The forest was eerily still, save for the rustling of leaves underfoot and the distant calls of unseen forest creatures. Shafts of moonlight, silver and pale, filtered down through the canopy, painting patterns on the forest floor that shifted with the evening breeze. The smell of wildflowers and tree bark filled the air, a stark contrast to the blacksmiths'' forge and freshly manured fields of Briar’s Hollow.
I glanced at the girl walking beside me, her locks of silver hair glittering like starlight as it caught the moonlight. Despite her injury she moved effortlessly with grace, her faint limp barely noticeable. She carried herself with such confidence in the forest, it was as if the trees themselves were her subordinates, bending to her will.
We hadn''t spoken much since setting off, though we stole glances occasionally and I could have sworn that I caught her studying me from time to time, as if she was trying to solve a puzzle she didn''t know the shape of. I supposed that I couldn''t blame her, I had no explanation for what had happened. One moment I was collecting flowers, the next I was conjuring something I didn''t understand. Magic.
Did that make me a wizard now? Would I start growing a wild beard and wearing oversized hats?
I cleared my throat, parting the silence. “You never told me your name.”
She turned her head slightly to look at me, her golden eyes reflecting like embers in the low light. “Aeris,” she said simply.
I didn''t know anything about Fey society, but by Briar’s Hollow’s standards it suited her perfectly. It was equally as soft as it was commanding.
“I''m Caden,” I offered in response, an equivalent exchange. Stories we were told as kids said that there was power in a name, the witches of the wilds would curse you if you told them your name.
She gave a courteous nod, as if to approve but there was something unreadable in her expression. “You''re not a mage, ” she said after a brief pause, it sounded more like an observation than a question.
I couldn''t help but let out a chuckle. “No, I work on a farm-” I replied, pausing to manoeuvre over the roots of a large oak tree that Aeris has seamlessly glided over. “I''ve never cast a spell in my life.“
I couldn''t get that feeling of using magic out of my mind, for that brief moment I had felt powerful. My chest and my arms were still aching, but I was worried it was a fluke. That I wouldn''t be able to feel that level of power again.
Aeris nodded in response, as if my inexperience was obvious. I felt exposed, embarrassed. But at the same time it felt like an accomplishment, I would be the first mage in Briar''s Hollow for generations once I got home. I wanted to tell Edrin, he would know what to do. After he consulted a spoon or argued with a horse of course…
The deeper into the forest we ventured, the more the atmosphere shifted. The trees grew taller, their trunks becoming more gnarled and ancient, their roots twisting like veins in the undergrowth. The air grew thicker, more humid, something unseen but felt. A presence.
Aeris must have noticed my discomfort. “Veilwood marks a threshold between the Feywilds and the land of men, “ she explained. “The deeper we go, the closer we get to the domain of my people.”
Her people. The Fey. Creatures of legend and cautionary tales, of trickery and beauty. The Fey had long been guardians of the forests, they didn''t bother humans so long as we kept out of their way and didn''t harm the woodlands.
Of course there were always stories to the contrary too, humans kidnapping Fey for slaves and entertainment. Likewise Fey would kidnap humans for black magic and sacrificial offerings to their evil deities.
Not that I believed in any of that, but I had heard the big cities were rife with fanatical churches and holy knights.
Before I could ponder any further, movement ahead caught my attention. A figure stood at what looked like an old stone gateway, watching us and waiting expectantly.
As Aeris led us closer, I could see the figure more clearly. An older woman, in her forties or fifties, the moonlight reflecting off her silver hair, even from a distance. I could feel the weight of her presence from a distance, her arms folded disapprovingly, and her eyes… They had a disapproving chill, not unkind, but measuring and observant.
Aeris let out a slow breath. “My grandmother… “ she said through gritted teeth.
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I could feel the shift in Aeris’ demeanour, from the careful scout to an elegant young woman expecting to be disciplined. Her shoulders straightened, her steps more deliberate. It was as if she was stepping into a role she didn''t particularly enjoy.
I gulped with anticipation, it felt like we were both about to be reprimanded. Or perhaps they didn''t take kindly to a human being led through the front doors.
“Grandmother, ” Aeris called out, keeping her gaze forward as she bowed her head respectfully.
Her presence was undeniable, commanding without effort. Her horns glistened in the light, twisting like gnarled branches. They weren''t dissimilar to Aeris’ horns but they were definitely some sort of status symbol. She emanated radiance and nobility.
Aeris slowed as we approached, her posture careful and her head still bowed slightly. I didn''t know their customs, but I also bowed my head slightly as a precaution.
“You''ve been gone longer than expected my dear,” her grandmother said in an even tone. There was no sharpness to it, no outright reprimand. But the weight of her expectations lingered between her words.
Aeris bowed her head deeper in respect. “I was scouting the border,” she said calmly. “Given the spread of corruption, I thought it was necessary to assess the situation myself.”
Her grandmother studied Aeris briefly before exhaling gently. “How diligent of you,” she mused, though I couldn''t tell if she was approving or simply amused. Then at last, her gaze flickered to me.
The moment her eyes fixated on me, I could feel myself struggling to breathe. The weight of her gaze was extraordinary, if she had applied the same pressure to Aeris then Aeris was impressive for not showing any signs of struggling.
I could feel something pressing into my core, not physically, but it felt like she was reaching through me. Examining me in detail with just a gaze, I felt exposed and helpless.
“And what have you brought with you?” she asked, her eyes fixated on me. But the pressure lightened slightly at her words, much to my relief.
Aeris raised her chin. “He is the reason I was able to return.”
Her grandmother''s expression didn''t change, but I felt the air lighten still. Free of the probing sensation, I finally let out a relaxed gasp. I hadn''t realised I had been holding my breath the entire time.
“Is that so?” she murmured.
Her grandmother took a step closer, though it was more akin to gliding, she moved with such elegance.
“You do not appear to be a warrior,” she observed. “Or a mage, either.”
I swallowed, unsure if I should speak. My legs felt rooted beneath layers of soil.
“And yet…” her head tilted slightly as her voice drifted off with her thoughts. “It appears we owe you our thanks.”
Aeris remained silent, watching the exchange carefully, but I saw a crease forming in her brow.
Her grandmother studied me for a moment longer before exhaling again softly. “It is not often that outsiders show us kindness in the wilderness.” She glanced at Aeris. “And I cannot ignore the debt we owe for your safe return my dear.”
Aeris’ fingers began to clench into a fist before relaxing. “It isn''t a debt, grandmother,” she said, quiet but firm.
Her grandmother smiled faintly. “Regardless,” she continued, turning back to me. “Allow me to express my thanks.”
She gestured to the path behind her, beyond the archway. “You are welcome among us for a time, to rest and to learn. It appears you have recently gone through an awakening, we have some of the best sorcerers on the continent.”
My stomach flipped with excitement, how many humans in history have been taught by Fey?
“Humans may still have an infantile understanding of the world,” she said smoothly. “But even they understand that mana, when left unchecked after awakening can lead to a fate worse than death.”
The hairs on the back of my neck pickled at the thought, though I could feel the wisdom in her words, even if I couldn''t really appreciate it. What happened to untrained mages after awakening?
“Regardless, the offer is there-” she began to say, stopping herself just before a figure approached through the archway.
The figure was adorned in steel armour, plates sewn together with silver vines. The armour itself was sleek with a design favouring movement and elegance.
He came to a stop before Aeris’ grandmother and dropped to one knee, bowing deeply with respect.
“My Queen,” he said, his voice steady and with purpose. “I apologise for intruding, but there is an urgent matter requiring your attention.”
I could briefly detect a flicker of irritation across her face, but she quickly masked it with a smile as she turned her head.
“Very well,” she said, nodding her head. “Consider my offer, even if it''s just to wait for dawn. And for goodness sake Aeris, get yourself home.”
She turned to smile at Aeris before walking back through the archway, with just the guard left to face us.
He hesitated before bowing his head. “Princess,” he greeted, or apologised before retreating. I couldn''t quite tell. I was too distracted by the fact that Aeris and her grandmother were royalty?!
I exhaled slowly. “You''re a princess?”
Aeris also relaxed, her shoulders sloping slightly as she sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “Technically.”
I stared at the ancient gateway, admiring the architecture as I weighed up my options.
“So,” I said finally. “What now?”
Aeris had been standing there idly, watching with anticipation.
“That depends, are you hungry?” she replied with a smirk before turning to walk through the gateway.