[PQ] Into the Woods Without Delay

DELAH

They are not of the woods.

They are the woods.

The fox is cunning, to lead them in such a merry chase. So easy to pluck off. The one with hair the colour of fire and currently adorned with antlers has already been brushed with their mark, and they can see the golden dust that wafts off of him, visible to their eyes only.

Then there is the raven, an omen of death. They will have to be quick with him.

And the larger bird...she too will wait.

The one they call Amalia though, the one told to hang back! she will do.

And so as the group makes their plans and moves off, hands move out from the trees. Where there was once bark, now there is tree-toned fingers that smell of thunder and bare-feet covered in earth. They move silently and quickly, a net cast over white fur, branches wrapped around a spotted snout, and spears pointed at her ribcage should she dare try to escape...

In places deep
With roots entwined
I live the life I left behind