NadirMy lungs struggled to inhale the viscus, stagnant cloud of air around me as I scarcely dodged the vague shadows of tree trunks. Their branches dug into my face and arms as I passed them. My hooves sunk into the soft ground as it tried to swallow me.
One thick branch caught my armour and lifted me off my feet. Then I fell, hard, on my numb ass.
I tore at the armour. My fingers dug into the straps and tried to pull them off, but the breastplate stuck on my muzzle. I yanked at it over and over, my head swinging wildly with each tug. Finally, the branch snapped, and I stumbled free.
I could feel the smooth steel against my fingers, and I remembered Delsaran’s smiling face as he gave it to me.
I ran.
My hooves barely lifted off the ground. The tips of them dragged through the dirt.
I
