“Hello to you too, Val.” Astraia scowled and replaced her bow on her back. “You realize there’s going to be even more bounty hunters in these woods with the king’s new decree?”
“Eh. Ain’t nothing we ain’t dealt with before.” He shrugged and placed his pipe in his mouth to smoke.
“Yeah, well, you won’t be the one fending them off, Val. Who are the lackeys?” Astraia turned toward the other two men on horses behind the buggy. They were both of strong build, with what appeared to be swords hidden beneath their cloaks on their backs, their faces expressionless.
“That there is Thalen, and the sour-looking feller is Vastor. They’re some hired hands of Delphi. She figured we could use some more swords this time.” Val gestured to the two men and winked at Astraia.
Her hair bristled, irritated at the unwelcome vagabonds joining their party. Delphi had been her closest friend since arriving in Tenebris five years ago with no money to her name and barely surviving on the streets. The old barkeep had found her hungry and homeless and provided her with a means to support herself by making deliveries. The only requirement was to never ask about the cargo and never question Delphi’s instructions.
“Fine. Are we ready?” Astraia nodded toward the buggy, covered in a large tarp, concealing whatever in the Stars Delphi was smuggling.
Val nodded again, puffing on his pipe, and urged the horse forward with a snap of the reins. Astraia spurred Orion onward as well, falling in step with Val. The two men took up the rear.
Astraia took a deep breath as the trees loomed closer. The morning fog remained on the ground, covering the path inside. The twisted trees curved unnaturally, beckoning the caravaninward, luring them in with the smell of pine and eerie quiet. Their contorted branches reached out toward the road, keen to snare any unsuspecting travelers.
Once the caravan broke through the tree line, the closeness of the trees intensified, the only breathable space being the road they traveled. One step off the path, and you were certain to get lost or swept up by one of the mythical beasts. If you believed such stories.
Astraia remained alert, scanning the forest for signs of threats. She made sure to peer over her shoulder occasionally as well to keep an eye on the two new additions to their party, unsure yet what to make of them.
Up ahead, there was a fork in the road, with the main road continuing to the right and the lesser-traveled path on the left. Not many people used the side trails because it was not as cleared, and bandits littered that part of the woods. It made a perfect way to smuggle goods to the river, albeit a more dangerous one.
Astraia drew her bow from her back once again and loosely nocked an arrow. She could not afford to relax for even a few moments. As the horses and buggy came to the fork, Val guided his horse to the left. He simply kept puffing on his pipe when the path veered into the darker shadows.
The trees morphed into more mangled shapes as they trudged forward. Little light penetrated the canopy above them. The shadows of birds flickered on the forest floor.
Astraia whirled her head to the right as a branch snapped. Her bow pulled tight, an arrow ready to down the unsuspecting enemy.
Just then, a murder of crows scattered from the tree branches, narrowly missing the top of Astraia’s head. She swore and relaxed her bow once more.
Val laughed. “Don’t let the woods frighten you, girl. They’ve survived more than any of us have.”
“Let’s just keep going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave.” She nudged Orion onward at a quicker pace.
Hours passed without incident. Astraia could feel her backside numbing from the saddle and longed for her small apartment bed. She could tell Val was feeling the effects of the long ride as well, noticing him rub the small of his back and stretching his neck.
She glanced back at Thalen and Vastor again. Their faces blank, their hands always too close to their cloaks. The bond in her chest stirred, uncertain and wary of the mysterious men. They had not given her a reason to suspect bad intentions, but something in her blood whispered that they would.
She gazed up at the Starfell canopy, the leaves of different trees knitted together with only small patches of sky peeking through. The woods would be blanketed in nightfall soon. They should be able to reach the river within the hour and could set up camp. Delphi’s contact from Virellia would collect the shipment in the morning.
“Let’s pick up the pace, gentlemen. We need to reach the river before dark,” Astraia called over her shoulder and urged Orion into a trot.
If the Starfell Woods were ominous now, it was nothing compared to when a starless night sky was overhead—when the true evil of the woods woke.
It only took another few minutes before Astraia heard the melodic sound of running water. She let out an audible sigh of relief and slowed her horse as she glanced at Val next to her.
“Thank the Stars. My old arse wouldn’t make it much longer.” Val laughed and smiled at Astraia.
The Hydraneas River had never looked so beautiful as the caravan burst from the Starfell Woods into the small clearingby the water. Not a moment too soon, as the last fragments of sunlight flitted on the river’s surface. The river was as tumultuous as it was wide. Rolling currents could easily drag even an experienced swimmer beneath the icy surface.
Despite its foreboding appearance, Astraia wished nothing more than to be free of those horrifying woods and drink the crystal-clear water it offered. She led Orion to the river’s edge, sliding out of the saddle. Her feet hit the ground, the impact vibrating up her vertebrae.
“I forgot how much I loathe long rides,” she groaned as she removed Orion’s saddle.
Astraia glanced over at Val to find him already setting up his bedroll for the night. The other men had set to work building a fire.They must be as tired as I am, she thought.
Within just a few minutes, Val had launched into cooking dinner, which consisted of potatoes and some veal he had brought with him. The four escorts sat around the fire, devouring the meal in silence. A palpable tension hung in the air, especially between Astraia and the new men with them.
“So…” Val began. “How do you two know our Delphi? Forgot to pay yer tab, did ya?” He chuckled. He speared a potato with his knife and gestured toward the two men before he plopped it in his mouth.
