But once again, the Rock Strider moved with that same impossible swiftness, its body blurring as though the air itself carried it out of harm's way.
The arrow sailed past harmlessly, burying itself deep into the soil below.
Then the beast gave a low, guttural screech, its feathers bristling as if insulted by the attack, and then it lunged forward with terrifying force.
Its talons slammed into the trunk of the tree where Zarah stood.
BOOM!
The impact cracked through the forest like thunder. Bark split and scattered in jagged fragments, the gouges carved by its claws deep enough to reveal pale wood beneath. The sheer power behind the strike was enough to send a tremor shuddering up the trunk, rattling every branch above.
Zarah wavered where she stood, her balance slipping as the branch shook violently beneath her boots. She dropped into a crouch, steadying herself with one hand against the bark, her bow still clutched in the other.
