Okay. @The Fowlers, Rissy, and @Mr. Blackstar, I feel bad about the last chapter, really, but I hope you continue to read the fanfiction!

THUD

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Fritz hacked at the tree, his face sweating. The white bark splintered in his face but he ignored it, putting all his strength into this last swing. The tree collapsed, and Fritz whipped his face with a rag before running over to drag the tree back to his camp. His muscles flexed as he pulled it behind him easily. He heard a snap and turned to see a branch had broken off. The inside of the tree was still green. Green like her eyes. He felt a pang in his heart and he looked away. It had been a year since he had left. He had been so upset that the next morning he had packed up his stuff and began the travel. He had given up on searching for his brother in the first few days, knowing that Marisa would find it foolish. He had never come in contact with anything beside some bugs, and he didn’t mind. He never did art anymore, that was silly, unnecessary. He had grown stronger, fiercer, and more capable with weapons. He wished Marisa could see him now. She would never, ever judge him now.

As he entered the camp site he dropped the log and gazed around. The campsite was as lonely as ever. The dirt drifted up behind him as he walked to a small hammock. Next to it was a small fire with a simple kettle on the top, which he had stolen from the kitchen before leaving the inn. He tore off some small pieces of bark, throwing them into the fire then lighting it silently. He smiled softly as it burst to life, sending the familiar dancing figures around the gap in the woods. His head snapped sharply to the side, and he flung himself to his sword before holding it ready. A rustling sound came from the bushes nearby, along with the sound of gasping. “Help!” the voice gasped, it echoed around the clearing. “Please.” then the sound of someone collapsing and silence. Fritz dropped his sword, rushing to where he had heard the voice. He dug around frantically, “Hello?” he called. “Where are you!” nothing.

He felt something move beneath him and he looked down with a gasp. A beautiful doe lay collapsed on the ground, she looked to be around his age. Her eyes were half open and he could see her iris. It was a shocking teal, like it had bolts of lightning cutting through it, the bit of light caused them to flash and he scooped her up. Blood covered her whole body and he quickly found the sources. Blood flowed from her head and arm. He bolted to his clearing, setting her lightly on the ground he grabbed his large bucket of water and drenched her arm in it. What he saw made his gasp. On her arm someone had written the word “WEAK” with a knife. And it wasn’t near the surface either, it would clearly leave a scar. He wrenched around and grabbed an extra shirt, ripping it quickly for bandages. He wrapped her arm, not perfect, but close enough. Then he moved to the more serious injury with a wince. He wiped away the blood gently. Her shiny straw fur mixed with the red created a bright pink, making Fritz realize how bad the cut really was. He wrapped it as quickly as possible, gagging at the sight. Then he scooped her up again and laid her on the hammock, his eyes wide. He had just saved a doe, for now at least. And that was amazing. He realized he had been holding his breath and he exhaled slowly. A cough sounded behind him and he scrambled to his feet, rushing to the doe. Her eyes opened slowly and she shifted. She blinked up at him a moment, then her eyes widened in shock and she let out a scream. “Hey! Its okay!” Fritz shouted as she struggled out of the hammock. She fell on her arm heavily and she winced. “I told you!” she shouted. “I won’t give you the map! You’ll have to kill me!”

“What map!” Fritz asked, looking at her confused. She must have hit her head very hard. She blinked in shock. “Isn’t that why you tortured me and killed my friends?” She asked. “That wasn't me.” Fritz assured her. She moved closer cautiously, her eyes digging into his as if she was searching his soul for the truth.

“So you’re not trying to steal the map to Terrilain?”