Chapter 3
Chapter Three
I stood by the fireplace, fanning the embers back to life, their crackling warmth a comforting presence in the muted light of the room. The familiar scent of burning wood soothed my senses as I took in the peaceful scene. Arnica slept nearby, her form gently rising and falling beneath the cosy blanket, a book still clutched in her hand. I approached quietly—carefully—to adjust the blanket and ease her into a more comfortable position. Her serene expression prompted a fond smile on my lips as I left her to rest and entered the next room, finding Jesse sprawled on his mat in a deep slumber. I leaned against the door frame, listening to his rhythmic breathing that harmonised with the crackling of the fire, a soothing and serene melody filling the cabin.
I grabbed my coat from the hook and draped it over my shoulders before retrieving the lantern from the kitchen. Perhaps now was a good moment to explore the cabin’s surroundings. I was putting off sleep for tonight, unable to shake the unease that lingered like a shadow. I knew that if I slept, I would once again fall into a nightmare. I struggled to move beyond the vivid, haunting images replaying in my mind. Those dreams clung to me, a ghostly presence refusing to let go.
It wasn’t the first time I’d dreamt of my death. These nightmares had been a constant companion since childhood and were always the same, with me standing there, witnessing my demise. The details of the nightmare were unmistakable, except for the end, which was veiled in darkness, accompanied by three words I didn’t know the meaning of: “Virella. Somnus. Aeternus.”
Each time, I awoke drenched in sweat, my heart pounding, and those haunting words echoing in my mind. No matter how much I tried to forget, they were a relentless reminder of a fate I couldn’t escape. The visions grew more vivid, and the darkness more tangible, as if the dreams were no longer confined to my sleep but seeped into my waking hours.
I sighed, peering up at the stars. There had to be more to life than this. Arnica and Jesse deserved more than this endless cycle. For them, I wished for a future full of possibilities, where they could chase their dreams, live freely, and maybe even fall in love and have a family of their own one day.
I raised my lantern. It felt eerily quiet out here tonight, the only noise being that of snapping sticks and a chorus of bullfrogs in the clearing.
I peered ahead, squinting into the darkness. There it was. Over and above me, the protective shield remained. I followed it around the cottage but stilled at a faint flash of light shining from my pendant and reflecting off the shield. I glanced down and held it between my fingertips, marvelling at its beauty. A familiar warmth fluttered through me, followed by a sharp heat on my fingertips.
“Ouch!” I snatched my hand away and held it before me, my fingers reddening. “What in the world?” I blew on my fingers, hoping to soothe them. Around me, the trees began to flutter and shake, leaves rustling and branches swaying. I instinctively backed away, inching closer to the cabin for safety. I wrapped my arms around my chest at the cold air against my bare skin. Frozen for a moment, I listened, opening my senses. A rush of cold air hit me, and I stumbled back, digging my toes into the ground for purchase. Then it stopped, and everything fell silent, the night reverting to its initial stillness.
Another blast of air hit me, and I quickly raised my arm to shield my face. “Gods!” I let out a startled cry as the hit sent me tumbling.
I whipped my head in all directions before regaining my footing. Words, faint yet insistent, surged past me.
“Runnnnnnn,” they instructed, compelling me to take heed. “Runnnnnnn.” The trees now crackled with an angry intensity, demanding me to listen.
Flashbacks of my father instructing me to do the very same thing flooded back to me, and I vividly recalled the weight of Jesse in my arms, as well as Arnica’s cries. I squeezed my eyes shut; I had to be dreaming. I dug my fingernails deep into my palms, using the pain to ground me. It was all too sudden.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. I frantically scanned my surroundings, searching for another option, praying for another way.
“Runnnnnn.” It told me again.
“I can’t do this, you hear me? I can’t do this!” I spoke the words out loud this time, though I needed to say it louder—I needed to scream it. The enormity of it all overwhelmed me—I didn’t have the strength or energy to do this again. How much longer could I endure this? How many more times would they hunt us down?
“You have the strength, Jayne.” Those words were unwavering. Definitive. I pulled myself off the ground and sprinted toward the cabin, my feet pounding the earth. Bursting through the front door, I slammed the lantern onto the table.
“We need to leave! Jesse!” I called out to the next room.
Arnica leapt to her feet, her weary eyes meeting mine. “What is it? What’s happened?”
Jesse burst through the doorway, his face a frantic mix of confusion and urgency. I spun around, my breath catching as my eyes darted between them. “They’re coming, Arnica!”
Arnica darted toward the window to peer outside.
“How can you be sure?” Jesse looked at me with fear etched in his hazel eyes. Before I could explain, Arnica began frantically gathering supplies and moved toward the three backpacks in the corner of the room that we had readied for an event like this. We knew it was a possibility, but we had hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. I paused for a moment, watching Arnica move so quickly. There was little time for questions.
“I don’t know how, but they’ve tracked us down. I don’t have time to elaborate!” I shot him a warning look, and without another word, Jesse reached for his sword while Arnica secured her belt around her waist and slid her daggers into their sheaths. When she finished, she ran over to Jesse.
“Put this on,” she instructed, securing a vest over his head. I waited for the fight and the objection, but he did not protest. He remained motionless, fixated on the wall before him. Arnica and I were still in our nightgowns, though it would have to do. I slipped into my boots and fastened my coat. I slung my quiver across my back, my arrows already locked in place.
Arnica passed me my bow, and our gazes locked in silent understanding. “Ready?”
“Ready,” I affirmed with unyielding resolve.
We froze as a distant whooshing sound came from outside, the noise resembling fire. Bringing my finger to my lips, I shared a look with my siblings, then nodded toward the back door. Arnica took the lead as we moved outside, with Jesse between us. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness as we navigated the path through the woods and forest. Dawn, fast approaching, cast a faint orange glow on the horizon with the promise of daylight. I urged myself to move quickly, and Jesse and Arnica mirrored my urgency.
We had mapped out our escape the day we arrived, and though the path was difficult to see in the darkness, it was clear to us. We had it memorized, having trialled it before—once during daytime and the other at night. Yet we had torches when we last practised, a luxury we didn’t have now. We might as well have been blindfolded, relying solely on our memory to steer us through.
When we reached the top of the hill, we caught our breath. I tried to stop myself from looking behind us, but the pull of my heartstrings forced my head, and I turned to look, fixing my eyes on our cottage in the distance, now lit up in flames.
The chickens screeched in the distance as the fire grew taller, now ablaze, taking everything from us.
“Don’t look,” I murmured, my voice barely a whisper as I guided my siblings forward.
We moved steadily, the crackling of the fire muting our footsteps. Stones crunched under our feet. Jesse yelped as he slipped and fell to his knees.
“They’re over that hill!” A man’s voice echoed, urgent and close.
Arnica and I swiftly pulled him up, standing on either side of him, before launching into a run. Hitching up my gown with my free hand, I yelled, “We need to split up!”
They were closing in. The sound of their approach grew louder, and an arrow flew overhead, narrowly missing Arnica and splintering into a tree instead.
“Arrr!” She skidded to the ground before rising back up, readying herself again.
“Remember, Jesse, in and out of the trees!” I instructed, my voice tense. He nodded. I swallowed down the knot rising in my throat and held him close, not wanting to release him.
“Run as fast as you can!” Arnica commanded. “Go!”
Jesse nodded once more before taking off in front of us.
I watched him for a moment before saying a silent prayer and turning away. I raised my bow and squared my shoulders, sending my arrow into the empty space ahead. Arnica mirrored my stance, clutching a dagger in one hand and a sword in the other. Closing my eyes, I focused on the surrounding sounds, forging a connection with the land beneath my feet. Inhaling deeply, I listened until the rhythm of hooves and the earth’s tremors were unmistakable. I kneeled, aligned my shoulders, and arched my back, anticipating mounted soldiers. If they approached on horseback, my best chance was to stay low.
My focus shifted to Arnica, who, in a hushed voice, said, “Three, two, one.”
In a fluid motion, she hurled her dagger, hitting the first soldier squarely in his right eye. She pivoted and thrust her sword through the middle of the other soldier’s body. Her precision was remarkable. Steadying myself, I released another arrow, striking the heart of the horse’s rider before launching another to my left, then right. Each arrow found its mark as the soldiers fell to the ground.
I lunged as the next man charged. Swiftly slipping behind him, I plunged my dagger into the back of his neck. My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest heaving. I froze, taken back by the sight of Arnica, covered in blood, standing above five fallen soldiers, who lay at her feet.
“It’s not mine,” she reassured me, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips. Thank the heavens.
“There’s more coming! You go that way,” Arnica instructed, reaching for my arm. “Meet me in the cave.”
An image of the cave we had discovered when exploring the area flashed in my mind. It was a fair distance away, which wasn’t ideal, but it was our best option, given the circumstances. With no time to devise an alternative plan, I gave her a reassuring glance before sprinting in the opposite direction.
I whirled at Arnica’s shout, spotting her in the distance as the soldiers dodged the tree she had brought to the ground. Once again, she cried out, and another loud crack echoed. She shot a stream of water from her hand, hitting another tree and cleaving it in two. A man cried out in pain.
No, not magic! Don’t use magic; we agreed to avoid it ? —
If they witnessed our powers, our chances of disputing the allegations in court would be slim—a risk we couldn’t afford. I slowed my pace, seized by uncertainty. The dense woods obscured any clear idea of where to go. I couldn’t discern which path led out. Another scream pierced the air just ahead of me.
“Jesse!” I skidded to a halt. Dread coursed through me as I contemplated his predicament. Thinking swiftly, my eyes landed on a fallen tree trunk, and I darted to it, dropped onto my stomach, and slid along its length.
“I got one!” a soldier said. The sound of voices and approaching footsteps grew louder. Slowly, I flattened my body closer to the tree trunk until I was half concealed, the sharp prickly bristles digging into my skin and tearing at my gown. I held my breath, trying not to wince.
“Quit pulling, boy!” A harsh voice snarled. Maintaining my position, I edged around the corner, exposing myself—by only a fraction—to catch a quick glimpse. I counted ten men, each with the King’s Arms etched into their armour. We were vastly outnumbered.
A man on the horse held a long rope, which I traced until finding Jesse at the end of it, his hands bound before him.
“Release me!” Jesse strained, struggling to maintain his balance.
“Quiet!” The soldier yanked at the rope, and I winced, covering my mouth in horror.
“Scum!” They laughed. “The King is going to be overjoyed. A male is a rare catch. He has enough witches to get him through this lifetime and beyond.”
“Perhaps he will reward us for delivering this one.”
Jesse’s voice cut through. “I am not what you think I am.”
“Stop speaking, you filthy wielder! Or shall we gag your mouth, too?”
“Free me, and I’ll prove to you that there is nothing special about me.”
“Special!” The man spat on the ground. “The last thing you are is special!” Laughter erupted once more before they continued on their way.
I lifted my hand, readying to unleash my anger. Could I intervene? The urgency was crippling me. I cursed under my breath, unable to think on the spot. What do I do? Jesse squinted, looking in my direction before our eyes connected. He subtly shook his head, a slow, cautious gesture instructing me to stay concealed. It took everything in my power to stay hidden while the heat inside me rose and panic struck my body. They had my brother. They tugged at him, and he stumbled forward. I winced again, a surge of fury welling within me. I wanted to kill every last one of them.
“I will find you,” I whispered, though my words would not reach him from here.
As the men gradually passed me, I waited until their chatter subsided before searching for Arnica. With the break of dawn, the eastern horizon shone brightly in the distance. Rising onto my knees, I brushed dirt off my coat and ran my fingers down my leg, ensuring my dagger was still secured around my thigh. My other hand trailed behind to confirm the presence of the quiver fastened to my back.
“Ello there, pretty.”
I jumped to my feet and whirled to find a soldier across from me. The man reeked of unpleasantry; his long, brown hair was slicked back and greasy. It looked as though weeks had passed since he had last bathed, and the stench of tobacco was heavy on his breath, even from this distance. He was alone.
“Ah, you think I didn’t see your brother glancing over at you there?” His smile stretched, revealing teeth tainted by decay.
“I knew you would come out of your hiding place sooner or later.” He said, taking a step toward me. Reaching for the knife at my side, I drew it from its sheath and raised my other hand in the air. “Don’t take another step.”
“Or what? Are you going to hit me with your magical tricks?” He gestured toward my open hand. “Show me,” he provoked. “Go on. Show me what you can do.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said through clenched teeth.
“But you do, don’t you? You know exactly what I’m talking about! And do you know what he does with creatures like you… hmmm?”
The Obsidian Dungeons—the one place that haunted my sleepless nights. Whispers had spread about the King’s infamous torture chambers hidden underground beneath the castle. The absence of sunlight served a deliberate purpose, aimed at plunging captives into a realm of darkness and driving them to the brink of madness. Within this grim setting, they discovered two categories of individuals: the gravest of offenders and those gifted with magical abilities.
“We’ve been hunting for you three for a couple of years now,” he began with begrudging admiration. “Gotta hand it to you; you’re a slippery trio, ain’t ya? Always on the move, keeping a low profile. Whoever schooled ya did a damn good job.” He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, a sly smile curling at his lips, as if the moment was all part of his twisted game. “Shame, really… You’re quite the looker. It’s a waste to think your face will wither into nothing.” He raised his hand, inching it toward me. I lunged. My knife sliced through his finger, and with his focus broken, I pivoted, wedging my blade into his side.
I twisted and moved to flee, yet he gripped a handful of my hair and yanked me back.
“You little wench!” he snarled. He struck my face and sent me crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. A metallic taste filled my mouth, and I spat blood onto the floor.
“You hit like a pansy,” I muttered.
“What did you just say?” he demanded. Summoning my strength, I rose once more, though staggered from exhaustion. Everything ached. My head pounded as if all the blood had rushed right to it. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes. Fight, Jayne. You must fight! No, I couldn’t succumb—not now. I thought of my brother, sister, mother, and father. Their courage fuelled the fire inside me.
If I’m going to die, I might as well go down fighting.
“I said… you hit like a pansy !” I spat back. He lunged, but as his hand closed around me, a dagger sliced through the air, piercing his chest.
I flinched as a deep guttural groan escaped him. Shock widened his eyes as he stumbled backward, his grip on me slackening. He fell to his knees, releasing me in an instant as he clutched the embedded dagger with trembling hands. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt crimson. Within moments, he collapsed.
My gaze darted in every direction, searching for whoever had intervened. Heart racing, I nocked an arrow, readying myself.
From the shadows, a hooded figure emerged. Time seemed to slow, and the world hushed around me. I took slow, measured breaths as the figure advanced; each step felt deliberate. Profound. My heart thundered, the atmosphere stilling under the weight of the figure’s presence. The power emanating from them was palpable, a force and strength unlike anything in this world.
“Stop! Don’t even think about moving closer,” I commanded, my voice firm. The figure obeyed, raising their hands slowly in surrender. “Who are you?”
The figure shifted their hands to lower their hood, and I reacted instantly.
“I told you not to move!” I wasn’t about to risk them grabbing a concealed weapon. The figure complied, returning their hands to their prior position. Once more, I voiced my stance. “I will not be taken. You can let your King know he can go fu?—”
“We do not conspire with the King,” the figure said—a man’s voice, firm and controlled. Each word carried a weight of its own.
“Why is it you always seem to have the fun?” Came the swift interruption. Another man jogged over to align himself with his companion. A black scarf masked his nose and mouth, but unlike the hooded man, his green eyes and light brown hair stood out in the dim light.
“What are you gawking at?” asked the newcomer. His gaze connected with mine before glancing down at the lifeless figure beside me. “Well, hello there,” he chimed, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture.
“Seems you’ve made a new acquaintance, Brose,” quipped the other stranger, turning to address the hooded man.
I stood my ground, resolute. Two more men approached the duo, who were now exchanging heated words. Among them was an exceptionally short man, a sight I’d never encountered before. His red hair cascaded in a tangled mass as though he had dedicated years to its intricate weaving, appearing to use twine to hold it together. He clutched dual axes in his hands, weapons that appeared almost as substantial as he was. He wielded them with a mixture of anger and exasperation.
The smaller man nudged the newcomer swiftly, frustration etched across his features. I took a moment to study him. He barely reached the hip of the tall man beside him.
“What are you waiting for? They headed that way, you imbecile!” he berated, gesturing with his axe toward the open path among the trees, mirroring the direction I’d last seen Jesse and the soldiers.
“Ouch,” the green-eyed man grunted, massaging his prodded leg before pointing at me. “We got ah—held up,” he explained with a note of frustration.
Their attention was on me, as was the other man’s gaze, yet he was more imposing, his stature one of sheer brawn and muscle. It appeared I might need to take down this beast if I had any hopes of escaping this situation alive. A guttural growl erupted from his lips, sending shivers through me. His eyes, a mesmerising mix of brown and blue, held a primal intensity, akin to an animal calculating its next move. Before him, I must have looked like prey, vulnerable and exposed.
My face likely showed my shock and matched their dumbfounded expressions. The King had assembled an unconventional army—a band of rogues, perhaps? I scrutinised the four men until pausing on their leader, the hooded man in the centre. I lowered my drawn arrow, redirecting its aim toward his groin.
“Oh, Miss, that’s not a wise decision,” stuttered the short man, edging forward.
“On the contrary, I’d quite enjoy seeing how this unfolds,” the larger man chortled.
“Shall we place a wager?” he suggested. “My bet is she accidentally hits you instead.”
They exchanged tense glances.
“What is your name?” The leader finally spoke. His voice almost forced me to yield to his question; he gritted his teeth, a burning anger undercutting his words.
I forced myself to speak. “Who I am is none of your concern.”
“Is that the gratitude I receive for saving your life, Miss?”
“I had the situation under control,” I retorted.
“It certainly didn’t appear that way,” he shot back. I burned with the desire to wipe the smug look off his face. He took a deliberate step closer, advancing toward me.
“Don’t!” My necklace burned against my neck, illuminating the space. I drew the arrow back a fraction more, making sure the string was taut.
The one with the green eyes interjected, “Whoa, I think we all need a moment to take a deep breath and calm down. We’re not here to harm you.” They all watched the radiant light emanating from my chest.
“I don’t have time for this, so please let me pass! They have taken my brother and possibly my sister. He’s in grave danger; I need to find them!” The urgency rang clear in my voice. The tips of my fingers burned from the friction of the bowstring.
“Your brother?” The question fell from the hooded figure’s lips, and I swallowed. The weight of failure stifled my voice. I nodded and then lowered my head. I had failed. They had taken him, and I could not keep him safe. “It’s too late,” he said; his words struck me like a blow to the chest. Shocked, I raised my eyes to his. “Your brother is en route to the Obsidian Dungeons. There is nothing you can do to help him now.” His statement carried a heavy finality.
“Step aside,” I said, my voice laced with desperation. The tension between us grew palpable.
“No,” he growled. It was as if an impenetrable barrier had forged between us. His companions tensed, poised for a threat they couldn’t predict. Their eyes shifted between him and me.
“I will not let you go after him,” he declared, and I laughed.
“And who do you believe yourself to be, giving me orders?” I waited for a response. “Very well!”
My reply was immediate and unwavering. I released my arrow, and he unleashed a blinding light. It engulfed me for a fleeting moment before an all-consuming darkness followed.