#35 Beautiful

"Why should I not simply take them?" asked the Shadow.

"I'm told you can't," answered Kier.

The Shadow lowered its head to look closer at the tiny human through narrowed eyes. "Your moon circle has indeed forced me to materialize, Mage. But what Magic could you possibly wield that allows you to muster the courage to tell me what I can or cannot do?"

The Shadow tried to extend its arm and pick up the two floating adventurers, but an invisible barrier prevented it. It glowed silver where the monster touched it, as did the flowers directly below that section.

"Oh, beautiful," said Kier. "Beautiful. He turned to Ina, smiling as excitedly as a child who's seen a rain of shooting stars for the first time. "You just earned yourself half of this forest, you human-eating vixen, you."