Mauris lifted the torch and lit it.
The flame flickered to life.
Orange light breathed into the ancient tunnel, pushing back the darkness just enough to reveal rough stone walls carved by hands long turned to dust.
He raised it higher.
"Ready?" he asked quietly.
Leah nodded.
Frauner said nothing, but his eyes were steady.
Thalia exhaled slowly.
Together, they stepped forward.
Their feet crossed the threshold.
And the darkness swallowed them whole.
The tunnel was colder than the night outside. Their footsteps echoed softly, the sound trailing behind them like ghosts reluctant to let them go.
Water dripped somewhere in the distance.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Thalia wrapped her arms around herself.
"I hate this place."
"You loved it when we were children," Mauris said with a faint smile.
"That was different," she replied.
"Back then, it was adventure. Now it feels like exile."
Leah ran her fingers lightly along the wall as she walked.
"I remember the first time we found this tunnel," she said.
Mauris chuckled. "You insisted it was a secret path to another kingdom."
"And you believed me," she said.
"I believed you could convince anyone of anything."
Frauner walked behind them, silent.
Watching.
Listening.
Protecting.
Thalia glanced back at him.
"You're quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
Frauner looked ahead.
"Ashenveil."
Silence followed.
The name alone made the tunnel feel colder.
Mauris spoke softly.
"My grandfather used to say Ashenveil was older than the kingdom itself."
Leah frowned. "Older than Greyvale?"
He nodded.
"He said the forest was there before kings. Before crowns. Before war."
Thalia shivered.
"Then why forbid it?"
Frauner answered.
"Because something happened there."
No one asked what.
They all knew.
Or feared they did.
They continued walking.
The tunnel stretched on.
They walked in silence after that.
The deeper they went, the quieter the world became.
Until,
A faint silver glow appeared ahead.
The exit.
Mauris lowered the torch.
One by one, they stepped out.
Moonlight washed over them.
They were outside the kingdom walls.
Free.
Cold air filled their lungs.
The open land stretched before them, vast and quiet.
Leah turned to the others.
"We walk from here."
Thalia blinked. "Walk?"
"Yes."
"All the way to Ashenveil?" Thalia groaned.
Leah hesitated.
"I… don't know."
Silence fell.
The forest lay far beyond the horizon.
Frauner smiled slightly.
"I know a place."
They looked at him.
"A man who owes me his life as I once saved him from gang of thieves. He keeps horses."
Hope flickered across their faces.
Mauris grinned.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
Frauner pointed.
"This way."
They began walking.
They did not know;
They were not alone.
A shadow moved behind them.
Watching.
Following.
Waiting.
They walked along narrow dirt paths and sleeping fields.
The kingdom behind them slowly faded into memory.
Thalia broke the silence.
"Do you think the rumors are true?"
Mauris shrugged.
"Rumors exist because someone saw something."
Frauner added quietly,
"And survived long enough to speak of it."
Leah said nothing.
Her mind was elsewhere.
On Ashenveil.
On proving herself.
On becoming more than a shadow beside her brother.
Mauris slowed.
His eyes narrowed.
He felt it.
Presence.
Someone behind them.
Watching.
He spoke casually.
"I think we're being followed."
Thalia stiffened.
Frauner's hand moved to his sword.
Leah's eyes sharpened.
"Lose them?" Frauner asked.
Leah shook her head.
"No."
Her voice hardened.
"Catch them."
Mauris nodded.
As they turned along a bend,
He disappeared.
Silent.
Gone.
A moment later;
A yelp.
"HEY...!"
Mauris emerged from the shadows.
Dragging someone.
"You," Mauris sighed.
He threw him forward.
Henry stumbled.
Grinning.
Thalia's face darkened instantly.
"Henry."
Henry smiled like a child caught stealing sweets.
"I wanted to come."
Thalia marched toward him.
"This isn't a game!"
Henry lifted his chin.
"I'm not a child."
"You're not trained," she snapped.
Leah rubbed her temple.
"We can't leave him here."
Henry smirked.
"If you do, I'll tell my father everything."
Silence.
Frauner sighed.
"I'll watch him."
Thalia groaned.
"Fine."
She glared at Henry.
"If you die, I'm not carrying you."
Henry beamed.
They continued.
Soon....
A small wooden stable appeared.
Lantern light flickered softly.
An old man sat outside.
He looked up.
His eyes widened.
"Frauner?"
Frauner smiled.
"Hello, old friend."
The man stood.
"You live."
"You sound surprised."
The man laughed.
"I heard you became a royal knight."
Frauner shrugged.
"I need horses."
The old man studied him.
Then nodded.
"For you? Always."
He brought them.
Strong.
Beautiful.
Loyal.
Leah approached hers carefully.
The horse shifted nervously.
Before she could react;
Frauner's hand caught her waist.
Steady.
Safe.
She froze.
Their eyes met.
For a moment;
Neither moved.
Then he let go.
She looked away.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
Henry climbed behind Frauner.
Mauris mounted smoothly.
Thalia followed.
Leah climbed last.
Frauner mounted.
He looked at them.
"Ready?"
They nodded.
They rode.
The land changed as they traveled.
First;
Barren plains.
Dry.
Silent.
Lonely.
Then;
Flower paths.
Soft petals scattered beneath hooves.
Bright.
Alive.
Then;
Marshlands.
Wet.
Heavy.
Breathing.
Henry whispered,
"This is amazing."
Then;
Bushlands.
Shrubs thickened.
Trees grew taller.
Light dimmed.
Air grew colder.
Finally,
They saw it.
Mist.
Thick.
White.
Endless.
And beyond it;
Trees.
Tall.
Ancient.
Watching.
Ashenveil.
Henry whispered,
"It's creepy."
Mauris nodded.
"Ashenveil Forest."
He spoke the name like a warning.
Leah asked,
"The bodies… where were they found?"
"East river," Mauris said.
"Can we go there?"
Thalia asked nervously.
Mauris shook his head.
"Guarded."
Leah looked forward.
"Then we go this way."
Frauner spoke quietly.
"The horses won't enter."
They were trembling.
Afraid.
Frauner dismounted.
Everyone dismounted following him
He gently struck his horse.
"Go."
They ran.
Free.
Gone.
Leaving them behind.
The narrow path stood before them.
Mist curled.
Trees towered.
Watching.
Waiting.
They stood together.
Hands joined.
Hearts racing.
Fear.
Courage.
Choice.
Leah stepped forward.
The others followed.
Together;
They entered Ashenveil.
And the forest welcomed them.
Silently.