INCANTATION

1) Old folk tales of Malistice Kingdom

We are moving towards the east right now, in between, there were some villages. we stayed there before to find what is important to us. But we were unable to find it, so right now on the recommendation of Danny, we are going to a different village. We are currently staying near the side of the pond for our horses to rest. 

"Ry, come here. I have some food. let's feed our stomach also." "cool! I am coming." We are eating our bread and suddenly we heard so many sounds of flappping. we looked up at the sky and saw so many crows hovering over us. In old folk tales that we have heard about crows, it is said that in some religions they are a sign of bad omen, but in ours...its grave danger. "Ry, we have to go right now. Something is not right. I am feeling uneasy." Danny said with seriousness. "Yeah! You are right, let's just go from here."

As Danny and I are rushing away from the cloud of crows on our horses, we lost track of our direction. When we halt to check our surrounding, I realise something and fear settles upon me. 
“D-Do you know what this is Danny?”
“The witch’s Forest, right?”
This is the forest where no one except the witches can survive. The witches in our kingdom have magic. But they are a part of the fairy tales too. However, no one who enters this dense cluster of trees has ever lived to tell others of what its mysteries are about.
When I glance behind us, in the direction that we came from, the uneasiness returns. So I quickly turn and look forward. With a deep breathe, I gathered the courage to say,
“Shall we?” gesturing towards the forest while looking at my brother.
“After you, sister.” He says and I kick my horse to make it walk.
As someone who is walking into one of the forbidden places in the kingdom, I think I should have my guard up and tight, and that is exactly what I did. My senses are alert and I am looking in every direction, every now and then. So does Danny. And I breathe in relief, reminding myself that I am not alone.

Don’t get me wrong, yes I am a witch too. But witchcraft in the Malistice kingdom is not considered as an ethical form of magic. It is considered cheap and shallow, despite being very powerful. My father took an unconventional step by marrying a witch, my mother, but the people of the kingdom are still not open to it. Which is why I never learnt to use the witchcraft or explore the witch side of my existence. And so, knowing that I have witch-blood running through my viens, was neither a comfort to me, nor to Daniel.

As a part of the royal family, Daniel and I were taught all sorts of self-defence and weapon wielding – swords, daggers, bow and arrow, javelin. You name it, we know how to use it. But there is a difference between knowing how to wield a weapon upon being taught by the commander or the royal army and facing danger head-on. But again, because of the same royal blood, protection and the peace in the kingdom, we never faced any real danger. We only heard about scary monsters in the fairy tales that were read to us by our caretakers before going to bed as kids. Fear was a little new to both of us.We will see today ourselves whether the rumors of the witch's forest true or just a mere story. I hope it's a story, cause even though we both are keeping our brave face , deep down we both know how scared we are right now.

Lost in my thoughts, I miss the shuffling sound of leaves, but Daniel doesn’t. His horse jumps in the opposite direction when he hears some shifting in the trees above. When I sense his movement, I copied it. And suddenly, a figure, cloaked in dark clothes from head to toe, jumps down. We immediately pull out our swords, ready to attack until---
“PRINCE DANIEL?? PRINCESS RILEY???” asks the mysterious figure out loud.
I didn’t move my attention from the person but I can sense the confusion and surprise looming in the air. Using careful words, Daniel starts,
“And who might you be?” his voice stern and cautious.
With that, the dark figure starts taking off their mask. And with each movement of their hand, Daniel and I grow more and more alert, expecting a surprise attack of some sort. Until, we recognise the familiar face.
Lady Mirelanda?!!!!!!

The royal guard who disappeared 6 years ago.
The one who took care of us until we were 10.
She’s alive?

"What are you doing here Mirelanda , we thought that something happened to you. We asked everywhere for you, but we got the same answer that you fled away with golds, and jewelleries." Danny said. "Shut up Danny, even though he is right, we thought you died or something bad happen to you but not the theft thing, right Danny?" I glared at him. Actually after the rumors got spread Danny also believed because some of my and mother's jewellery were missing but not that Mirelanda stole it and I was sure of that. When we were small, age maybe 7 or 8 something drastic happened and because of that Danny was always suspicious of Mirelanda.

He never spoke of it to anyone, but I definitely saw his trust in Mirelanda decline after a particular incident. Daniel has always been more observant and judgemental than me, in both good and bad ways honestly. Once he gets an impression of you, it takes A LOT of effort to change it.
I don’t remember much, but it was one morning, three days before our 8th birthday when, Mirelanda took me out to an ice-cream parlour. As someone with a huge sweeth tooth- my dental health was already terrible. But trapped under the spell of sweetness, like a puppet, I had occasional cravings, and it was one of those days. I emotionally blackmailed Mirelanda to buy me ice-cream under the context of it being my birthday present, and Mirelanda being helpless and influenced by my cuteness, surrendered to my wishes.
But that wasn’t  a normal lovely day, it was my first time seeing Queen Ziah. She was waiting for us in the parlour, and she had a dagger, sharper than an eagle’s sight, pointed at the stall owner’s neck.
It was a frightening sight, but even worse for mirelanda, because she could either protect me and run with me and leave the citizen to die, or fulfil her duty as a guard and risk my life to save the citizen’s. And not to mention, she was most probably no match for Queen Ziah’s pwers.

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BONJOUR!!!!!

How do u like the story so far. I hope you like it , I am sorry for late updating I was travelling and didn't get much time.
Well what do u think will Mirelanda do?? Let's see in next ch.😉
Thanks for supporting me.
By the way I want to tell you this for writing this story, I don't get only credit my best friend Tam also is an author for this she helps in editing, so.............

-staytunewithRu🙂🙃