thwackHe stopped on the other side of the foliage, less than two metres from her. He must have moved a few leaves to peer in because a burst of sunlight forced her to squint, drawing her head out of the glare.
‘Please,’ she said, ‘can you help me?’
‘Ah, princess,’ said a familiar voice. ‘My eyes were not playing tricks on me. A little tied up, are you?’
‘Julis …? Ju-u-lis!’ Her voice wobbled but she caught her breath with a warning. ‘There’s another man, Julis. Watch out for him!’
‘The young fellow looking for food? You need not bother yourself ever again on his account.’ Julis snapped away some of the thinner branches and crawled to her side. ‘Out,’ he commanded. ‘I need this tree.’ In seconds she was free.
She folded at the knees and sat on the ground, not wanting to move more than
