Crimson & Cream

Within the dense woods, the darkness of deep night vanished without a trace. Like a snowy field on a sunny winter morn, the brightness was blinding and instantaneous. Soaring pines and the starry sky washed out in this sea of white. Every eyelid snapped shut, and even then the light displayed the intensity of the midday sun.

Jetsam’s own eyes burned from his short glimpse into the powerful glare. He heard the tormented trolls’ unmistakable squealing. Three seconds passed, then four. The stripling waited for his spell to fade, but the stinging brightness lingered. The troll screeching sounded farther away.