The Untold Forest

by Elisa Menz

  His treacherous eyes went back to the human girl, but she was nowhere to be found. He turned to see Mynte sleeping, oblivious of the world. Worried, Regn stood and walked into the dark, looking for the human.

  He trod as lightly as he could, heading to the path leading to Hakken’s cave. Her flowery scent floated only a few steps away, so he lurked behind the bushes, watching her walk without a care in the world. Halfway there, she stopped and turned around. From his hideout, Regn saw her tense, studying her surroundings with concern.

  Did she sense me again? Her sharp instincts amazed him. But they were both startled when Vorka crept from the shadows, blocking her path. His nasty smirk shining under the moonlight.

  Maeve remained silent, clenching her fists and taking a step back from the menace. Regn tensed as he, too, sensed the danger. That man wanted to kill her. Not wasting time in threats or mockery, Vorka closed the distance and jumped at her. The deadly blow aimed at her throat.

  Regn didn’t hesitate this time.

  His body sprang to life, jumping in front of her and blocking Vorka’s attack. His nails dug in his arms, cutting the skin and making him growl, but the damage would have been far greater on her delicate skin.

  Vorka was a powerful warrior, much stronger than him, but Regn stood his ground. Maeve’s hands gripped his vest from behind, and he realized he was her only chance to survive. Determined to keep her safe, he pushed back. But a pang of fear shook him when he saw Vorka’s men approaching. He couldn’t fight the three of them.

  Their leader grinned. “It’s a shame, young Regn. I believed you to be better than this. Now you will suffer the same fate as this filth.”

  No time to think. He roared and pushed Vorka with all his strength, throwing him to the ground. He now stood defenseless. To his dismay, Maeve moved to stand in front of the man lunging at him from the side.

  Stupid human! She would get herself hurt! Regn held her, pulling her away from harm and bracing for the hit. He glimpsed a knife, heading for his ribs, but the pain never came.

  Like a blur, a massive body pushed against the attacker, sending him flying to the side. By the sound of it, he had landed on his knife. The newcomer then turned to the other henchman, smashing a fist in the middle of his face and knocking him senseless in a second. The brawl attracted the attention of everyone sitting around the bonfires, and help arrived.

  A steady hand ripped Vorka from the ground and thrown him back down like a lifeless rug. Towering over him, Hakken looked terrifying, fangs bared, hands itching to tear him apart.

  “You get to keep your life today, out of respect for your tribe.” His voice sounded terrifying.

  Vorka scrambled to his feet and ran away, leaving his companions behind. Coward! Regn let out a long sigh as his body relaxed. He felt Maeve moving, and only then he realized he still hugged her tight. He let go, embarrassed, and she jumped into Hakken’s embrace.

  For whatever reason, the sight of them holding each other made him frown. Before bitterness won him over, Maeve raised her eyes and held out a hand towards him.

  And he took it.

  CHAPTER XX

  THE WARLOCK

  Hakken

  Two days after the incident, the mood around the village remained strained. The men from the Red Moon Valley had left bitter and battered. Not that Hakken cared. They had threatened Maeve and attacked her. Other tribes might argue keeping a human in the Forest was reprehensible, but it made his blood boil just to think of how they cowardly targeted her while she was alone.

  Well, not entirely alone. Regn saved her. Again.

  Hakken growled at the thought, and Maeve’s eyes darted his way. She sat comfy between his legs, her tiny hands resting over her lap. They waited for the matriarch to address the gathering, surrounded by their tribe and the emissaries. The time to face war had come.

  The old mother stood in the middle of the large circle, and her deep voice echoed over the crowd. “Welcome, brothers and sisters from afar, and thank you for answering the call. We face yet another war between our kind, and this time our duty is to prepare for it.”

  Only the distant murmur of the river resonated through the village, her words awakening the painful memories of the past.

  “Eleven years ago, we were scattered and naïve, and a conflict that should have ended sooner took a terrible toll on us. This time, all half-breed tribes must protect each other.”

  While the matriarch spoke, Hakken translated for Maeve, talking to her ear. Even though she learned fast, she struggled to follow long sentences. Every word made her body tense under his touch, and he rubbed her arms, trying to soothe her fears.

  The matriarch then asked Regn to tell what he had witnessed at the mountain. Every tribe needed to understand what they were up against. He stepped into the clearing, sending a glance at Maeve before shifting his gaze to Hakken’s menacing glare.

  He couldn’t help being angry. Deep down, Hakken cared about the boy. He had watched him grow since he arrived in the village, as broken as himself, and he still regretted the way he treated him back then.

  But his sudden interest in his woman made him—

  Wait... did I think of her as my woman?

  While everyone followed Regn’s speech, Hakken couldn’t catch a word. The nomad might as well be ranting about the weather, since Hakken’s mind boggled with excitement. As he came to terms with this new tender sentiment, Hakken grinned and wrapped his arms around Maeve’s tiny figure, and almost burst out of bliss when she relaxed against his chest. Unfortunately, the perfect moment was short-lived.

  An annoying voice next to him forced his attention back to the present dilemma. “Yes, we have heard the story of the mysterious red dust, but we have yet to see proof of this ‘odd magic’ you talk about. You can’t expect our tribes to throw everything and march into battle with nothing but his word.” He lifted his chin, dismissing Regn’s testimony.

  Hakken didn’t recognize the man speaking. He was young, a boy during the last war. The urge to slap the arrogant smirk out of his face made his hands itch. He might hate Regn’s guts right now, but he wouldn’t let that cretin talk down on him. “You are welcome to pay the mountain a visit if it helps to convince you.” He barked at the young man, glaring.

  The effect turned out to be quite rewarding. The irritating emissary shrank and paled, while a murmur rose from the crowd. Another emissary—an elder—raised his hand to speak, and the matriarch nodded at him.

  “I will not doubt the word of the Children of the River. They have always been a powerful and honorable tribe. I do fear that without further information, all our preparations might be for naught.” Many nodded somberly.

  “Our people will be ready. We will fight alongside you if it comes to it, but I must request we seek counsel from the Warlock about this matter,” he concluded. Hakken had to admit it was a good idea, and they ran out of those. No half-breed, elf, or fae they knew held any answers to the red dust mystery. Fighting the unknown was never wise. So they turned to the wisest. The Eternal. The Warlock.

  A warrior raised her hand. A large woman, with a nasty scar crossing her nose and an even nastier scowl on her face. “Gremel is right. If anyone can give us an answer, is the Warlock.” Ignoring the crowd, she turned to the matriarch. “Since your people are visiting him soon, take that thing with you and have its fate sorted out,” she said, waving at Maeve.

  Hakken bared his fangs at her and growled, surprised to hear half his tribe reacting the same way.

  The woman was taken aback for a moment before frowning at them. “You might think our traditions are meaningless, but a human has trespassed into the Forest. I will not look the other way. If the Warlock deems her worthy, so be it, but if he takes her life, I will call it fair!”

  Maeve stirred in his arms, her beautiful face showing her concern. He had stopped translating for her a while ago, but she understood enough. The thought of her fearing for her life once again tugged at his heart.

  The
surrounding argument became heated, but Hakken could only focus on her, on protecting her.

  When the matriarch raised her hand, the brawl ceased. “It shall be done.” His eyes snapped at her. No! The elder sent him a discreet look, and as the crowd dispersed, he left Maeve in Mynte’s company before walking to face the old mother.

  “Are you insane?” He fought to hold back his anger. “I will not risk any damage done to her. I will not take her anywhere near that—!”

  “Oh, be quiet!” she scolded. “I don’t believe for one second the almighty Warlock will give a damn about an adorable, tiny human living amongst us. If he gives her his blessing, no one will dare speak against her ever again.”

  She smiled and rested a hand on his forearm. “We need to learn more about this dust. I’m planning to send you along with some warriors, and Maeve will join you. She will be safe.”

  Hakken nodded, not so convinced.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure the Warlock asks for offerings only to spare him from cooking dinner. I doubt humans are part of their diet.”

  Regn

  They stood ready to leave. Three days after all the emissaries returned to their villages, their group prepared to journey to the Warlock’s dwelling. It was a week-long trip, so they would travel light and fast. Since the human was coming along, maybe ‘fast’ was unrealistic.

  At least the old mother gave her new clothes and boots, and the girl no longer looked so pathetic and vulnerable. Regn still considered her useless. They decided Hakken and Kniv would pay a visit to the Warlock along with Maeve. Hurtig would take two other warriors to the Red Moon Valley tribe to ensure their help before the battle. The recent diplomatic impasse would have to be disregarded in views of the critical times ahead. Their tribe had some of the best-trained warriors, so they were essential allies.

  At the last minute, the matriarch decided Regn should join the group visiting the Warlock. It may or may not have something to do with the fact he reminded her about the vital information he possessed. The information he had shared with almost the entire half-breed population, but Regn insisted on how important it was for him to tag along.

  The usual routine consisted of running the entire day, stop before dark, camp, have a warm meal, and sleeping until dawn; then start over. But the human was no runner. They could tell she tried hard, panting, and sweating. Forcing herself to keep up with the excruciatingly slow pace.

  After a while, Hurtig had enough. “This will not work! I understand she can’t go any faster, but we have no time!”

  “She is doing her best! She shouldn’t have come in the first place.” Hakken hovered over her as usual.

  “You can carry her,” Kniv intervened, “we’ll be able to run, and she’ll be safer. When you grow tired, I can take her.”

  They did as Kniv suggested, and the group’s mood improved. They moved fast through the wild, focused but calm. The trees hid them from the midday sun, and the air was pleasant for this time of year. Regn heard her talking and laughing with Hakken. Seeing them so close and at ease brought a scowl to his face, so he kept his distance.

  A herd of deer crossed in front of them, and she gaped at their graceful running forms. When she wasn’t talking to Hakken, she would gawk at every little thing they came across. Regn had to remind himself she was annoying instead of endearing.

  Later in the afternoon, Hakken allowed Kniv to carry her, and she clung to his back. Her laughter tingled around them when Kniv whispered something to her. She was getting better at understanding their language. Regn thought they looked cute, like a father carrying his daughter.

  He wondered if he would get to carry her next.

  “Shit,” he hissed.

  What’s with these stupid thoughts? He turned to hide the heat on his face, but luckily, they started running, and no one noticed he flustered.

  Nightfall found them setting camp. They had caught a wild pig earlier, so while Hurtig and he prepared the carcass for their meal, Hakken and Kniv gathered wood. Maeve offered to start the fire. She worked fast for a useless human.

  One warrior kept guard as the other laid down and kicked off his boots.

  A sudden buzz over their heads called their attention, and everyone’s eyes raised to the sky. A flock of tiny birds fluttered right on top of them. “What are they?” They turned to Maeve. She was definitely improving.

  Hurtig answered. “Blood hummingbirds.”

  She blinked at them, confused. “Why, blood?”

  Regn shared a smile with Hurtig and grabbed a bloody bone, throwing it farther. The flock attacked the piece, sucking it dry in seconds. The look of utter amazement on her face made him chuckle.

  After dinner, they sat around the fire in peaceful silence, and the girl fell asleep soon after.

  “Hakken... what are you going to do if the Warlock kills her?” Hurtig’s gaze rested on the flames.

  “I will kill him before he touches her.”

  Hurtig rolled her eyes. “Right! You will fight the eldest and most powerful magical being after the Ancients to save your girl.”

  “Don’t forget, no one has seen him for over a thousand years. He is so strong he doesn’t even need to step out of his hut to crush you with his magic.” One warrior butted in while picking his teeth. Whether they worry about the girl’s fate or not, it was beyond their capabilities to defend her.

  After those last words, they all went quiet.

  Would he protect her if needed? A little late to deny he was constantly saving her from deadly situations. Go figure.

  They traveled together for five days before parting. Hurtig promised to fix the plight with the Red Moon Valley and meet them again in a week. Hakken, Kniv, Maeve, and he turned to the thickest part of the Forest. To the Warlock.

  Maeve

  On the day of their arrival, the mood was somber. She had tried to take her mind away from this new trial and look after Hakken since the half-breed grew nervous by the day. He reassured her and insisted he would protect her, but Maeve could tell he was afraid. She didn’t want to force him to fight for her since this Warlock sounded like a formidable foe.

  No. She would have to convince this wise man she was worthy of staying in the Forest. It was no longer up to Hakken or Regn to save her.

  Regn had come with them to ask about this magic they were so worried about. Mynte had told her about the mountain half-breeds and the war years ago. The stories were daunting, so it was understandable all those tribes gathering to prevent living through war again.

  Life was brutal here. But also beautiful.

  No matter where they went, the Forest never failed to take her breath away. As they drew close to the Warlock’s territory, Maeve sensed the air thick with magic, and the change in the foliage was remarkable. Gnarled trees surrounded them, of silver bark and lush green leaves. There was also a watchful presence, following them from every direction, forcing the hunters to be on their toes.

  To keep themselves from going mad with concern, brief attempts at conversation came up from time to time. “It’s the same tree,” Kniv told her, “those are connected by the root to the large one in the center.”

  Maeve followed Kniv’s nod and saw on the horizon the most magnificent tree she had ever laid eyes on. They were walking at a slow pace since no one seemed too eager to arrive. Kniv explained to her the Warlock lived in that tree.

  Overwhelmed with tension, Maeve fidgeted with her thumbs, eyes locked straight ahead. Hakken walked far behind, lost in thought, while Kniv led the march. She tried hard not to let panic take hold and focused on her breathing when a tap on her shoulder startled her.

  Maeve turned to find Regn offering her a gorgeous blue flower.

  “Smell, it’s delicious,” he smiled. She took the flower and buried her nose between the petals, taking a deep breath. A huge cloud of blue pollen burst, covering her face and making her cough.

  Well, I fell right into that one!

  Regn doubled up with laughter next to her. Hakken ma
rched to their side and smacked him with a growl. When he turned to wash her blue face with water from his pouch, Maeve couldn’t help but giggle.

  The tension in the group simmered down. A few steps ahead, Kniv waited, leniently smiling at them.

  When they reached the clearing, her fears were tossed aside. Shielding her eyes from the light, Maeve threw her head back to marvel at the sight of such a majestic tree. A million flowers surrounded it, and the air was thick with their sweetness. Despite the cool breeze dimming the heat, the wind barely grazed the blades of grass. The stillness gave the glade an unearthly sensation.

  Wrapped around the tree, the most unorthodox cabin cracked under the setting sun. Every room seemed to be made with a different material—rock, wood, and mud. Not one window was shaped like the next, and smoke came out of one of the dozen chimneys. Was she expecting him not to be home?

  A deep voice resonated through the clearing. “Welcome travelers, to my humble home. What can an old spirit do for you?” They stopped; the three hunters surrounding Maeve. They were yet to see the origin of the voice, but she glimpsed movement behind a window.

  “I see... Children of the River. I’ve sensed restlessness among your people as of late. Is that why you seek counsel?”

  He spoke the half-breed language, and Maeve understood a handful of words, making sense of what the Warlock said.

  “It is, venerable Eternal, we need your wisdom and counsel. But first... we have a minor matter to sort out.” Kniv turned to look at Maeve.

  “Who walks with you? She is no half-breed.” The men tensed around her. “Is she...? It cannot be. She is... human?” The door opened wide, and an imposing figure stood under the frame. Layers of crude fabric and pelts covered him, and a hood concealed his face. As he walked towards them, he took it off, his mouth hanging agape and his eyes fixed on her.

  Maeve could feel Hakken preparing to charge at him anytime. She dared peek from behind Kniv, and her gut sank in recognition.