Longer by Foot than Hoof

Three days south was a lot longer on foot than hoof. On the evening of the third day, the thing that had followed her out of the valley caught up with her.

It was one, from many. It was hurt and exhausted. It was hungry and remembered.

The world serpent, slithered noiselessly through the loam. Leaves rustled quietly against its body as its tongue tasted the air.

The witch was close.

It spied her. Tucked into the crook of an ancient oak. Keeping its head still, it gathered the rest of its long body in order to strike. Silently... Deadly...