He knew. It was a small thing really, not even a mistake unless one happens to recognise the power of the Clockwork Man’s glowing blue eye. But a tell none-the-less that something was out there. Something which the pessimistic mind of George Elmore perceived as a threat. The creature that lurked in the canopy above him infused its web with mana, and he could make out that energy as plain as day. In all other senses its natural stealth made it a formidable enemy for the Clockwork Man, but it betrayed itself with its one reliance on magic. 

For just a moment the strange automaton’s head shot up and his eye locked on the energy source above him. Then, almost as quickly, he returned to a more relaxed state. He had given only that small indicator that he might be aware he was being stalked. Slowly, ever so slowly, his right hand drifted to the hand-gun at his hip and his left hand sought purchase on the trunk. It made sense to use the structure of the tree as cover of sorts, if that magic he saw above him drew close and unleashed whatever surprise it had in store for him he could quickly spin around the trunk and put it between him and it.

And approach it did. He watched five separate energy signatures draw closer to him in the canopy, until it was frightfully close. Though he was relying on his peripheral vision alone he was still surprised to see no sign of whatever was causing that disturbance. So much so that he began to wonder if it could in fact be an invisible creature, or a spirit of some kind. That would probably make his gun a little useless. Still, the essence of true scientific endeavour was trial and error. He had better get started.

Almost quicker than the eye could make out the Clockwork Man drew his pistol from its holster, unstrapping it and all. It jumped into one metallic hand and just as quickly discharged three times, firing into the canopy above him at the magical blobs. At the same time, his left arm pulled at the trunk and he wrapped around it anti-clockwise, putting it between him and the projectile that suddenly made its way towards him. Just in time too, as the branch he had stood upon took the brunt of whatever it was fired at him, which in the short period of time he had to analyse it looked awfully like webbing.

Whatever the thing was above him, it held a high ground advantage and could hide in the canopy all too well. So, as he span around the trunk the Clockwork Man released his grip and dropped from that great height at significant speed, his weight dragging him down to the soft earth below with a hollow splash. His hook antics had drawn him most of the way out of the bog earlier, but the forest ground was still unreliable even here and one foot threatened to sink even as the other found purchase on harder ground and propelled him up and forward. He began to run, reloading his weapon as he went, seeking harder ground. If the creature wished to pursue him, it could either lurk high and harmless above him in the canopy, or it could come down where he could see it. And even as he ran and the perpetual whir of his mechanical body complimented his footfalls, another steady whir began to emanate from the weapon in his hand.