The Untold Forest

by Elisa Menz

  They were about to depart when Ystävä raised a hand. “A moment, please, there is one little detail.” He then recited an enchantment, and the tingling sensation of magic washed all over his body. By the looks of it, Maeve, Kniv, and Regn also felt it.

  “What was that?” Regn squirmed.

  “A simple spell, nothing to worry about. Since you now know the unspeakable secret about ‘the Warlock’, I just made sure you cannot share this knowledge with anyone else.”

  “Are we going to die if we try to tell someone?” Regn was now edgy. Hakken had to admit he was pretty nervous himself.

  “Nothing of the sort, young Regn. You simply won’t be able to share the information. Your mind will remember, and you can speak about it amongst yourselves, but any third-party involvement will shut your mouth,” the elf explained, grinning.

  Finn gave Regn a friendly slap on the back. “Be grateful he didn’t give you diarrhea.”

  “Let us go, children, we still need to meet with Hurtig and the others, and she will give us an earful if we are late.” Kniv bowed respectfully to both Warlocks before getting on his way.

  Things were less awkward between Maeve and him, but still, carrying her now was a delicious torment. The day before, she was able to practice her newfound abilities with Finn and apparently got the hang of it, so she could now block her perceptivity almost entirely.

  Those were splendid news, because if she knew what he was feeling right then while holding her in his arms...

  He wanted nothing more than to run to the village, hiding in their cave, and spend every second of every day entangled with her. He craved to cuddle and nuzzle in her fragrant locks while roaming every inch of her velvety skin.

  And he would finally kiss her. The thought had been constantly on his mind ever since Finn ruined their moment.

  She fled that day—he remembered—and his excitement dropped considerably. Does she even want me? He realized Maeve never gave a straightforward answer to his confession. She hadn’t rejected him, though.

  They needed to have a conversation about this, but not now, not while running next to Kniv and that annoying pup. The fact that Regn now seemed to hover around Maeve more often didn’t pass unnoticed. And he didn’t like it.

  Hakken’s troubled thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he felt delightfully aroused. Heat rose from his stomach to his chest, and the craving was so strong and unexpected, he almost lost his footing.

  What...? Stunned, he gaped at Maeve. She stared at his lips, her own slightly parted, lush and tantalizing. Her beautiful eyes snapped to his, and she gasped as soon as she realized what she was doing.

  Maybe she still needed some practice. Those were her feelings! Hakken almost succumbed to the need to run away from prying eyes. He was dying to share a toe-curling kiss with her, and the burning desire was too much to bear.

  “Don’t dally, boy! We will never get there in time!” Kniv shook him from his lustful intentions, and he settled for a chaste kiss on her forehead. Maeve whimpered, mortified, hiding her face from his eager gaze. He chuckled at her sweetness, causing her to bury deep on the skins of his vest while the point of her ears reddened to a worrying extent.

  “Don’t worry about it, beautiful. It will be our secret.”

  He couldn’t discern her mumbling, but the word ‘idiot’ was part of it.

  They traveled for four entire days before reaching their destination. Somehow, either Kniv or Regn lingered close by all the time, and his patience was drawing thin. There were no signs of Hurtig and her companions, and Hakken was becoming increasingly restless as they waited for them. “How hard can it be to convince those assholes? I just want to end this stupid war and go home!” They all sat in a circle, peering through the trees and waiting.

  Kniv shook his head. “If we don’t have any news tomorrow at dawn, we will head to the Red Moon Valley village. Hurtig is not one to dawdle.” Hakken knew Kniv well, and he could tell the matter worried him. This was no time to grumble.

  He turned to Maeve and found her sitting on a trunk, eyes lost in the distance. She suddenly shivered, and a frown creased her face.

  “Are you cold?” Hakken knelt beside her, rubbing her arms.

  “No, I sensed something. It was unpleasant.” Her face grew somber. “I can’t be sure, but... it felt like fear, dreadful fear.”

  He watched her with worry, sensing Kniv and Regn coming closer. “Can you tell where it came from?” Kniv asked.

  Maeve shook her head. “Not the exact location... but it’s close.” She frowned again, wincing. “Hakken! There’s so much pain!”

  He picked her up and held her shaking body in his arms.

  “Do you think something happened to Hurtig?” Regn was worried as well. At that point, they all knew what Maeve was experiencing was not her imagination. Kniv gathered his things. “We need to go to her.”

  “We cannot take Maeve to their village!” Vorka’s attack remained fresh on Hakken’s memory, and he didn’t want to risk Maeve again. There was no telling what the rest of his tribe might think of her.

  “We have no choice, she can’t stay behind, and we can’t leave Hurtig and the others if there is danger. We will protect her.”

  Stomping on the last embers of their bonfire, his old friend glared at him. Kniv was the most caring and responsible person in his life. Even after losing his only daughter, he didn’t allow his grief to stand in his way if he could help another. Hakken sighed, knowing that if he didn’t come along, they would leave behind him, and Kniv might have to face danger on his own.

  “It’s all right, Hakken.” Maeve squeezed his arm reassuringly. She looked determined, much more than him. “This is important. They need your help.” He let out a long, exasperated growl before holding her tight and running along with the others. He kept his mouth shut, planning how he could better protect Maeve if it came to it. They were close to the village, so there was still some sunlight when they reached the outskirts.

  But then they could all feel it. The unnerving stillness of the Forest. The acrid smell of smoke and blood.

  And not a sound from the village.

  CHAPTER XXVII

  PAIN AND SORROW

  Maeve

  Hakken lowered her to the ground and took her hand, quite alert as he shielded her from the lingering menace in the air. Maeve’s eyes darted around, trying to find the source of the foreboding feelings gripping her heart. Someone needed help. She clung to Hakken, trying to control her trembling with deep breaths.

  The three hunters spread, surrounding Maeve and advancing into the village, weapons ready.

  Both Regn and Kniv had their blades out, but Hakken kept his free hand firm on the hilt of his own. Maeve was surprised to sense all three of them sternly detached from what they witnessed. There was no fear coming from them. She had to remind herself they were warriors, tough but far from heartless.

  Catching her off guard, the sudden wave of rage coming from Regn made her quiver. He snarled towards the village, to a cabin near the trees where three small bodies laid almost hidden by the briar.

  Maeve gasped in horror at the sight of the children covered in blood and huddled together. Their faces were hidden as their little hands clutched each other’s clothes, hinting at the terror they must have experienced in their last moments.

  Her hand flew to her mouth to hold back a scream. All resemblance of control abandoned her body, and only Hakken’s quick reaction prevented her from falling to her knees. “Hakken, I can’t!”

  “Breath, Maeve, you are safe with me. You are all right, beautiful, don’t look at them...” His voice faltered, and she couldn’t help to glance over his shoulder. Now, closer to the village, she saw dozens of bodies scattered. Women, men, children. They spared no one.

  “We need to find them.” Kniv’s strained voice shook her from her awful daze when he stood in front of her. “Maeve... sweetheart, I’m sorry, but I need you to focus.”

  He reached to wipe her tears
with a rough but tender hand. “Can you sense anyone alive? You tell us, and we will go to them.”

  She turned to face the village once more, with Hakken’s safe warmth enveloping her from behind. Maeve closed her eyes to the awful sight and tried her best to focus. The foreign fear she sensed moments ago was gone, and knowing what it meant made her whimper.

  Hakken nuzzled against her neck. “Don’t force yourself. If you need to stop, just do it.”

  There was a moment of peace when all she could perceive was the wariness of her companions. But then, a sharp emotion hit her like a wave, and her eyes shot open, gasping for breath while she clutched a fist over her heart.

  Seeing her so frightened, Regn jumped to her side and yelled. “Maeve, stop! If you are going to hurt yourself, we will find Hurtig on our own!”

  Maeve turned to Kniv. “Someone’s there, near the burning hut at the other end!”

  Hakken rubbed her back. “Is it Hurtig? The boys?”

  “I don’t think so. You should be careful. Whoever this is, they are furious.” They walked in a tight group, scanning their surroundings while trying to locate survivors. The attackers were gone, but so far, all the casualties looked like Red Moon Valley people.

  Did the attackers take their own warrior’s bodies with them? Maeve hoped that was the case because the alternative frightened her. They crept through the burning huts, Kniv and Regn checking the bodies, holding on to the possibility of finding someone alive, with no luck.

  Maeve bit her bottom lip in a futile attempt to control her fear, and soon, the taste of blood shook her to her core. She knew the world wasn’t always a peaceful place, and life in the Forest was a lot harsher than the life she was used to. But this was beyond all comprehension.

  Surrounded by death, Maeve tried to avoid seeing the corpses at first, but she forced herself to stare into their eyes. Not their wounds or their pain; that was not who they were. It felt important to acknowledge those around her, not to ignore their fate, and to bid one last farewell to the people she would never meet.

  However, one lifeless pair of eyes rattled her so hard, she fell to the ground, letting out a heartbreaking cry. Vorka was dead, his throat sliced, almost ripped apart.

  “That is enough! Kniv, I’m taking her out of here!” Hakken took her in his arms again before striding away from the others. Only after a few steps, a terrifying sound made him stop.

  They were near the hut Maeve pointed out, and under the rubble, a man struggled to rise. A pointless attempt, since a wall had collapsed on top of him, and long wooden beams pierced his abdomen.

  How he was still alive, it was beyond their grasp. But the long strings of red dust that wrung around him, converging at his wounds, gave them a hint. Red and white war paint adorned his body, and he had a birthmark on his chin, shaped like a water drop. Maeve could feel the anger from her friends at the sight of the young man.

  “Mountain tribe,” Regn grunted.

  All three men’s hate was too much for Maeve to bear, and she begged them to stop. “Please... don’t. He is going to die, anyway, there is no need for your hate.”

  She was right, and they were glaring at a dead man. Ashamed, they stood around him, keeping their distance. They watched him growl and throw angry blows their way, harmless.

  “We should try to get some of that dust while we’re here,” Kniv said.

  “I’m not going anywhere near him. Let’s wait until he dies.” Regn’s voice dripped anger, and Maeve couldn’t stand it. Regn was one of the sweetest souls she had encountered in her life, and to feel sheer hate coming from him was disheartening.

  Without him noticing, she reached to touch his shoulder. “Don’t say that,” she pleaded. Regn stared at her in shock before awkwardly patting her hand.

  The young man bared his fangs at them, growling and trying to claw his way out of the rubble, but it was clear he was losing his strength. The blood loss caused his face to grow paler, and his eyes turned glassy and red. He didn’t utter a word, acting like a wild animal instead.

  They all stood in silence, waiting for his demise.

  “Please...” All eyes snapped to him. “I-I’m sorry... please.” Tears covered his face while his shaky voice begged. “It hurts! Please, make it stop! Make it stop!”

  All the anger Maeve sensed coming from him was gone. Pain, regret, and fear were all the young mountain warrior gave off now.

  “Are you watching this?” Hakken whispered. Kniv was the first one to react, reaching for the young man’s hand out of instinct. But as soon as he was within reach, his expression switched, and the painful grimace turned into a violent scowl.

  “Watch out!” Regn barely prevented the blow, hauling Kniv away. Astonished, they watched him thrash and scream before his face became once again a reflection of agony.

  “No! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry!” His eyes roamed the village, staring at the dead. “I didn’t mean to... please...” His life was drifting away. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry...”

  His pleading voice quieted down until the light was utterly gone from his eyes, and they realized he was dead. Kniv looked stricken, and his pained gaze lingered on the young man. Hakken tensed, holding Maeve tight while she fought to hold back her tears.

  Finally, Regn scoffed. “Fucking liar.”

  “He didn’t lie, Regn. He meant every single word.” Curled in Hakken’s arms, Maeve’s words came out as a whisper. She was spent, her head hanging from her shoulders and her body molding into Hakken’s embrace. She wanted nothing more than to return to the village, hiding in their cave, and forget everything about that awful day.

  “The dust!” Kniv cried. He knelt next to the dead warrior, but the remaining dust disappeared in the dirt.

  “Did you get some?” Regn knelt beside him.

  Kniv shook his head, pained. “We should keep moving, find Hurtig.” Leaving the appalling scene behind, they walked aimlessly, not knowing what to make of what they had just witnessed. What was wrong with that boy? The night was upon them, and lighting a fire to keep the shadows at bay seemed more necessary than ever. While Kniv gathered firewood, Regn and Hakken piled the corpses near the edge of the village so they could burn them at dawn. Maeve sat next to a hut spared from the fire and dozed off, exhausted after all the taxing emotions.

  While he worked, Hakken kept a watchful eye on her. Even half-asleep, she could sense his worry. Feeling bitter, she ignored him.

  Why did you bring me here? An unexpected resentment invaded her thoughts. You should have left me at that castle. She knew that wasn’t fair. Hakken had saved her life. But was it worth it? Is this how her life was going to be? All this pain and death.

  The harrowing wail that came from the ruins startled her, and she saw Hakken and Regn running to meet Kniv, whose sobs rang loud in the night. He had found Hurtig, and the mighty, beautiful warrior was dead.

  Maeve stood like in a trance, her footsteps leading her away from the village, into the darkness of the trees. Blinded by tears and without considering the risks, she walked until she couldn’t tell where she was anymore. She hugged her trembling body and slid to the ground, closing her eyes and rocking back and forth, trying desperately to regain some sense of peace.

  Holding back her sobs, she lost track of time until cool hands caressed her arms, and she leaned forward, trying to find some comfort in Hakken’s warmth. She let herself go when he carried her like a child, cradling her with such tenderness, she forgot the bitter thoughts from before.

  “Let’s go home,” she pleaded.

  “Yesss... yes, beautiful. My lovely bride. Let us go home now.”

  Maeve gasped as soon as she caught the unknown voice, pushing back against the chest of a slender man with scaled skin and long, silver hair. His forked tongue caressed his lips while he gave her a loving smile. “So exquisite.”

  Now fully aware and terrified, Maeve struggled against his grip, falling and hitting the ground with a painful thud. Without missing
a beat, his thin arms coiled around her waist, picking her and forcing her to peer right at his pitch-black eyes.

  With a sweet-sounding tone, he cooed her while uncorking a small vial. “Sleep now, my love. You are distressed, and you might hurt yourself.” A sweet, intoxicating fragrance attacked her nostrils. Maeve’s scream died in her throat while the night faded away, and the ever gentle sleep took her.

  CHAPTER XXVIII

  ALL IS FAIR

  Hakken

  There was nothing else to be done but to hold Kniv, who had been sobbing uncontrollably for a while. His grief-stricken face showed how much the loss of Hurtig shook him. Every single one of the people they lost during the war was precious, but for Kniv, the death of a young woman brought the worst memories, and it was more than he could handle.

  Hurtig’s death served as a painful reminder of how easily they took for granted the people around them. Hakken’s last words to her were probably some silly shenanigans.

  I’m sorry, my sister. You deserved better. He sent a silent prayer for the huntress.

  “I found the others,” Regn muttered. The two warriors laid dead and as damaged as Hurtig. “They all fought fiercely.”

  Hakken and Regn gathered the bodies and placed them next to each other before standing in front of them, heads bowed and hearts full of sorrow. “Farewell, brave Hurtig.” Kniv kissed her forehead and stood next to them, wiping his tears.

  In a clumsy attempt to cheer him, Hakken patted his back, and Kniv gave him a pained smile. “We should rest now and finish in the morning. We tried our best.” They walked back in silence to the small fire where Maeve rested. They were all exhausted, looking forward to a light meal and some sleep. Hakken’s mind raced, realizing now the mountain half-breed menace was far greater than anticipated.

  He feared they were not prepared, and the thought scared him. After years of not caring for his well-being, for him, the war was only another way to be free of this world. But he had Maeve now, and the will to live returned to him heightened. His loss in the past war had been unbearable, and he wouldn’t have the strength to face the same pain twice.