Maid Marian vs. Velasca

6. The Adventure Begins

The day of our departure arrived swiftly, the air tense with anticipation. The castle seemed quieter than usual, as though it, too, was holding its breath for what lay ahead. I stood at the gates, bow slung across my back, a quiver of arrows at my side. Footman, Alaric, Judy, and Krystal gathered behind me, each of us prepared in our own way for the challenges that awaited.

The path through Sherwood Forest was familiar, though this time it felt different. We were heading not for adventure, but for a confrontation with forces none of us fully understood yet. Robin's life—and perhaps more—hung in the balance, and every step forward brought us closer to whatever darkness Velasca had in store.

We traveled for days, the trees thinning as we approached the distant mountains where Velasca's castle was rumored to stand. The air grew colder, and I could feel the weight of something unseen pressing down on us. It wasn't until we made camp one night, under the pale light of the moon, that I started to feel a growing sense of unease. It wasn't just the men who were restless—there was something off about the very air around us, as though it carried whispers we couldn't quite hear.

Sitting around the fire, I caught a glance between Alaric and Footman. They were quiet, more so than usual, their expressions tight, their gazes darting occasionally into the shadows of the forest.

Judy was the first to notice. "You two alright?" she asked, her ears twitching as she took a bite of her dinner. Her sharp eyes scanned their faces. "You've been acting strange all day."

Footman shifted uncomfortably, his hand gripping his sword hilt a little too tightly. "It's nothing, milady," he muttered, though there was a slight edge to his voice.

Krystal, ever observant, didn't let it go unnoticed. "It's more than nothing, isn't it?" she said, her voice calm but firm. "What's going on?"

Alaric glanced at Footman before speaking, his voice low. "It's... hard to explain. Ever since we crossed that last ridge, it feels like something's pulling at me. Like there's something just out of reach, calling me. It's in my dreams. In the air."

Footman nodded slowly, though he kept his eyes on the ground. "I feel it too. Something... something's not right."

I felt a cold shiver run through me. Velasca. We were getting close. I hadn't realized that her influence could extend this far, but it was clear now—her magic had already started to affect the men.

Krystal leaned forward, her voice soft but serious. "This is her. Her magic. It's starting to reach you because you're vulnerable to it. She's preparing her snare."

Judy blinked, her ears standing on edge. "What do we do? If she's already messing with their heads, how do we protect them?"

I looked between Alaric and Footman, my heart heavy with the realization that they were at risk. "We have to stay together. The closer we get, the stronger her pull will be, especially on you two." I paused, my voice firm. "But we're not turning back."

Alaric nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I didn't come this far to turn back now."

Footman remained silent but gave a nod, his grip tightening on his sword as though bracing himself for the battle to come.

"We'll be vigilant," Krystal said, her calm voice cutting through the tension. "Judy and I will keep an eye on both of you. If her magic grows stronger, we'll find a way to break through."

The night passed slowly, with all of us taking turns keeping watch, though the unease lingered, like a presence just beyond the edge of the firelight. The next day, as the sun rose, we continued onward, the mountains growing closer, the air colder still.

It wasn't long before we saw it—the looming silhouette of Velasca's castle, perched high on a cliff, its dark towers reaching toward the sky like jagged teeth. The closer we got, the more palpable the magic in the air became. It felt thick, like an invisible force pressing down on us, and I could see the strain on Alaric and Footman's faces, though they said nothing.

As we approached the base of the cliff, I knew the time had come. Velasca's influence was strongest here, and if we were going to confront her, it had to be now.

"We're close," I said, turning to the group. "Be ready for anything."

Judy, Krystal, Alaric, and Footman nodded, each of us tightening our grips on our weapons, ready for whatever awaited us inside the castle. I could feel the weight of Velasca's magic bearing down on us, and yet... there was still hope. As long as we stood together, there was a chance we could break through her enchantments and bring Robin home.

But as we climbed toward the castle gates, I knew the true battle was only just beginning.