Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1) ✔

Chapter 17: Know Thy Enemy

Our footsteps were too loud. Each snapped branch made me feel exposed.

There was no wind in the forest, not even a breeze. Everything stood still. There were no birds or bugs or other animals. Just silence and darkness.

My knuckles turned white from holding onto Danilo. My heart thudded in my chest and I was afraid to breathe. Breathing was too loud.

Torvald was up front, walking bravely and quietly through the darkness. Rixen and Nick were further behind, lingering close to each other. We moved at a steady pace for what seemed like eternity.

"Are you frightened, your Grace?" Danilo looked down at me, his blue eyes radiating concern.

I nodded, "But it's better when you're near."

"I will protect you." Danilo whispered only for me to hear and I nodded once more, not doubting his desire to protect me, but his ability to do so.

Goddess knew what roamed through these forests.

"So," Nickeltinker chirped, "How do we know this is the right way?"

Danilo frowned, "We're following the only path."

"Yes, dimwit." Nickeltinker muttered. "But it's the only path in the backyard of the mage that does not want to be found. It could be a trap."

"I'm tempted to leave you behind, goblin." Danilo grunted.

"Zip it, knight." Nick raised his finger as a warning. "I'm the only one who can walk through this forest soundlessly and you're making too much noise. I'll run away if someone attacks you."

"My feet hurt." I whined.

Rixen eyed me.

"Maybe you should have worn boots. But no," He mocked, "I'm a princess, I can wear whatever I want."

"Shut up!" I let go of Danilo and crossed my hands on my chest.

"Where is your sword?" Rixen asked, looking at my empty hands.

I raised my eyebrow, "In my suitcase?"

"In your-" A scattered, desperate laugh rolled off his lips, "Wonderful. That's just wonderful."

"What?" I demanded. "I don't know how to use it."

Rixen smiled smugly, "Really? One would think you'd know how to work a hard, phallic thing."

My mouth fell open.

Danilo immediately stepped forward, "Apologize this instant, Rixen!"

The shadowman rolled his eyes and turned away from us, "Apologize to yourself when you'll have to carry her dead body back to Irenwell, Danilo."

Nickeltinker stomped on the ground and narrowed his eyes, "All of you, shut up. Every damn thing, dead or alive, will hear us."

Maybe I should have brought a sword, but it slipped my mind. I wasn't used to weapons and I truly did not know how to use it. There was nothing I could do in a fight, but hide, which was precisely my plan.

Torvald suddenly halted and raised his hand, "Ugh, small."

"Small?" I murmured.

Rixen walked ahead, "Folks, the path is getting narrower."

We all stopped moving.

Torvald's eyes danced across our faces, like he was trying to communicate more, "Ugh, hmm. Small, err."

"So?" Nick hopped towards Rixen. "We can still walk through."

"Err." Torvald raised his voice. "Ugh. Small, err."