William, Eric, Snow White and the six dwarves wandered in silence for the first few hours. Eric measured Will with his eyes, the prince maintained his vigilance, the dwarves mourned in the rough manner of Gus. Snow White, on the other hand, walked alone at a distance from them fighting with herself. She used a death spell. Ravenna had only taught it to her once knowing she would remember it. Snow White had been thinking for years if she could kill Finn or the Queen with the wand. In the end she didn't kill either of them, but some mercenary did.
-Avada Kirdova. It will give you powers you cannot imagine. Power over life. There is no greater venture into the power of black magic or the dark side of the Force than that- she once told her when she was a 12-year-old.
-Let's pause,‖ William instructed.
-You're in charge here,‖ asked Eric rather sceptically. William measured him with his eyes.
-No. But this is a good place, Huntsman. Just look that we are on a plateau. We've got the slope below us so no one's going to surprise us from the front, if any of their squad survived. It's about a day's drive to Carmathown. We can rest for a couple of hours.
The dwarves agreed with Duke's son. Eric muttered something and started preparing for the campfire. After a few minutes the hearth was crackling merrily and the dwarves managed to catch a couple of foxes on the nearby slopes so that there was food on the menu.
Princess and William sat in silence looking into the hearth fire. After a few minutes, the dwarves fell asleep and Eric closed his eyes alertly listening to what the youngsters would possibly talk about.
- 'It's hard to start somewhere isn't it?" began William.
-Yes,- replied Snow White dryly,
-So you have magic.
She nodded.
-Good. I met one wizard a few years ago, Theodrill. He is a great sage. He has left these lands, but he may return one day.
-Theodrill? That freak from the Misty Mountains that was told about in legends ? - asked Snow White indulgently.
- Oh no it's not a freak.- denied William- He helped us during the Battle of the Deer Yard. If it wasn't for him, more people from my father's fief would have died.
-Forgive me, Will. I don't know the history of that battle.
-Well, yes," he shook his head, "We had to leave Candlemas. We went to the Jar. Her army was... we didn't stand a chance. Many died. We were helped by the elves from the Moon Gate. And Theodrill. But a whole generation of good people died in the flames of that castle.
Snow White remembered Vorgath. His body ten years ago was brought back after that battle. He was a wreck of a man. And then he became a demon in black armour.
-What about Lord Hammond?-she asked stupidly, regretting phrasing the question that way. Will smiled just as indulgently.
- 'The old man is doing well. The elves have found us lands in the Wilderness area near the Moon Gate. A long way from Tabor. We don't seek publicity and after 10 years we somehow manage to hide from the Queen.
Snow gazed silently into the fire.
-And you?- he asked
She looked at him with pain in her eyes.
For 10 years I lived someone else's life. Ravenna locked me in the North Tower then discharged me and...and.
-She adopted you? We know that.
-You don't understand Will. I know her better than I know my own parents. I called her "mother" day in and day out for 10 years. She taught me about magic, about the things that run this world. We are pawns in the game of the Gods. They are on earth Will. Ravenna destroyed everything good in Tabor. Her empire grows every day, and I... Will I was a princess. I lived in luxury while my subjects starved, while Ravenna took children from their parents and put them in brainwashed schools, I kept quiet. Because I was the same kind of child. She hears us. I know that. I defend myself against her, but she knows my thoughts. She loves to play the victim. She could send a whole army, yet she doesn't because she counts on me probably coming to her myself. I am sorry- Snow White cried, and William quickly embraced her.
-Well. You are safe now. It's been a difficult ten years. For all of us. However, something changed about a year or two ago.
Snow White looked at him questioningly. Will licked his lips.
-You say Ravenna can hear us now?
-Maybe,‖ she replied questioningly.
- Then I'll tell you something. Two years ago I started to form a resistance movement with some people. We were small. We still are. Stealing supplies, attacking small units. But then the treasuries came in. We were quite successful in one action and they started to take an interest in us. What does it take to rob the Empire?
Silence fell around the campfire.
-It's enough to walk in like one. They are so proud of themselves. So fat and satsified. They can't even imagine that someone like me could enter their castles, their vaults. Sometimes all it takes is a spark. Ravenna's empire has squeezed people so tightly that some have even stopped noticing. However, something began to flow through these clenched fingers.
-I know what you mean. However, I am not the person to lead the rebellion William.
-So why are you going to my father? To wait for her? Carmathown will be attacked. We both know that. However, we have a chance to face them. To stop being afraid. To live at least for...
-Stop- shouted Snow White.
The dwarves and Eric immediately woke up. Eric improved his axe ready to attack Will.
-Something has happened-? asked Beith?
-No - replied Snow White- I think it's time to leave.
They crossed the pass and, after about a day's journey, the range of the Moon Mountains finally flashed on the horizon. Below it was a town with a castle adjacent to it. At the top hung a flag with a badger - the coat of arms of the Hammond family.
-Welcome to Carmathown,‖ announced William. Snow White could not believe that she had finally arrived here. After so many days of wandering, she was finally at peace.
The people in the town looked curiously at the dwarves and the girl. Eric remained alert for some strange twists of fate.
Duke Hammond was waiting outside the castle gates and was visibly moved. Next to him, however, stood a girl unknown to Snow, who reminded her of someone but she did not know who.
-Princess- Duke bowed and knelt down on one knee in front of Snow White. The girl immediately picked him up abashed by the reaction of her godfather and her father's devoted friend.
-Happy to see you, my lord.
-Impossible how beautiful you have become. You remind me of Ealanor. Duke paused and let tears stream down his face,
-I regret so much that I did nothing then. That we allowed ourselves to lose. That like a coward for 10 years I didn't even try to save you. We made that decision with the elves, the wizard and Rheus. But it wasn't worth it. Forgive me...
-You are not to blame, Lord Hammond- said Snow White- We were all blinded. However, let us rejoice in this moment. I need to rest.
After a while, Hammod immediately began preparations for a modest feast in the castle. Eric, meanwhile, went towards the river next to the castle to think about what to do next.
The two horsemen stood at a fork in the road. Their horses quietly neighed, sensing that the time for separation had come.
- I don't know this continent, master - said one clearly younger.
-You do not need to know it. The Force will guide you to your destination. But you must hurry. We have a maximum of three days to prepare for Ravenna's attack on Carmathown.
-Will he agree?
-You must convince him. After all, he is the heir to the throne. I think Philip will want to help his father's old friend.
-Okay, then.
The younger man mounted his horse and said:
-See me on the third day south of Carmathown.
He sped off, and the old knight watched the apprentice ride away on a narrow mission. He was reminded of something from a few years ago, when he had also trained a certain young man. That one, however, had gone the other way. He saddled up his bay steed and set off in the direction of Carmathown.
For those who are not among us- began Hammond. They sat in the hallway of his stool. He, Will, Snow, the dwarves, Eric and his two commanders chewed their meal in silence. From time to time the silence was broken by curt conversation about the food, which was simple but filling.
-I don't know what to say, Snow. It's a miracle that.
The argument was interrupted by the entrance of a mysterious girl who stood beside Duke during the pov. She sat down next to him in an empty chair, bowed to everyone and proceeded to eat as if nothing had happened.
-And you're late again, Emma? - I've been away for weeks, and as always our rock and mainstay is late for the festivities.
Emma stuck her tongue out at William, and Snow White snickered.
- Forgive me, Snow White, for not introducing- began Hammond- this is my daughter Emma.
-Daughter? Have you married, my lord? -she asked with a smile, and Duke lit up with a blush. William and Emma parried.
-He could use one,‖ laughed the girl- -no, I am adopted, your majesty. My mother served at your father's court. She died in childbirth while fleeing from Deer Yar. The lord took me with him.
-Wait,‖ whispered Snow White, -I knew your mother. She was my servant. Natalie.
Tears flowed down her face at the mere mention. Emma resembled Nat, but had eyes as green as her father's. Her father's... That monster in armour. No, no, he was still going to come for her!
-Yes. Nat, I mean your mum was my friend before all this happened.
Eric got up from the table, nodded and moved towards the exit. It was high time for him to go. He already had a plan for his life. He would go to Exelos, become a bounty hunter there and so live out the rest of his days away from the war with Ravenna. He was a coward, yet he fulfilled his task. Snow shouted something to him on his way out, but he did not hear what it was. He directed his steps to the stables where he had been promised a horse.
-Where's that, huh? roared Beith's voice. Eric sighed.
-On the road. It's time for me to go. As for the debts, I think Snow will settle everything for you for my help.
-You hear yourself, boy? Now go away? When this castle is about to be attacked? She needs you more than ever.
-She doesn't need me,‖ growled Eric, -she's got William, Hammond, you, if you're so eager for war. There is nothing more waiting for me on this continent.
-Well, why don't you stay so you can have something ?- asked Beith- You know how to fight, and people need leaders. I am only a dwarf, but you. You used to have that resistance movement of yours, huh?
Eric swallowed his saliva.
-I lost it then, Beith. I'm not going to watch me lose Snow White.
-You've come all this way to leave her now?
Eric nodded to the dwarf, mounted his horse, then quickly rode out of the stables and left Carmathown. He rushed so fast that he did not notice the other wanderer approaching the settlement. He stopped the mount at the signal of the guards.
-Who is coming?
The man removed his hood, his red hair still shining in the torchlight. His beard had become longer, but his gaze was still warm despite years of suffering at the banishment. He bit his lip and nodded to the guards. One of them recognised him immediately and rushed to the stool.
Hammond was discussing something with Snow when a guard rushed in breathlessly and shouted.
-Rheus Matir at the gate of our settlement, Sir Rheus has returned.
A crackle could be heard in the fireplace as Duke sank heavily into his chair. Snow, meanwhile, immediately moved towards the gate of Carmathown
