A white blanket of snow covered the ground with tiny little snowflakes falling on top. The large trees were dusted lightly with snow and frosted tips on the leaves. The sky was a cloudy grey with a slight gloom to it. The bushes around the trees had small red berries and thorns sticking out in all directions.
Alina was stunned. She glanced back and forth between where she had just come from, the supposed wardrobe, and the new environment around her. It was clear she was in some sort of forest but where she had no clue. Alina stepped forward into the clearing, her feet once again crunching the snow and the sound still made her jump. Alina stood frozen in her spot, looking all around.
How is this possible she thought?
How could an ordinary wardrobe lead to this mysterious forest? It was obvious that it was no ordinary wardrobe. Alina's eyes wandered all around, taking in the beautiful forest that shimmered in the light. It was as if she was dreaming… was she?
Alina pinched her skin hard on her arm, wincing at it and looked around, hoping to wake up in the new bed of her home but all she was met with was the chilling snow.
So, I'm not dreaming, this is all real
Alina pressed on forward, her head whipping here, there and everywhere. Her stunned open mouth soon turned to an amazed smile, and she walked further into the forest. She reached out to touch one of the trees, still unsure of whether this was a fantasy or not and when she did, snow dropped to the ground with a clump, and she rubbed the very real leaf between her fingers. There was a pain in her palm, and she turned her hand over, seeing the pine needle sticking out of her hand. She yanked it quickly, like ripping off a plaster and winced only slightly but the pain went instantly after. A trickle of blood spurted out and she sucked the wound, the bitter iron taste of blood lingering on her tongue.
Anyone would have turned back around and gone straight back through the trees to come out the wardrobe again… but not Alina. This new and wonderful world was intriguing to her. She slowly walked on through the forest, clutching her arms as she was now painfully cold. She wished she had taken one of the fur coats now but her exactment was too much for her to go back and she wanted to explore.
Was this the north pole? Did she end up in Alaska? Did these trees belong to the beautiful forests of Iceland?
So many questions ran through her mind and as she walked and admired everything around her, she didn't notice the man walking hastily in front of her and she slammed into a hard chest, startling backwards.
"Oh, I'm sorry" the man stuttered nervously, and Alina looked up in shock.
The man was tall, with dark brown hair in a messy style, falling over his forehead. He had small brown eyes and a big nose. He was dressed in a strange looking coat, deep purple with grey embroidery along the sleeves. It stood out against the white fleece of snow, and he wore black boots and trousers underneath.
"No, no I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going" Alina said, and the man gave a small nod.
"Not to worry, these things happen" he said, and he narrowed his eyes on Alina.
"I've not seen you before, I usually come around these parts and this is the first time I've met you" he said a little wearily and Alina opened her mouth to speak but the words didn't come.
How do I even explain this?
"Is everything alright" the man said, and Alina looked up at him from her feet.
"Well actually… I'm not sure how to even explain this. What is this place?" she said, and the man looked shock, pulling back a bit.
"Why this is Ravka, home to Os Alta, the permafrost and Kribirsk, well and many more" the man chuckled softly, and Alina raised her brows.
"The perma-what" she said, and the man realised she genuinely hadn't been here before.
"Why, you're not from here are you" he said with a pointed look and Alina nodded.
"I'm from England, I… well it's a bit of a funny story really" she gave a soft giggle and the man smiled.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, I would love to hear, but not here, we must get inside, one because its cold and two because it's not safe, come on" he nodded for Alina to follow. Ordinarily, Alina would have been hesitant to walk off with some stranger. However, being the adventurous and sometimes naïve girl she was, Alina was more excited to learn about Ravka and followed the man anyway. not to mention he seemed very nice.
"My name is David by the way, what's yours" David asked as he led the way, trudging through the snow.
"Alina" she smiled and followed David.
David brought Alina to a small log cabin covered by trees and bushes. It was dark inside from the look outside and the whole cabin was made from thick logs, including the roof on top with a thin layer of snow. Icicles dripped from the edges of the roof and looked like glass daggers. There was a pile of logs outside the small porch and a bucket of pinecones. David pushed the door open glancing out into the clearing before following in behind Alina. It was dark and difficult to see, and David rushed over to the side of the cabin, mumbling to himself while Alina stood awkwardly in the corner. Suddenly, a bright orange glow lit the cabin up and a warm blaze heated it quickly.
"Please, come in, sit down and make yourself comfortable, I'll get the tea on" David smiled, and Alina perched herself on a wooden chair round a small table. The cabin was cosy and cute with little paintings and figures carved from metal and wood. Everything was intricate and detailed.
"Here we go" David came home with two steamy cups of tea, handing one to Alina. she cupped it in her small hands, sipping the hot liquid and it warmed her inside.
"So, what's this funny story then?" David asked as he sat opposite her. The fire crackled in the back and Alina gave a soft smile, resting the cup in her lap.
"Well, me and my brothers and sister recently moved to a new home from London to the countryside. London is in England. It's this big manor run by Professor James. He's a lovely man. Anyway, I was looking for something to keep me warm and I stumbled upon this wardrobe and as I was looking, I went further inside and well… ended up here" she said.
"Seriously, that's some wardrobe" David was gleaming with surprise.
"I know, I was just as shocked as you, I thought I might have been dreaming but here I am" she said.
"You defiantly are not dreaming" David said and sipped his tea.
"So, tell me about Ravka" Alina asked. she wanted to know everything about this magical place.
"Well, Ravka is home to king and the first army. There are several towns across Ravka and then there are the boarders who lead to Shu Han and Fjerda and of course the shadow fold" Alina furrowed her brows in confusion.
"The shadow fold, what's that?" she asked, and David held a finger up, standing up and retrieving a rolled-up piece of parchment. He unfurled it and on it looked like a map. Down the centre of it was a big black tear.
"This right here is the shadow fold, a wall of darkness created by the black heretic. A long time ago, he created the shadow fold out of anger, and it's been separating us from Novokribrisk, a part of Ravka. The shadow fold is a dangerous place, home to these terrifying creatures called the Volcra" David said, and Alina sank in her chair.
"Oh, that sounds scary" she said.
"Many people have tried crossing it and many have failed. We've been searching for a way to bring it down, but we've had no luck yet" David said as he sat back down in his chair.
"So, you live here on your own then" Alina said, and David nodded.
"This has been my little home, I made it myself" David said proudly.
"It's beautiful you've done a wonderful job" Alina smiled.
"Thank you, it took a lot of work but it's one of my best. It can get lonely sometimes, but I have friends who stop by every now and then. it's difficult to see them" he said sadly, and Alina frowned.
"Why's that" she said.
"Well…" David scooted closer to Alina, so they were nearly touching each other's knees. Alina leaned closer as David did and he whispered softly.
"The Darkling" he said, and Alina blinked.
"He's this very powerful and evil man. He's been trying to take over as the king for years now and some say he's going to start a war by using the shadow fold. Except he needs someone very special".
"Why is he evil" Alina felt tense, and her stomach was shaking a little.
"There are rumours he was the one who created the shadow fold, and some say he can easily kill someone with the flick on his hands" David sat back, and Alina hadn't realised her hands were shaking.
"Wow, I've only been here five minutes and there's so many questions that I want to ask" Alina said.
"Well, I could sit and chat to you all day" David said happily.
"Thank you… but I should probably get going, my brothers and sister are probably wondering where I'm at" Alina said.
"Well perhaps you could come back again, and we could have lunch" David said, and Alina grinned down at him.
"I would love that" she said, sipping the last of her tea.
David led Alina back to the trees she emerged from and as they walked back, the sky was darkening, shadows creeping from the bushes and trees. David didn't want Alina walking back on her own and he looked around nervously as the forest was turning darker.
"It was lovely to meet you Alina" David said.
"And you, David, shall I come tomorrow, and we can have lunch" Alina suggested.
"That sounds perfect, I'll meet you by those trees tomorrow then" David smiled.
"Alright, thank you for the tea" she said. Alina turned and took a deep breath, pushing her through the trees.
Hey so I hope you like it, please leave a review and let me know what you think will happen next