tree soaked through my dress.

Finally I stood up and brushed myself off. It didn't help much, twigs and dirt stuck to my clothing. I shook off a few spiders that were crawling up my left arm.

I realized that I was still tightly clutching the invisibility potion tightly in my hand. I relaxed my fingers and gazed at the small vial. Mother had told me to only use it in a life or death situation, I wondered if I was a fool for not downing it when I first hear the terrifying cries of the creature as it searched for me from the skies.

I sighed and placed the vial back into one of the pouches that hung from my belt. I felt exhausted, cold, and hungry. I dared not make a fire in fear or drawing the attention of the dragon once again.

From another pouch I drew a small piece of deer jerky and popped it into my mouth. As I chewed the tough meat, I started walking. Every fiber of my body wanted me to stop and rest, but I knew I had to keep moving. Even if the dragon didn't find me this night, I wasn't sure if the wizard's cultists were still on my trail. The mad wizard Jall already had control of the kingdom, I'm not sure how killing me would help whatever plans he had,

It was twelve years ago when he took control. Twelve years ago, I was a young princess living in a castle with my mother and father. It was a moonless night such as this one that everything had changed....