A hot flush of energy ran through Sigyn’s limbs. Instinctively, she snapped out a hand and called her bow, moon-bright with silver inlay and already strung taut. A swift glance told her that Loki had only daggers, with which he would have to approach far too close for safety.
“‘Ware, my lord!” she cried. She summoned an arrow and fired in one breath; the shot whirred past the bilgesnipe’s head.
Loki was shocked seeing the arrow fly at the animal’s head, he quickly recovered and threw both daggers. One pierced the beast’s eye and the other bounced off an antler. He cursed and summoned a ball of energy and whipped it with all his strength at the still advancing creature.
Sigyn summoned and fired at speed, two and then three arrows in the air at once. She hadn’t practised since she left Alfheim, but panic brought her old skill back, and the arrows marched down the beast’s flank, heading for its heart.
Still it came on, though, apparently unfazed. Casting her bow aside, Sigyn clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and called out to the forest around her. Vines slid down from the trees, grasses entangled the bilgesnipe’s hooves, and finally, finally the beast slowed.
With a groan the bilgesnipe toppled over, unable to move its legs. Loki was breathing hard, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He turned and walked quickly to Sigyn. He put one hand on her arm and the other to her hair, looking at her with concern. “Are you… hurt? Are you alright?”
With an effort, she opened her eyes, looking up at Loki. Now that the danger was past, her heart was in her throat and her limbs felt weak. “I am not hurt, my lord.” Her knees gave out, and she sank to the grass, starting to shake. “Only frightened. “