Ignoring the sense of unease, I waited for Sir Malen and Sir Daren to arrive.
Soon, they come back with three horses, each with a sword attached to the seat that draped to the left side.
I walked over to the black horse – a tough-looking guy named Mala.
During one of my visits to Eldusk Forest, I found him in. a wounded, weak little horse barely holding on to life...
When returned to the manor, I begged Master to take him; he reluctantly did. Then the physicians of the ducal house nursed Mala back to health.
While in that time I grew to love the little guy and often played with him in secret.
Though later I was caught, and Master scolded me quite a bit.
I suppose he took notice of my fondness towards the horse; Mala was given to me. He told me that "From now on this horse shall be yours. Take good care of him." Then Master went on to ruffle my hair as if petting a dog.
One may see this as affection if they did not know Master.
But then again, he is a man of many unspoken words.
One of the few things that belongs to me is this adorable guy ~.
I gently ran my hand over Mala's head as it leaned into my touch. recognising me as his master.
I looked towards Sir Malen and Daren and gave a nod as I too climbed up and settled down on the back of my dear horse.
Soon it was time to head inside the forest.
We entered: Sir Malen in front taking the lead and Sir Daren behind following.
I simply looked around. The tall trees looping over us... the forest lit by the moonlight and fireflies that suspiciously seem to be going to the western part of the forest.
A slight chill ran down my spine. All my nerves are on alert as if something is about to happen.
I looked around searching for something I don't know of.
I suppose Sir Daren noticed my unease as he quietly approached me.
"Is anything the matter, my lady?" His gaze followed mine towards the surroundings and then back at me.
"Can you hear it?"
His expression turned to one of confusion.
"Hear what?"
"Uhh...it's nothing."
Am I the only one who is hearing this melody of a woman singing?
"Please let me know if something is bothering you, my lady..."
I sighed softly.
We continued to go down the path. As we got deeper. The supposed-to-be smooth path became a little rough.
And as we got a little further, I noticed the shattered glass on the ground and then looked up at the magic lamp posts that had been broken.
"How did these things break?" I looked at Sir Malen. "I have no idea, my lady… Shall we continue?"
I nodded, and we went farther in, only to be blocked by a huge pile of snow. Now that I look around more. Snow is everywhere.
I'm aware this year it's snowing a bit more than usual, but this isn't something a snowstorm would cause.
Nor would those lamp posts simply break because of a storm. They are made to survive harsher weather.
They wouldn't break so easily unless someone tampered with them.
This is intentionally done.
Someone did this.
But why? What would they gain from making a food shortage in Korvayne?
I got down from Mala and gracefully landed on the ground. Both knights followed the swift. I walked closer to the pile and touched it. and looked up at the broken lamps dangling on the pool.
then looked at the rough ground.
"It seems pests are everywhere." A beat passed. "Let's retreat for now... and send a letter to the magicians' tower about getting these lamps fixed."
Both nodded and got on their horse. I took one last look around and got on Mala as well. We started moving.
Sir Malen and Daren were in front of me discussing something I couldn't hear.
I leaned on Mala slightly more... and closed my eyes, then took a long breath.
When I turned to the left side to look at the fireflies.
I noticed a hooded figure. just watching us... I quietly looked... at the pair of red eyes that was staring at me... I can't make out the face in the dark. Before I could do anything, a strong wind blew, covering my eyes with my own hood.
By the time I looked back, that person was gone...
I didn't mention it even when we got back to the now fully settled camp.
I approached Sir Daren as he was instructing a few guards right after coming back.
"Sir Daren."
Our eyes met as he turned around to face me. "My lady?"
"Could you show me to my tent?" I stated simply.
He nodded, gesturing for me to follow him. He led me to the tent set up in the middle of the camp.
He was about to leave him; I reached out and grabbed the edge of his sleeves. He turned around, a surprised expression on his face.
"Tomorrow morning... tell Sir Malen to handle the sight we saw in the forest. "I beat passed, and you and I will be continuing the inspection this time." My voice was low but firm as I said it.
He nodded in understanding as I let go of him.
"Rest well, Your Grace." He bowed and left.