Abby and the Mad Prince's Son. The Outpost: Episode One

Chapter Twelve

'We can't leave the outpost,' breathed Esme as she and Abby came to the end of the thicket. 'What about the chimera? It's too dangerous.'

Watching Baron Ren slowly disappear into the depths of the forest before them, Abby replied, 'But we must. It's up to us now.'

'Let's go tell Princess Edina. Tell a soldier.'

'But Baron Ren will be long gone by then. Esme, if you want to go back, go. I'll understand.'

'I'm not leaving you. If you're going, I'm going.'

Abby smiled and gave her best friend a hug. She then led the way, the two bursting out from the mass of roots.

And through the forest they followed Baron Ren, weaving delicately under bushes and prickly brambles, until the light from the outpost behind them died away. But a glowing ball soon took his place, it floating in the pitch black as if by magic.

Abby wanted to light her own glowing ball, but Baron Ren would surely notice.

Though dark under foot, the girls managed to keep up without making a sound. They waded through a stream and skirted a hollow sunk into the ground. It was beyond a crest riddled with crevices, now far from the outpost, when the forest's insects and critters seemed to spring to life.

There were chirps from night pixies, hisses from wyvernflies, croaks from waxtoads and much more but thankfully nothing bigger than a flying dwarf fox, its howl echoing down from the trees.

Even if Abby heard the chimera, she would have no idea it was the creature. Being that they were supposed to be extinct, she had never heard one before.

Abby then wondered, as they entered into a large clearing budding with whorly grass, if this has anything to do with the beast. She remembered Baron Ren's reaction when they were told of the chimera. His demeanor had changed.

She was about to impart this revelation to Esme when the light from Baron Ren's glowing ball abruptly vanished.

The two froze as they were plunged into gloom, unable to see their hands in front of them.

'Where'd he go?' muttered Esme.

'I don't know,' Abby replied. 'But maybe we can hear him.'

But as they stood in complete silence, Abby only heard more of the forest's wildlife and their pumping hearts.

'We've lost him,' Esme piped up. 'We should head back. Light up the glowing ball and let's get the underworld out of here.'

Abby didn't want their venture to be for nothing but what else could they do.

'Very well,' she replied. 'Let's get back.'

Abby was about to pull out her glowing ball when a shattering crash cracked the air before a blinding light exploded all around. She had barely figured out what had hit them, when her head felt like it was being scrambled.

Then, everything went black.

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The aroma of frying eggs brought Abby out of her slumber. After rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the bottom of her bed and to the new cauldron her parents had bought her. She couldn't wait to go to potions' school.

Knock. Knock.

'Yes,' Abby yawned.

'Good, you're awake,' her father called out. 'Breakfast is nearly ready.'

'I'll be there shortly.'

'And just so that you know, someone has come to see you. He's sitting in the kitchen with your mother.'