The Forest Deep
Part 4
Finally, he reached a large clearing obscured by an unnatural ceiling of leaves. Closing off the arc of trees into a circle was a rocky cliff of a height comparable to that of four or five men, it’s base broken up into a tall craggy opening only accessible from around a winding, descending wall of stone peaks.
Here, Menzo hesitated, peering around himself. Fewer signs of renewed life showed here but some did; the echoes of birds’ morning songs reached his ears from the treetops, far above where the moss seemed as though it might fall from the lower branches it clung to under the strain of its own sheer weight.
Suddenly, there was movement in the corner of his eye.
Cursing under his breath, Menzo spun in the wet undergrowth, crouching to a ready stance as he yanked his hunting knife from his belt. His gaze darted among the trees and settled upon what had startled him so; a young stag, bounding away as fast as its agile legs could carry it. The man huffed in astonishment. He hadn’t seen such an animal anywhere near these parts in months.
With eyes wide and still staring in the direction the deer had disappeared in, he drew himself up. Although his heart still raced, his mind felt suddenly calm; if such a sensitive animal was here, he must have nothing to fear. Turning to the cavern entrance, he slowly sheathed his blade but kept his hand on the handle for a moment, squeezing it as he peered into the cavern. Then, with a newfound determination, he narrowed his eyelids and headed into the cavern.