𝑨𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒉 | ✔️

4 | Out of the Woods

Summer, 5th June 864AD - Late Afternoon

Aidan's hand tightened my wrist as he led us through the wilderness. We quickened our pace as we navigated through the maze of shrubs and undergrowth until finally, we reached the woodland's entrance.

Up ahead, the timber rooftops and familiar buildings finally came into view. At last, we were finally safe from whatever we had seen in the clifftops.

Silence clouded around us as we trudged through the familiar trail. I took this moment to process what just happened.
Everything had been a blur; first, Aidan was just trying to teach me to use a bow, then the next thing we knew, a mysterious figure emerged suddenly firing arrows.

I kept replaying the scene over and over again.

If neither of us had been aware, then what happened next would be a real tragedy. Yet, I thanked heaven for stopping a grave ordeal from occurring.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Aidan exclaimed, breaking the silence.

Questions crawled in my mind - who was hidden behind that black shroud? What was their purpose being there? Why did they suddenly attack?

The only thing I knew is that figure was not one of us.

"I do not know, Aidan." I shuddered inwardly. "I'm just relieved we escaped in time."

Aidan's brows creased and a puzzled look appeared in his olive-green eyes.

"It just doesn't make any sense. Why would they want to attack us?"

I couldn't help but feel troubled, and then a sudden thought occurred - a disturbing thought leaving my whole body quivering like a fired arrow.

"What if...what if they're a Dane?" I conspired, my eyes widened in realization. The thought of encountering a Dane up close has always frightened me as a child.

But I was not a child anymore.
I refuse to fear a clan of barbarians, but still, with little knowledge of these northern invaders, I must remain vigilant.

"What if that had been a diversion for an attack?"

Aidan's face grew pale. "You...you think it might be?"

I cocked my head, uncertain if the intruder had been a Dane or perhaps a foreigner wanting to trespass by force.

Unfortunately, this happens often in our land.

That's why the king is reluctant to allow anyone – not from our clan – to enter our village.
He made sure sentries were kept on guard at all times. In case we did encounter any intruders. Such as those damn Danes.

"I think so, but I wouldn't be completely sure. Do you think we should inform the king?"

"My father?" Aidan frowned. "I would, but we aren't sure who was out there, Ardith. It seems too early to mention anything to him."

I leapt onto the gnarly bridge connecting the woodlands to the outskirts of our village.
The wood creaked and grinded beneath my feet, and the ropes holding the timber together were tattered. Footprints imprinted over the bridge from those who travelled within these woods.

Despite its torn state, it amazed me how this bridge kept standing against the test of time.

"What should we do then?" I asked, facing Aidan.

"You don't expect us to remain silent. Not when Kendrick might be close to an attack. Those Danes could come out without expecting anything."

Aidan furrowed his brows. "But we don't even know anything about the intruder. All I'm saying is we should wait and see what happens."