Why do people enjoy the rain so much? I do not understand it. Yes, it is beautiful sometimes the way it comes down. That much is the truth. But I'm always getting rained on, and I still don't like the way it feels.
Lord Terrowin led me to another clearing, some distance from his own camp. As we approached I noticed leaning against a large tree was a grand bow, with a strong set of arrows, twice the size of normal arrows, accompanying it. He was a sorcerer, and a hunter. His skills went hand in hand—and what a deadly combination that was, I realized quickly.
He untied me here, and instructed me to stand in the center of the clearing. If I tried to run, I would be met with an arrow. I did not wish to contend with him.
I was to stand there in the open, Lord Terrowin told me, for he knew exactly how to draw the Beast in this way. Once the Beast entered the clearing, the arrow would turn from me to him.
"How are you so sure the Beast is even after me?" I questioned before he ascended the tree to gain his position.
The sorcerer narrowed his eyes. "I've encountered this prophecy. I know what your role is. Don't try to run, or I will just shoot."
Once he was up in the tree, I couldn't see him at all. I stood in the clearing, frantically trying to think of a way out of this. Any moment the Beast could appear, and it would be over for him.
A monstrous rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, making me jump. This light rain would soon be a storm. If a storm hit, I might be able to escape. The sky would darken, and my scent would be lost—I could just run, and run, and run. I knew I could get away if I ran my fastest.
There was a crowing in the distance. I looked up, my face bearing to the sky to perceive a hundred shadows; there was a tremendous flock of birds swooping over the clearing, emerging from an overhead cloud like blood spilling from an open wound. I watched them in awe as they descended, coming closer to the clearing in the woods. I looked over to where I knew Lord Terrowin was positioned in the tree; all I saw was a tree. My gaze returned to the sky—the birds were swooping down towards me. Suddenly, as if in an instant, they were all around me.
I dropped to my knees, holding my head beneath my arms to protect myself as they swarmed; they were a dark, chattering blanket blowing in the wind. I felt nothing but the whooshing of air over me as they passed, and within the commotion, to my greatest surprise, was delivered a letter. It thudded to the ground before me, and as I stole a confused glance at it, I suddenly beheld Adrian's familiar seal. It had been carried among the birds, who now flew towards the big tree Lord Terrowin occupied, encircling it within their dark grasp.
I snatched up the letter and tore it open, my eyes reading faster than I could conceive.
I think you understand now what I could not tell you before. Please trust me that I will not hurt you. I will lead you back to Blackhill as the Beast. Then we will meet again safely.
I am so sorry for this.
The birds ornamented the tree in a roaring cacophony. Lord Terrowin was certainly preoccupied with their presence—there was no way he'd be able to see me through the chaos they ensued.
As I turned to make way for the woods again, before I lost my chance—surely Adrian was ready for me, wherever he was—I stopped in my tracks as Prince Stefan entered the clearing on foot. He was just as I had seen him last, princely and charming, dressed in richly tailored hunting clothes and flanked by two men with crossbows.
"Mary!" he exclaimed, running to meet me in the clearing. He was out of breath, and seemed very surprised to see me—almost as surprised as I was to see him. There was a sword at his side; he seemed to be in the middle of some kind of hunt. I could even hear the barking of dogs in the distance.
I felt relief and panic all at once. How happy I was to meet with him again, but the circumstances couldn't have been less desirable.
"Stefan," I said urgently, "this is a dangerous place—you and your men must go-"
"Are you alright? Has the necromancer hurt you? What has happened to your hand and wrists?"
"How did you know—he, he's in that tree—with the birds, and he has a bow! He will shoot you if he sees you!"
Stefan stole a furious glance at the tree I indicated, and nodded to his men, who trotted over in its direction, sending a furious volley of arrows in their wake.
"You are safe now," he said quickly, undoing his hunting cloak and draping it around my shoulders. "I've been looking for you for days, and we've been on the sorcerer's trail. I knew he had gone after you—why didn't you tell me you were in trouble?"
"You're in trouble!" I replied hurriedly, "I don't have time to explain. Please, just try to get as far away from here as fast as you can-"
There was a roaring in the distance. It echoed through the woods from a short ways away. I shuddered as I heard it, and Stefan simultaneously drew his sword.
"It's not what you think," I said, as Stefan began calling for his men.
Six kingsmen emerged from the trees, all armed and hurrying towards us with a host of dogs and horses. Just as I spotted them, a mortal cry sounded from where the two crossbow men had pursued Lord Terrowin; one had been shot in the chest with an arrow, and in the chaos, the flock of birds retreated into the sky just as quickly as they had come.
Stefan looked to me, "I have been hoping all this time that you were free and unharmed. Please, go with my men. They will make sure you can make it back to the kingdom safely. I will take care of the necromancer." With a brave face and a brandished sword, Stefan took off towards Lord Terrowin's hiding place.
I called after him: don't go there. Please don't go there.
And then entered the Beast.
He came from the furthest side of the clearing, appearing as terrible and savage as before. The kingsmen balked at the sight of him, and even Stefan was stopped in his tracks as the Beast snarled at the scene before him, his teeth and claws bared for battle.
Adrian, I thought, I know you're in there. And I trust you.
"What devil creature is this-" Stefan began to say, turning in apprehension, when one of Lord Terrowin's arrows whizzed out from the tree and shot him in his upper back. He was startled only for a moment, before crumpling to the ground.
"Stefan!" I shrieked, and my feet began to move towards him, but Lord Terrowin dropped out of the tree with his bow and the Beast was suddenly there, intercepting us.
The Beast was twice the size of the tall sorcerer; his movements were impossibly quick. In one swift motion, the Beast charged Lord Terrowin as he drew an arrow from his quiver and made to shoot. On the other side of them, the kingsmen rushed to Stefan's side, pulling him up onto a horse. I couldn't tell how bad his wound was, but I knew he was hurt. The Beast also met Lord Terrowin's arrow, but his aim was flawed in his hurry and it only grazed the Beast's side.
Lord Terrowin was knocked to the ground, fresh claw marks welling up beneath his sleeve. He cried out beneath the Beast's fury, and frantically scrambled away. Things did not go as he had planned.
I don't know what the Beast would've done next; all I knew at the time was I needed to somehow reach Adrian.
"Beast!" I cried, staring him down with suppressed terror, "Stop!"
Upon hearing my voice, the Beast hesitated in his tracks. He was standing over the pale and cowering Lord Terrowin, ready to tear him apart. I stared at the Beast, facing him with vulnerability.
It's me, Adrian. Come to me.
The Beast gazed at me, falling silent and curious. The expression in his eyes was one I was familiar with. There was no doubt Adrian was inside, and he could hear me.
The horse Stefan had been lifted upon took off into the woods at a dash with three of the kingsmen. The remaining circled Lord Terrowin as the Beast slowly made his way over to me. I watched as they seized the man, his struggles no match for their numbers.
It is time for us to escape now, I thought as I locked eye contact with the Beast, willing him to understand. The Beast blinked, and howled into the air.
Two kingsmen disappeared into the woods, Lord Terrowin now their prisoner. He had been easily subdued without his advantage. The three remaining men began to close in on the Beast, their intention to rescue me from what they believed to be a gruesome end. The smallest of the trio hurled a stone his way, and the Beast smashed it in the air with a heart stopping roar.
It was all the men could take; they took off running after their company, swearing obscenities in terror.
With a triumphant glance towards me, the Beast then too rushed into the forest, though heading the opposite direction. I knew I was meant to follow him.
He bounded through the woods, creating a path for me to follow in his wake. I pursued him through the winding and darkening forest until I lost sight of him—though the path was quite clear. After a difficult trek through, I finally discovered Blackhill looming above the trees with its darkened towers stretching high into the misty clouds. I hurried back up the stone steps to the front door, and it was there that Adrian met me.
Without a word, he took me into his arms and kissed me on the lips.