Chapter Two: Darkness Encroaches All

"You'd best be grateful." Yuugi chided, patting the side of Mahad's neck as they ventured further into Blackwood Forest. The sun had set an hour prior plunging the forest into a black so deep that if not for the spell-lit torches, Yuugi would have lost his way and fallen victim to its residents. He prayed to the Gods that he would find the proper wood and leave the forest quickly for his and Mahad's sake.

He placed a brave front for his Grandfather and Yoshimori and Rishid, but similar to the other villagers, Yuugi held no love for Blackwood Forest. It held dangers and secrets that Yuugi had no intention of unearthing. It was once home to a coven of witches that caused nothing but strife and despair for Illyrian Vilage. It wasn't until the current leader - and one of Yuugi's ancestors - drove the witches out of the forest, but not before the coven cast a curse on the forest and plunged it into a night so deep that it remained untouched for three generations. It was only within the last two hundred years that the forest was open and safe to travel. Even so, no one traversed the forest unless it was necessary. Unfortunately, Yuugi had a reason for risking his life tonight.

Rivenoak.

Rivenoak was a type of wood that burned all night due to the stored mana inside. It wasn't used in such a manner often because it was used for shields and bows much like his own. However, with the winter approaching and the Imperial order to restrict the use of magic during the season, Yuugi didn't have a choice. He couldn't let Mana and Mahad freeze to death during the night and he didn't want his Grandfather constantly getting up and stoking the fires with his weakening knees. So, Yuugi traveled to the forest and prayed that he would find enough because Rivenoak was a favorite snack to the monsters that called this place home. The absorption of mana increased their strength and doubled the magic of the ones that could cast. It was a sight to behold and a mess to clean up if one got caught in the crosshairs.

Yuugi tightened the reins on Mahad at the thought of a possible battle. He was well-versed in the ways of the bow and he would do what needed to be done to survive, but he, like many of the other villagers, had no idea what lay in wait in the depths of the forest, and he had no intentions of exploring more than what was needed.

"Come, Mahad," Yuugi whispered, tightening his grip on the reins. "Let's find what we need and be on our way, hmm? I don't like this place as much as you do."

Rivenoak wasn't particularly hard to find considering that it was bright and a teal color that glowed even in the darkest parts of the forest. So, imagine his surprise when he stumbled upon it and imagine his horror when he found a nest of monsters not ten feet away from it.

Mahad's soft neigh spoke volumes about the situation and Yuugi could only pat his neck in agreement before sliding off and lowering into a crouch and giving Mahad one last pat to his flank before crawling towards the pile of wood at the base of the tree while keeping a sharp eye on the monsters. Odd. He should have caught the attention of the monsters, but he wasn't complaining. As he reached for the wood, a screech pierced his ears, forcing him to still and slowly turn his head towards the nest of monsters who were all staring at him with blood-red, glowing eyes.

Shit.

Yuugi was on his feet and racing towards Mahad before the first monster, a goblin, jumped towards him and swung its rusted axe missing his neck by mere inches. He reached back slid his short sword out of its sheath and plunged into the goblin's stomach, flinching hard when the painful screech grated his ears. Yuugi pulled the blade out and rolled to the left when the second goblin rushed toward him, axe raised in the air and poised to strike and collided with Yuugi's blade creating a series of sparks that briefly illuminated the forest.

Yuugi grunted and pushed the monster back, charging forward and stabbing the goblin in the eye and quickly dislodging his sword when the last goblin emerged behind him, his own bloodied axe raised in the air and Yuugi had little time to dodge, rolling out of the way as the axe came down and buried itself in the ground, giving him the opportunity slice goblin's arm off before aiming for his head and slicing clean through its throat. He watched as the goblin collapsed to the ground sans its head and he was left with the dead silence of the night, his panting, and Mahad's anxious neighs.

He gave himself a moment of reprieve before wiping the blood off his short sword and moving to gather the Rivenoak, his hands shaking with the remaining adrenaline of the impromptu battle.

"Mahad." Yuugi breathed, setting the glowing wood into the pack. "Be glad I love you and don't want you to freeze." Yuugi gave the horse a strong pat on the neck before getting on and clicking his tongue.

Thankfully, the remainder of the trip was quiet and he breathed a sigh of relief as he and Mahad emerged from the forest and into the outskirts of the village. Darkness had descended, but it was far better than the inky blackness of the forest. He reached down and gave Mahad a soothing pat and continued to urge him down the dirt-ridden path.

"Yuugi!" a shout echoed in the distance and Yuugi squinted his eyes to see the silhouette of his grandfather in the distance.

"Grandpa?" He pulled the reins and urged Mahad into a trot as his Grandfather appeared in the doorway of their home looking frantic which morphed into a small glare when he saw him safe. "Are you-"

"I thought you were dead," Sugoroku muttered, displeased as his grandson only gave a helpless shrug. "Go get Mahad settled and come inside - we have much to discuss and I'm losing the patience to do it."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"I got us in trouble," Yuugi whispered to his horse, urging him towards the small stables on the left of their home. "But, I'm sure that he'll be pleased that we have enough Rivenoak to last us through the winter."

Yuugi slid off Mahad and urged him into a stable next to Mana and got to work getting them settled in for the night and making sure that the smoke from the fire was ventilated properly. The nights were growing cold and winter was setting in earlier each year. and it was a small cause of concern for the village which had less and less time to prepare for the hard frost. It was a problem that his grandfather was currently researching with Yoshimori with less than stellar results.

With one last pat on Mana and Mahad's head, Yuugi slipped out and back towards the house where an irritable Sugoroku awaited.

"I can-"

"What happened?" Sugoroku demanded. "Why are you back so late? Are you alright?"

Yuugi held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm fine - I'm fine. The Rivenoak was a little difficult to find and you know how it attracts monsters."

Now wasn't a good time to mention the goblins.

Sugoroku looked unconvinced of his excuse. He looked downright suspicious but made no further comment on Yuugi's delay.

"Did you gather enough for those two miscreants?" Sugoroku moved towards the hearth and stroked the flames before tossing another log into the fire.

"Yes, Grandfather." Yuugi removed the balm from his pouch and placed it on the sturdy table next to the window. The older man would be less grumpy once his joints stopped aching and he got a good night's sleep. "I brought your balm for your joints."

Sugoroku grunted in appreciation before urging Yuugi to sit at the table where a bowl of soup was waiting. "The bow was also repaired."

"Good." Sugoorku looked pleased and joined him at the small table. "You can start practicing and get a better feel of it."

Yuugi bristled at the command but made no move to protest. It was an age-old argument between them and Yuugi saw no need to bring it up. He was fine with a bow, but according to his Grandfather, he could better - better than his Father even - if he practiced.

"I'll wake in the morning and set up the targets." Yuugi kept his gaze lowered as he took a spoonful of soup to muffle his protest. The last thing he wanted to do on a cold winter morning was target practice.

"The moving targets will be set up as well." Sugoroku reached over and ruffled his grandson's hair. "I know that target practice is the last thing on your mind, but we must start preparations or do you not remember that we must deal with the Black Riders and the Blood Ceremony?"

Yuugi flinched at the harsh reminder and swallowed around the tightness of his throat. "I don't need a reminder of the coming days, Grandfather. I was there when the Black Riders took my Father."

A pensive silence followed his words and Yuugi made no move to apologize nor ease the tension. Simply rising from the table swiping the bowl back to the small kitchen and placing it on the counter.

"I know," Yuugi started, wanting to extend an olive branch. "I know where my duties lie, Grandfather. I know that our people depend upon us to keep them safe, but -" Yuugi stopped, giving the elder an imploring look. "Haven't you ever considered a solution? A way to destroy the Black Riders and free us from this curse?"

"Do you not think we have tried?" Sugoroku murmured, staring at his grandson and looking worn down and resigned. "Hour after Hour. Spell after a spell. We have tried to look for a solution that would rid us of his curse but to no avail. I have to watch as our people are sacrificed like lambs to a slaughter and still, they ask me to guide them. Do you not know how it aches to watch as our blood is spilled? And for what? Another safe year? Another safe month? You have the privilege of toiling away in your books with your mind miles away, but I am not granted the same luxury."

Yuugi flinched as if struck before lowering his gaze in resignation. "I am sorry, Grandfather. I didn't mean-"

"Hush," Sugoroku commanded softly. "You owe me no apologies. I shouldn't have yelled and tossed my troubles onto your shoulders."

"Your troubles are mine," Yuugi stated, firm in this belief. "As the next leader of the village, I am supposed to ease your burdens, but I have done none of that as of late. And for that, I am sorry. I let my woes make your burden heavier and that's the last thing I wanted, Grandpa."

"I know, my boy," Sugoroku reached out and swept him into a tight hug before stepping back and giving his hair a hard ruffle. "I know what happened to your Father still burns in your memory and who am I to tell you what to do with the feelings and actions that follow? So, the practice-"

"I'll do it, but might I ask you something, Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"Might I have permission to search for a solution?" Yuugi continued before his Grandfather could completely process his words. "If there is a way to place a curse upon a village and its people, then, surely, there must be a way to remove it. There was a time when Illyrian didn't suffer so, yes?"

"Of course."

"Then," Yuugi continued, placing a hand over his heart. "Allow me to find a path out of this darkness that has lingered over us for generations. Allow this mission to be my bow and arrow."

Sugoroku gave him a long stare. "And if this doesn't bear fruit? What then? This curse is generations old and we hardly have a record of it."

"If there's a record then there's a trail." Yuugi persisted, an excited flutter in his chest. "And I'll find it. I am your grandson after all."

Sugoroku let out a loud cackle at the bold statement and the resignation that sat on his face for most of the night vanished in a rush of reserved delight.

"Very well, if my permission is all needed, then you have it. I expect you to uphold such a bold statement and see our village and people out of this wretched hold, understand?"

"Yes," Yuugi breathed, eyes bright and excited at the task that lay ahead. "I understand."