Chapter 23 Moir’s Shadow
My jaw clenched as I looked at the dark forest and then glanced over my shoulder. I’ve traveled far. Too far. Miles away from camp. It’d be nightfall long before I’d reach it.
Yet…
I looked back at the forest, recalling the bear that had attacked me a week ago. I got lucky and had a weapon. My gaze traveled over the elderly woman, and grimaced. I don’t think she has any weapons on her, and her age would make it impossible for her to save herself without help. Not to mention, it’ll be pitch black in the forest before long.
No point in turning around if it’ll be nightfall by the time I make it back to camp either way.
The captain is gonna skin me…
“Let’s go,” I said, tugging at Snowdrift’s reins. “We need to hurry before night falls.”
Isla smiled. “Thank you, My Dame.”
As we headed into the forest, the chilly gust that swept over the field and swayed the golden grass slowly vanished. The trees and undergrowth shielded us from the worst of the wind. I still shivered. My brand new armor could only protect me so much from the elements. The road’s dirt grew softer under the treetops, and mud flung up from Snowdrift’s hooves. Eventually, the forest grew darker to the point I had to squint to see the road.
Not good. What now? Should I head back to camp and take her with me? Try again at dawn?
“Ma’am,” I whispered, not wanting to catch the attention of any unwanted beasts. “It’s getting too dark. I suggest you come back to the knighthood’s camp with me for the night. You’ll be warm and safe there, and I’ll take you back to Velvetstone once there’s sunlight.”
I waited for her response, but none came. Silence.
“Ma’am?” I said louder, squinting beside my horse. It was nearly pitch black, but I hoped to at least spot her silhouette.
Nothing.
“Ma’am?!” I shouted, looking around wildly. “Can you hear me? Where are you??”
Snowdrift neighed, stomping his hooves. I brushed his neck to calm him down.
Crap! It’s so dark. Did we get separated?
“Damn it…!” I cursed under my breath, not even caring how foul my mouth was becoming.
Jackson was a bad influence.
“Ma’am!” I called again, tugging Snowdrift’s reins and slowly leading him down the road. “Ma’am! Follow my voice!” Taking a deep breath, I shouted, “ISLA! Answer me!!”
Nothing.
Damn it. Damn it!
My gaze snapped from place to place, leading Snowdrift slowly forward until I could barely see the road, no matter how much I squinted. I was forced to bring Snowdrift to a halt. I could see the silhouettes of the trees around me, but nothing more. The forest was dead silent.
Then I felt it. A suffocating sensation swirled around me. Invisible, but the air was flexing. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. A sensation of icy claws sliding down my spine raised goosebumps across my skin. The nightmarish memory of Robin’s friends chasing me with fangs and cat-like eyes triggered overwhelming fear.
What if they’re out here?
My heart drummed in my chest as my body trembled, my rapid breaths burning when the cold air filled my lungs. Snowdrift’s nostrils flared, his tail lashing. We had the same thought: run. Danger. We need to leave NOW.
Yet, I couldn’t move my body. Not out of fear, but of desperation.
Isla is still out here. If I run, I’d be leaving her to the mercy of Moir Forest’s beasts, or worse, those women.
The memory of my death crossed my mind. Nobody came for me in my hour of need.
I will not make the same mistake.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my posture and rubbed Snowdrift’s neck. “C’mon, boy. Hang in there with me.” My white horse grunted, but obeyed. I tugged on his reins again. Though I couldn’t see the road, I could at least avoid the nearest trees.
“Isla!” I yelled again, hand on my rope dart, ready to handle whatever monster would respond to me if it wasn’t the old woman. I jumped at the sudden sound of snapping twigs and whirled in that direction. My eyes widened when I caught a flicker of light. “Isla?!”
The light grew brighter as they grew closer, too bright for me to make out who it was. I recognized the fire on a torch, and eventually its holder’s face came into view. The sharp jawline, tanned skin, and narrowed hazel gaze of my disapproving captain. And he looked mad as hell.
“C—Captain?” I breathed, my body slumped from relief.
“Robin!” Jackson barked. “What the FUCK are you doing out here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”
“Th—there was a woman! Did you see her pass by?” I asked.
“A woman? What’re you on about?”
“An elderly woman. She was on her way to Embercrest Kingdom. I stopped her and told her it's on lockdown, so she asked me to escort her back home—back to Velvetstone. But, well… We got separated in the forest. It got dark quickly.”
“What?” Jackson looked me up and down, brows furrowing. “There’s no woman out here.”
“Yes, there is. She was just with me,” I protested.
“Robin.” Jackson’s tone turned stern. “You’re alone. You’ve been alone this whole time.”
My hands tightened around Snowdrift’s reins, frustration gripping me as I barked, “You’re not listening to me! Her name is Isla—she’s still out here! She could be hurt!”
“Robin!” Jackson snapped. His booming voice made me flinch. “The dirt is soft.”
“I know… It’s all over Snowdrift’s hooves,” I mumbled.
“Look around,” he said, waving the torch toward the ground.
I glanced at the dirt road covered in footprints from our horses’ hooves. My gaze traveled back to him, and I tilted my head. “Sir…?”
“Do you see any human footprints?”
Huh?
My gaze shot down to the muddy ground. He was right. Not a single human footprint.
“I found you by following your horse’s trail,” Jackson explained. “Not once have I spotted a human footprint. You’re the only one out here.”
My mind went blank as the world around me whirled. “No… N—no, that’s not… that’s not possible… She was here! She was just HERE! We talked about Drakeveil! She even spooked Snowdrift!”
“Robin—” Jackson reached for me, but I smacked his hand away.
“You don’t believe me! I know you don’t!” I shouted, panting and trembling.
“Robin,” he murmured, reaching for me again, grabbing my chin where I’d look him in the eye. “I believe that you saw and talked to someone. Still, evidence shows otherwise.” His gaze narrowed. “But I’d rather not find out whether what you saw was real.”
I gulped. His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I anxiously looked from side to side.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Jackson muttered, glancing around. “This place gives me the creeps.”
“Yes, sir,” I whispered, following him and Ruby. Snowdrift’s ears remained flattened. The suffocating sensation eased the moment Jackson arrived, but I still glanced over my shoulder. I couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on my back.