Sentinel (Shadowbreeze)

The forests and swamps of the Tangled Woods are treacherous, even if you're familiar with them. It's easy to get lost or to fall prey of its many hidden dangers.
A shiver runs down Partnax's spine, a yound Wildclaw and novice scholar from the Light Flight. He joined an expedition to the Shadow forest to study the ruins on this side of the world, so similar to the ones back at home. He was happy to be here, History was one of his passions. The other one was Botany. He loved to learn about exotic flora, the tall trees, the dark flowers and the lovely glowy mushrooms fascinated him, maybe even more than the ancient ruins. And that was how he got separated from the other scholars. He was examining the luminescent fungus when, from the corner of his eye, he saw a strange, cold blue light disappearing into the dark woods... he followed it, and now he was lost.
The fog was getting thicker, even though it sticked to the ground, like a heavy mantle. Something isn't right, Partnax thought. I think I'm being followed. Then he heard it: The rustling of leaves, a branch breaking, the rattling of chains... getting closer and closer, until he felt a warm breath on his neck.
"Are you lost, hatchling?", a deep voice, rough sounding, as if it wasn't used frequently. Partnax jumped and turned around in a panicked reflex.
A big Gaoler was standing behind him. Her coat was the colour of a forest under the moonlight and her horns reminded him of the branches of an old oak. She was holding an old looking lantern that emited a warm light which appeared to attract bioluminescent insects that would stick to her fur, making her glow. She scowls with the lack of an answer from the young Wildclaw and takes a step towards him.
"I... I'm lost", said Partnax quickly before she could take another step. "I'm here studying the old ruins, but then I saw the beautiful mushrooms a-and then I saw a blue light flying into the woods and..."
"You FOLLOWED the light?" Partnax nodded. The Gaoler sighed, "Don't they teach you nothing back at the Lightweaver's domain?" she asked after taking a quick glance at the Light emblem embroidered on the scholar's tunic, "You NEVER follow a Will o' the Wisp."
"W-why not?" asked the Wildclaw. She stared at him for a while, enough to make him feel nervous.
"Follow me", she said at last and started walking deeper into the forest. Partnax looked terrified, not trusting the Gaoler, but not wanting to be alone either.
"Who are you?" he shouted after her. She stopped, looked over her shoulder back at him and calmly said: "You can call me Sentinel, for that is what I am. Stay close, the light will keep the spectres away. And you, hatchling, would do better to not raise your voice here."
The scholar hurried after her.
They passed under an arch formed by gnarly dark trees and it felt to Partnax that they had entered a different part of the forest. He could barely see the soil beneath his feet, because the mist was even thicker here. He could feel how moist the mud was and the air felt as cold as the winter breeze. Scary and ancient looking trees took their place amidst sinister stone ruins, crumbled and covered in gray moss. No glowy mushrooms were growing here, but lots of nasty looking thorn bushes could be seen. The moonlight made everything look monochromatic and the shadows seemed to move from the corner of Partnax's eyes, even though there was no breeze that could disturb the branches and leaves.
"These are the Forbidden Woods", the scholar jumped at the sound of the Gaoler's voice. "While not being exactly a graveyard, there's a huge concentration of some kind of ancient magic here. That magic seems to attract spirits and not all of them are harmless."
After hearing Sentinel's explanation, Partnax started to feel like he was being watched. He felt like cold claws were clutching his throat and it seemed to him that he could hear his heart beating.
"So...", he swallowed "you're here to drive those ghosts away?"
"Drive them away?", she laughed softly. "No Lightling. I'm here to prevent clueless hatchlings like you to get themselves killed, for there is nothing I can do against the spectres. They can't leave, but they surely can kill anyone who enters these woods. And they have ways to attract their victims here, like you experienced in the first place", Sentinel looked severely at him. "The only thing I have to protect me is this light. They keep their distance", the Gaoler said, touching the metal of the lantern with her wing claw.
A loud shriek echoed in the darkness, making Partnax's blood freeze in his veins.
"They can sense us", Sentinel said sinisterly. "Come on youngling, it's time for you to go. I'll take you to the edge of the forest, where your camp is."
As they were walking towards the tree archway, the feeling of being watched made Partnax look over his shoulder. A multitude of cold blue eyes were staring back at him through the mist.
"Don't look back." Sentinel urged him forward with her wing.
== Other Appearences ==
* The Spectral Pack