As the beads shot down the road, Branka gave an alerted shout "Seven Hells!" as she instinctively scooped up the bear cub out of the 'danger'.
She watched with a steely leer as the seemingly innocent objects danced with bewitchment.
She scoffed at the idea of something so small spooking her.
Hosting the cub on to her back she gave Chase with the others.
As they ran she could feel her injuries from before slowing her down.
Each time her foot bounced off the ground a shot of pain seared her ribs.
She cursed her own foolishness for letting something as dim as trolls land blows on her.
But it was too late to worry about any of that now.
This was their only lead and the girls life was in more danger with every moment.
Gritting her teeth she powered through the pain and managed to keep pace.
With a small bear cub on her back no less.
The moment they arrived at the stone gate Branka set the cub down so she could rest.
It wined and pawed at her as if pleading to get back up but Branka was spent.
She felt bad for it as it paced with the other animals but she needed a moment to try and see straight.
When Yivi suggested that the beads were trying to get inside, Branka could only muster a low growl and a agreeing nod.
She speculated that whatever dark powers control them, may very well have taken the child.
Walking up to the gate she rested her hands on the stone doors and whispered to herself "father..give me strength..for the child."
She then began to push as hard as she could against the stone.
Her muscles bulged and strained as her boots slipped in futile effort for traction on the stone floor.
Suddenly the doors opened a crack a few hopeful centimeters.
Not much, but enough to show that it was within mortal means.
The beads shot inside the moment the gap was large enough.
Branka slumped her shoulders in defeat.
She was so close, but her body had failed her.
Blood dripped from her nose, a sour reminder of her internal injuries.
With each drop that hit the stone floor, a mocking *plit* frustrated her further .
In a rage, she kicked the stone door, knocking it another tiny centimeter open and sending her falling to the ground.
Deciding the only thing she could do now to save face was sit silently, she waited for someone else to try their hand.
She watched with a steely leer as the seemingly innocent objects danced with bewitchment.
She scoffed at the idea of something so small spooking her.
Hosting the cub on to her back she gave Chase with the others.
As they ran she could feel her injuries from before slowing her down.
Each time her foot bounced off the ground a shot of pain seared her ribs.
She cursed her own foolishness for letting something as dim as trolls land blows on her.
But it was too late to worry about any of that now.
This was their only lead and the girls life was in more danger with every moment.
Gritting her teeth she powered through the pain and managed to keep pace.
With a small bear cub on her back no less.
The moment they arrived at the stone gate Branka set the cub down so she could rest.
It wined and pawed at her as if pleading to get back up but Branka was spent.
She felt bad for it as it paced with the other animals but she needed a moment to try and see straight.
When Yivi suggested that the beads were trying to get inside, Branka could only muster a low growl and a agreeing nod.
She speculated that whatever dark powers control them, may very well have taken the child.
Walking up to the gate she rested her hands on the stone doors and whispered to herself "father..give me strength..for the child."
She then began to push as hard as she could against the stone.
Her muscles bulged and strained as her boots slipped in futile effort for traction on the stone floor.
Suddenly the doors opened a crack a few hopeful centimeters.
Not much, but enough to show that it was within mortal means.
The beads shot inside the moment the gap was large enough.
Branka slumped her shoulders in defeat.
She was so close, but her body had failed her.
Blood dripped from her nose, a sour reminder of her internal injuries.
With each drop that hit the stone floor, a mocking *plit* frustrated her further .
In a rage, she kicked the stone door, knocking it another tiny centimeter open and sending her falling to the ground.
Deciding the only thing she could do now to save face was sit silently, she waited for someone else to try their hand.