Marmalade's Love Potion

Ch 6 - The Lights Of Darkwood

Penelope woke to the comforting sound of hot liquid being poured into stonework. She was enveloped by a cosy warmth, and imagined for a moment that she had drifted off by her hearth fire, and one of the Sisters was pouring tea.

This notion was dispelled by the loud slurping and gulping that followed. Penelope sat up with a jolt. Marmot was wrapped in a thick woollen blanket clutching a steaming mug of cocoa, his snout ringed with chocolate.

Marmalade smiled, holding out a second cup for Penelope. Penelope accepted the mug with a bewildered thanks, and stared at their surroundings.

They were sat on the deck of Marmalade's boat, encircled by amber warming stones. Penelope realised that her thick skirt was almost dry.

Marmalade cradled a small copper kettle, topping up Marmot's cup before setting it down on a glowing stone plate.

Mist spilled over the river, seeming almost alive as it curled up the leafy banks. Overhead a high canopy of deepest green obscured the sky.

Penelope had never seen woods like this.

Layer upon layer of dense foliage enfettered the boughs of enormous, ancient trees as they arched, intertwining, high over the waters.

Their thick, silver trunks were barnacled with moss and luminescent structures that resembled the corals Penelope had once found in pools deep within the Faewood.

The trees grew thick along both banks of the river, though Penelope caught the occasional movement of light and shadow through the gaps between them.

Icy panic flooded Penelope as she realised she had no idea where they were, where the boat was going, or how far from Grimwood they had travelled.

"Where are we? I need to get back to the Sisters!" Penelope exclaimed, launching herself upright on unsteady feet. "I was supposed to meet them back at the fountain, they must be so worried, I—"

"Shhhh, it's alright," Marmalade whispered, standing with far more grace than Penelope and taking the cup of cocoa from Penelope's shaky grasp.

"Everything will be alright, but I need you to sit back down. And speak more quietly. Please."

Penelope regarded Marmalade. The wood witch didn't seem fearful per se, but something in her stance, and the way her eyes shifted from Penelope's face to scan the trees behind her, made Penelope nervous.

"What is this place?" Penelope whispered as she sat back down on the deck, her neck prickling as she glanced behind her. A shadow darted between the silver trunks.

"We're coming up to the heart of the Darkwood," Marmalade murmured.

Penelope wanted to ask more questions but chewed her tongue to keep them from spilling out and attracting the attention of whatever was moving through the trees.

Marmot, finished with his cocoa, drew his blanket about him and shivered by Marmalade's side. Penelope reclaimed her own mug from Marmalade and sipped. The chocolate was rich and laced with sweet spices. Penelope drank more deeply, grateful for the warmth.

"That was a very foolish thing you did earlier," Marmalade said, her tone light and quiet, though her eyes continued watching, lingering on any movement in the trees.

Penelope drew a heavy breath, nodding as she sighed. Keeping her voice to a whisper, Penelope turned to Marmot.

"I'm so sorry for getting you into trouble. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. Are you alright?"

Marmot cocked his head to the side, then nodded, emitting a happy chirp.

"Well, that seems in good order. Though I meant you diving into the river. I am grateful you retrieved my companion. But you almost drowned yourself."