The carriage went quietly down the dusty path as only stars shun above them. As the kingdom's best warriors and guards roamed the dark forest, their torches illuminated the wilderness where the bandits were supposed to dwell. Zora listened attentively, with her fingers over the harp strings. The rocking of the coach alongside fatigue made her sleepy. Still, she was determined to see things through. "Once my husband is safe, I will be able to sleep soundly," went through her head.
After a long ride, the carriage stopped. Commotion followed and guards whispered, as if deciding on what to do next.
"Is everything alright?" she said, peeping through her curtain.
One of the soldiers turned swiftly and bowed. "All is well, your Highness. We have sent scouts with a message that we are here.
"Very well. And if there is any trouble, you all know what to do," she said, touching her ear.
"Yes, my princess," they all said in unison.
She waited, with her toes nervously clenched in her fine boots. The night was unusually silent, with not even night owls sounding their well-know hoot. Everything felt eerie and tense, making the soon-to-be mother even more stressed.
A shout and a clang was heard outside. Then the wolves started to growl. A harsh jab made one squeal in pain. "Guards, now!" she said, counting to three before playing her magical instrument. Silence quickly came. It seems like the notes did their thing. Taking in deep breaths, she cautiously pulled the curtain only to see a smirking guard staring at her. Startled, she jumped back.
"Help! Help!" she screamed, plucking the harp, but it was no use. The guard had wax in his ears. Entering slowly, he drew out his sword, holding it above the terrified pregnant woman.
"So you are the arrogant foreigner trying to take over our kingdom? How shameless, and after all king Nathaneil did for you," he uttered angry.
"What, no. No! Who told you such nonsense?" she said.
"I was told you would say that. And I know the perfect rebuttle," he said, clenching his teeth. Readying his sword for the strike, he said scornfully. "Long live the queen!"
Zora held her arms up and shut her eyes, when a whipping sound appeared out of nowhere. The guard's stunned eyes got even wider as his body was pulled out and went flying over the tall trees.
She trembled, unsure of what just happened. Surprised shouts and snapping sounds were heard from all sides. Men screamed in pain accompanied by the snaps which sounded like breaking of bones and gasps of strangulation. After some time, only whimpers remained. Zora stared through the open door, petrified. It was too dark for her to see anything.
A shadow emerged and soon after a familiar pair of angry eyes.
"Viniria!" Zora gasped relieved.
"Who else?" the magical being rumbled. "You forgot to pay me a visit this evening. Care to explain why?"
Zora could not talk. Feeling stupid and ashamed, she hid her face with tears covered her cheeks.
"I'm sorry! You were right! I let my emotions get the better of me!" she uttered between sobs.
As her friend observed her sorrowful state, her rage was somewhat subdued. "Go on."
"I got a note that Aidan is here. But it was obviously a trap."
"Just as I predicted," Viniria added smug.
"I could have died! And for what? I'm such a dimwit. I never should have been born into royalty!" she wept with her face turning red.
"There! There! It's alright... You don't have to make a whole tragedy of it," her friend said with a sympathetic puff.
"No, it is not! I not only broke my promise to you, I also endangered my life and the life of my unborn child. I am a terrible decision-maker and a stupid, stupid girl."
"Stop that right this moment! Everyone has their moment of weakness," Viniria snapped annoyed. Sitting next to her, the vine-covered creature patted her on the shoulder. "You missed your love and gave your trust to the wrong people. It happens to the best of us."
With a snap of her fingers, her vines untied, startling the horses. The heavy carriage moved down the same path it came.
"I did! And I'm sorry. I should have listened. From now on, I promise I will think long and hard before making a decision."
"That is good to know."
"Oh, Viniria! I need him so. Please, please help me find him."
The creature sighed. "I want to. Trust that is true. But I do not know how."
Zora hugged her close. "Please! Please, use the magic device and find him for me," she said pressing her face to her bark-like arm.
"What!" Vinira yelled, moving away. "Are you insane? Have you been listening to a word I said?"
"It is the only way," Zora begged, still in tears. "You know so much about the world and are so wise in the ways of magic. Only you can protect him!"
"Zora, as much as that is true, you are forgetting one crucial thing. Who is going to protect you while I am gone?"
"Do not worry about that! I have already made arrangements."
"Zora," she uttered, annoyed.
"My dear friend. Please! Please promise me you will find him," Zora said taking her hand in hers. Her mouth quivered as her puffy eyes stared intensely.
The forest creature grumbled, making a face. She shook her head, in a pensive mood. "Alright. I will search for your impulsive spouse and bring him to you before you go mad!"
Zora grinned, hugging her tighter. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"
The annoyed creature moaned. "Calm down, you silly girl. First, I need to take care of something," she said, letting out her long tree-like appendages. Grabbing the still alive guards and placing them on the carriage, the vines pushed the wheels, hurrying home.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, the sinister twins were sneaking away in their caravan.
"That vile would-be ruler. This is the last time we will have anything to do with those royals," the woman spat, holding the reins in her soaring thumbs.
"Calm down, sister. We still have our heads on our shoulders, don't we?" her sibling said reassuringly.
"Ha! And the nerve of scolding us for his badly prepared plan! How were we supposed to know this place holds so much magic? It's a good thing the guard 'accidentally' left the cell unlocked. I do not wish to see this place ever again."
The man sitting next to her sighed. "Too bad about the transportation ring. I would have loved to-"
As he spoke, a carriage controlled by large tentacle-like vines rushed down the road in the opposite direction. The two observed it with a chill going down their spines.
"This feels like trouble," she said in a squeaky voice.
"True. Let us flee before some other misfortune finds us," the brother added, making their nag move faster.
That very same night, in the small High Kingdom, a messenger pigeon appeared on a high window. A large hand tapped in the dark while a burly voice grumbled. The owner of the voice rubbed his face and begrudgingly let the bird in. Still in his underwear, he took the piece of parchment which resembled a napkin in his humongous hands. His eyes widened as he read, swiftly grabbing his metal gear and sword. Stomping through the corridor, the clang of his battle armor woke up all the inhabitants of the castle.
The king opened the door, drowsy. "Theodor! What is the meaning of this? What are you doing in the middle of the night?"