It wasn't the concept that made him uneasy. And it wasn't the fact that he couldn't see. It was the feeling of nothing beneath his feet.
Ri had done this countless times before, but every single time made him a little queasy inside. It made him feel like he was falling very fast straight down, but without the wind. Plus he couldn't see anything besides a hazy blue-gold in every direction he looked. But finally, after what felt like forever (or a second, Ri could never tell), his feet touch the soft, spongy grass of Grove.
Brior'ador stepped out of the portal and welcomed the soft sunlight on his face and the gentle music of a piper and his wife. The brook that ran through the center of town bubbled harmoniously with the tune. The misc seller chuckled at something the old veteran had said. The enchanter gazed blankly across the scattered headstones inside the fenced graveyard. And the blacksmith hammered at something not yet recognizable. It was good to be back.
The pain in Ri's back was now excruciating. His breath was very shallow and it hurt whenever he inhaled. But then a howling, shoulder- height wolf came bolting toward him from around the inn. Ri saw it that had red dripping of it's fangs and that it's claws tore up the grass as it ran. Then it pounced.
"NO!!!"
The wolf hit Ri in the chest claws first, then the rest of it's body slammed into him. They landed on the ground and rolled at least ten feet, before coming to a stop. The wolf on atop with it's face was just an inch from Ri's.
Thanks for reading!
