Once again, Will groaned, feeling the deep ache in her bones. The creeping realization in her mind said that this had happened before. How many times has she woke up in an unfamiliar location? A faint sparkle of sunlight shone through the treetops as she tried to collect her thoughts. Her clothes were a little damp, as if the morning dew had clung to them. By the way, the sun was shining; it was barely midday, and the early morning hours had long passed. The fragments of memories from the day before were slowly piecing themselves together, giving her a sense of hope that they were getting closer to civilization. Even though Will had no idea how they got here and it was unsettling to know the strange creatures had handled her, this was still preferable to spending all day hiking through the dense forest. She pushed the tiredness aside and looked around, yet every movement caused sharp twinges of pain throughout her body as the burn on her side stretched and pulled the skin. The bandages were filthy and in desperate need of replacement, not that she had any supplies. The magic in her blood thrummed, yet it still felt like grasping sand slipping through her fingers. Sighing, she stood on her trembling legs, holding onto the tree for support. The weight of her exhaustion pressed heavily on her shoulders, but Will knew that resting would be futile. She needed to get home to the girls and her mom. Cedric was still asleep, half-leaning on the trunk; whatever the murmures did, he was out. In frustration, Will kicked his legs.
'Wake up!' She yelled, her voice cutting through the stillness of the forest. The sound seemed to startle a nearby flock of birds, who took flight in a flurry of feathers and chirps. Cedric jolted awake and looked around, caught off guard. He quickly regained his composure and rubbed his face, trying to shake off the grogginess. There was confusion in his eyes after realizing he had no recollection of what had happened. Will took a deep breath and mustered up a calm tone. 'The creatures knocked us out, and I don't even know where we are, but not in their forest anymore.' She tried to explain the situation as best as she could, but the disorientation made it difficult to find the right words.
'Fuck!' He groaned in frustration, dragging a hand through his disheveled hair. 'My head is killing me...'
'Well, my body is hurting too, so what else is new?' Will hissed in response, her voice laced with displeasure. She gingerly touched her side, wincing at the sharp ache that radiated through her frame. 'We have to keep moving, or the daylight will be wasted. Do you have any idea where we are?'
'Saintess, dammit, woman, shut up for a moment! I have to think and can't do so while you're babbling!' He spat, feeling irritated by her voice.
Will clenched her teeth, a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue, but forced herself to remain impassive because arguing did not solve a thing when they were both in such dire straits. Cedric stood and stretched, then shook his head, trying to focus on his surroundings.
'Wait here. I'll go look around.' His nose flared as he took a deep breath. With a determined expression, Cedric walked away, leaving Will alone with her thoughts and growing anxiety. Minutes ticked by, and she propped her head on the tree bark, closed her eyes, and tried to calm her racing heart with steady breathing. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind provided a temporary distraction from the overwhelming silence that enveloped the forest. She was hungry, thirsty, hurt, and wanted to cry, but giving up would not help anyone. After a few long moments, Cedric was stomping back out of the woods.
'I have bad news and good news.' He said, approaching her with a mix of concern and relief. 'We're not completely lost. There is a road a few paces ahead. Based on the footprints left, it is not heavily traveled. However, I am uncertain as to where the path leads.' He shrugged, but Will saw the tension in his shoulders, wondering why it was when there was finally a glimmer of hope in finding some help.
'Well, let's go. What are we waiting for?' Her mood was lifted, even thinking about the end of this predicament.
'I would advise caution... We are not the most favored people in these lands, and the kingdom is not what it once was,' warned Cedric. 'Along the way, we may encounter hostility or danger, and we are ill-equipped to defend ourselves.' Will nodded, understanding the potential risks, but determined to continue as long as her body allowed.
They broke through the thick foliage and bushes to reach the forest track. It was wide enough to travel by carriage or cart, but the middle of the line was overgrown and had a few scattered branches lying on the path. But it was a path, which was preferable to nothing because all roads lead somewhere. Cedric looked around and walked a few paces here and there, investigating the ground.
'The wagon traveled through here not long ago; the grass is disturbed, with a few horse footprints there and in between.' He said this, crouching down and pointing at a round hoof imprint.
'That's good news; I take it?' Will asked. A cart meant people and help—maybe even a village somewhere.
'Perhaps... We do not have a choice except to follow the trail. I'm not sure what we find in the end.' He shook his head and looked at her. 'Your hair color is beginning to show...' he muttered absentmindedly. Will had almost forgotten about it, but now, after she wiped away some tangled tresses, her palm came away gray.
'Let's go. There is nothing we can do at this point.' Cedric grimaced and started walking.
The sun shone on her head and shoulders where the canopy of threes did not cover the sky, and Will soon began to sweat. The irritating heat and the constant pain from the injury made every step agonizing. She tried keeping up with Cedric's brisk pace, but her body was heavy and sluggish. Her energy was dwindling with each step, and her legs threatened to give way beneath her. Will wished for a brief respite, a chance to rest and recover, but time was not on their side, and they needed to keep moving if they were to have any chance of survival. The two walked many miles, but the road did not change much; just a few clearings came and went as they trudged on. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, making each step feel like an eternity. Will's mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead and whether they would ever reach safety. But she pushed those doubts aside, determined to persevere despite the physical and mental exhaustion. Soon, it was not enough.
'Cedric, stop...' Will muttered as her vision blurred. She attempted once again, but her voice was weak and barely audible. The fatigue had taken its toll, and her body could no longer keep up with the demanding pace. Desperation swept over her; Cedric was too far ahead, and she was almost left behind. 'Stop, I said!' Will grasped the invisible golden chains, tying them together, and pulled. The sudden jerk caused Cedric to trip and turn around, finally noticing Will's struggle to keep up.
'Fuck!' He swore, rubbing his wrists. 'Why did you do that?' He shouted, getting up and stomping over, but Will just groaned and sat on the ground. She looked up at Cedric, exhaustion evident in her eyes. 'I couldn't keep up anymore,' Will mumbled, her throat dry from exertion.
'Fine! We rest.' Cedric huffed in frustration, but it was evident he was tired too. 'How is your wound?' He inquired, kneeling beside her. Will winced, her hand instinctively going to the bandage on her side.
'It's throbbing,' she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
'Let's get off the road and consider our options.' Cedric grimaced but helped her stand and go a little bit into the underside of the path, propping her against the tree as a suitable place to take shelter. The forest seemed dense and ominous, but it provided much-needed cover from prying eyes.
'Show me.' He helped her out of the coat and carefully lifted the edge of the bandage, inspecting the wound. Will shivered as he checked, noting the redness, swelling, and cracking on the skin. 'It looks infected...' Cedric observed.
'It's not.' Will disagreed. 'I haven't been sick for a long time, if you do not count battle injuries or misuses of magic for which you were responsible.'
'Heh,' Cedric chuckled. 'So, the Guardian of the Heart is not as invulnerable as everybody believes. You are, however, mistaken. When magical reserves run out and all the remaining energy is spent on repairing whatever injury is sustained on the inside, you can become as sick as any other magical being. Guardian, you took a hit from a powerful enchanted weapon; there are bound to be consequences.' He shrugged, unconcerned by the situation. 'If we were not connected, I would let you die, but the odds are not in my favor.'
'As you remind me at every opportunity,' Will glared. 'But you underestimate me. I may not be invincible, but I refuse to give up easily. I've faced countless challenges before, and this will be no different.' Determination radiated from her, even through the grime and sweat on her face. She had already survived more than a few battles and wasn't about to let a mere hit from an electrical weapon bring her down. With a defiant smile, she declared, 'I'll find a way to overcome this, just like I always have. And when I do, you'll realize that underestimating me was your biggest mistake.'
'Be as it may, but in order to present a challenge, you must first survive and admit you need me, or this would not have occurred.' Cedric smirked and lifted his hands, showing glimpses of gold marks on his skin. The sight of the glistening lines on Cedric's wrists sent a shiver down her spine. She was aware of her actions and the significance they represented. Will met his gaze and replied, 'I may need your help now, but mark my words, Cedric, the day will come when we will confront in a battle once more, and then I will prove that I am stronger than you. Your tricks and manipulations won't work on me forever.'
Cedric chuckled, his eyes gleaming with confidence. 'We shall see, Will,' he nodded, but his voice was dripping with malice. 'But keep in mind that I always have a few tricks up my sleeve. Until then, enjoy your temporary victory. I will try finding us some water.' With a smug smile, Cedric stood up and once again disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving Will to ponder over their predicament. She watched his retreating figure with unease settling in her gut, knowing that Cedric was cunning and resourceful, and his confident demeanor was not an empty facade. Their battle of wits was far from over.
She exhaled deeply and leaned against the rough trunk to conserve energy. The trees swayed in the breeze, and sunlight filtered through the foliage, creating erratic patterns on the forest floor, where the wildflowers appeared as a single specter of color. Her head felt dizzy and her mouth dried, and the pain faded to a dull ache in the background as the warm rays warmed her face, or was that a fever speaking? Will could tell her condition was deteriorating when the birdsong overhead became a muddled symphony of indistinct chirps and the rustling of the leaves created a distorted melody. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting foliage, which clouded her senses. Will struggled to keep her eyes open, feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling her deeper into a dizzy state. The vibrant colors of the blooms appeared to blend together as if dancing in a dreamlike haze, matching the distorted rhythm of her thoughts. Time seemed to slip, and Cedric was nowhere to be found, making her want to pull on his chains to bring him back. Yet she hesitated, knowing that without water, they would both suffer.
A distant sound cut through her mental fog—a rhythmic clip-clop of hooves accompanied by the creaking of the wooden wheels over the earth. Will turned her head toward the noise, her eyes widening with hope. Ignoring the pain, she stood, put on the dirty coat, and wandered over to the road, hoping for help. Emerging from the underbrush, she outstretched her hand, trying to halt the cart but only managing to stumble in the middle of the path, finding herself face-to-face with a stranger and his horse, whose curious gaze mirrored her own uncertainty.
'Please, help me...' Will hesitated before speaking, her voice laced with caution. She could sense the stranger's reluctance, but his kind eyes gave her a glimmer of hope. Gathering her courage, she continued, 'I am injured and lost. Can you guide me to the nearest town or offer any aid?'
The old farmer, with a brown face and long, pointed ears, adjusted his straw hat with a calloused hand and gave her a measured look. The stillness was broken by the horse's whining and the creaking of the cart as the man tightened the reins, cackling for the animal to remain still.
'Lost, are ya?' He finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble that matched the ruggedness of his appearance. 'Well, I reckon I can help ya out. The nearest village ain't too far from here,' he pointed forward with a weathered finger. 'Mind telling me how you got here, missy?' He inquired with a curious voice. 'Dangerous things happen here...' The man whispered to himself with a slight grimace.
Will bit her lip, trying to think of a plausible explanation, but her mind was blank. 'I took a wrong turn while traveling, then had an accident in the woods, tripped and fell on a nasty root, been wandering for days, trying to find my way...' she trailed off, realizing her story was becoming too convoluted. As he looked at her rugged appearance, the old man's eyes narrowed, and his gaze became skeptical. The farmer scratched his chin thoughtfully before finally speaking, 'Well, you better come with me to the village. We'll figure out what to do with you there. Climb on board; we'll arrive in a few hours.' The man offered, motioning towards the back of the straw-laden cart. Will exhaled a sigh of relief and gingerly climbed onto the wagon, narrowly fitting between the bundles of dry grass. The elderly guy seized the reins, and the horse immediately resumed its journey. As the mare plodded along the dirt road, her pace was slow but steady. As Will watched the scenery go by, her mind raced with questions about the village and what awaited her there. The old farmer seemed lost in his thoughts, occasionally glancing back at Will with a reassuring smile.
Silence hung in the air for a while, broken only by the rhythmic clopping of the hooves. 'Thank you for helping me...' Will finally spoke, her voice carrying a blend of weariness and gratitude. The elder turned his head slightly, his eyes filled with kindness. 'It's no trouble at all,' he replied softly. 'People need a helping hand from time to time.'
Will hummed in response, choosing to remain quiet because not all the people she met were kind. She had already learned a tough lesson: trust is a delicate matter that can easily be broken, but she had no choice but to trust this stranger.
The cart rattled along the forest trail, its wooden wheels turning with a rhythmic creak that made her sleepy. Shadows of dappled sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, creating a play of silhouettes on the ground. The road seemed to stretch endlessly, the towering trees forming a natural cathedral above them. Will nestled into the fragrant straw, her eyes closing, exhausted to the bone. Despite this, she refused to fall asleep. Too many times, she ended up in dangerous situations after closing her eyes. Soon, Will's eyelids became heavier as the gentle breeze rustled the leaves, tempting her to succumb to the lullaby of the creaking wagon, and despite the constant throbbing in her side, she finally felt comfortable...
The sound of the horse's neigh startled her awake, and Will opened her eyes, realizing she had dozed off. As the wagon trekked forward, the dense forest gradually transformed into sweeping clearings with views of distant hills and valleys. The faint sound of civilization reached her ears, and when she turned her head, there was a town straight ahead, with narrow streets paving the way to bustling life. The cart soon rattled over cobblestone streets as the farmer led it into the bustling village, its quant buildings painting a tapestry of colors and activities. The town square appeared to be bustling with merchants and people, but despite the colorful flags hanging around the houses, the people's faces were gaunt, and the produce on the stalls was scarce. The aroma of freshly baked sourdough permeated the air, as did the sound of vendors hawking their wares. Upon closer examination, it became evident that the once-prosperous market was struggling to thrive. Will's stomach gurgled, and her mouth watered at the mere thought of food. The elderly farmer laughed at her expense.
'Let's get something into ya, lass.' He said, slowing the cart by the bigger building with the horse stable attached to the main house. Going by the large wooden sign hanging by the door, it was a local inn, even if she could not read the name on it. Will hopped down on the pavement, wincing and nearly doubling over on the unsteady legs numbed by sitting too long in one place.
The inn's door creaked open, enveloping her in the low hum of patrons conversing over mugs of ale and meals. As they walked in, the innkeeper, a stout woman with a friendly face and a white apron, nodded in acknowledgment.
'Take a seat, miss, mister.' A young girl soon ran up to visitors, ushering them to a sturdy wooden table in the corner. The teen scrunched her nose, as if Will's appearance offended her, and her smile became strained. Will self-consciously huddled the dirty coat closer around her body, hiding her uniform, feeling out of place in the warm and cozy atmosphere of the inn. She couldn't help but wonder if her ragged appearance was causing discomfort to the other patrons. Nevertheless, they took seats, and she tried ignoring the lingering stares from those around her.
'I don't have any money...' Will said it in regret, now thinking that maybe this was a bad idea.
'Do not worry, lass, I've got it covered.' The old man nodded to her and stood up, going to the place where the pots with mysterious substances bubbled over an open fire.
'I don't even know your name...' Will whispered to herself, watching her companion converse with the innkeeper. As she waited, the room seemed to get quieter, making her feel even more self-conscious about their presence. Will's gaze wandered, drawn to the interactions around her. The clinking of the tankards, the strange aroma of the dishes on the tables, and the distant laughter somewhere above created a lively atmosphere. Unbeknownst to her, there was tension lurking behind the facade of merriment. The innkeeper's eyes darted nervously, and a few patrons exchanged furtive glances. After satisfying her curiosity, Will slumped over the table, lowering her head from exhaustion. If she had looked closer, the Guardian would have seen the innkeeper nod to the scullery boy, who then slipped out of the hall.
A few moments later, four guards in gleaming armor burst into the inn, causing all conversation to cease. The men's presence sent a wave of unease throughout the room as everyone anxiously awaited their next move. The tension was palpable as they scanned the crowd, their gaze narrowing on her. Will lifted her head and froze. Instantly realizing that they were after her, she stood up, attempting to put as much distance between the soldiers as she could, but other customers followed her every move.
'Do not resist, Guardian, or we will use force,' One of the armed men said, pulling out the manacles that gleamed in the candlelight.
Outnumbered and lacking the strength to resist, Will found herself at the mercy of the men before her. Fear gripped her as she realized that fleeing would be futile. Standing in the middle of the crowd, Will felt overwhelmed by their presence, which made her give in to their demands. She silently extended her hands, which were quickly enveloped in the frigid embrace of metal restraints. As the guards escorted her away, Will seethed with anger and helplessness, and the distant memory of Cedric's warnings rang in her ears.
'I hope you're happy!' She spat at the old man, who was slowly counting his money on the bar. The farmer glanced up at her with a sly smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. 'Business is business, lass. It turns out helping you has a higher price than goodwill.' He shrugged and took a sip from his drink.
Before she could respond, the armed men dragged her away. They led her through the town's narrow streets until the group came to a sturdy stone building with an iron-reinforced wooden door. Will shuddered, her anxiety growing as they pushed her into a dimly lit corridor. The soldiers led her down the stairs into a damp passage where the air was heavy with the odor of mildew. The occasion lamp on the ceiling cast moving shadows on the rough-hewn walls.
When they arrived at a cell, the guards unceremoniously pushed her behind iron bars. The metallic clang of the closing door reverberated through the small space.
'Report to the captain the arrival of a new prisoner, the girl whom everyone was searching for...' was the final phrase she overheard as the soldiers departed.
She sank to the stone floor, surveying her surroundings. The cell held a solitary cot covered with straw, a rusting bucket, and little else. The cold floor seemed to leach warmth from her body as she sat in quiet resignation to the harsh reality she found herself in. Pondering the twist of fate and her stupidity, Will tugged on the golden thread connecting her to Cedric, hating herself even more for not heeding his warnings and needing him to help her again. Without magic, she was nothing more than a lost girl learning the consequences of her actions. Will sniffed, holding back the tears curling up on the uncomfortable cot. The dim lighting felt suffocating, amplifying the isolation and despair of the underground. Her mind raced with regret, replaying the events that had led her to this point and trying to make a plan on how to get out of this mess. She had no choice but to wait for help. The only sounds that accompanied her were the echoes of footsteps and the unsettling clanging of the heavy metal doors above her.
I will be putting this story on Wattpad if anyone prefers reading there :)