She stepped quickly down the street, seeking in vain to find a walkway not crowded with people. She pulled her hood down over her face, trying to cover it, but as she was easily six foot five, her face was not well hidden. She rushed past citizens, too busy gossiping to notice her. "I heard that when the queen died, her body dissolved into ashes!" "I heard that she turned into a serpent!" "No, you're both wrong, the queen disappeared mysteriously from her cell the hour before the execution and the beheading was just a show!" Someone would see her once in a while and shout congratulations on killing the queen, but Cedar pretended not to hear. She came to the gate of the city and ran across, making straight for the woods. As she ran, the smell of smoke slowly began to fade into the earthy scent of the forest. She came into a small clearing, and after checking for any well-camouflaged halflorns, sat down on a rock. She buried her face in her hands. Then, and only then, did she allow herself to cry.
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Healing roots
FantasyNaNoWriMo 2024. A woman, the hero of the war, lands herself in the position of caring for the seven-year-old reincarnation of the villainous queen of the dark kingdom. She hates the queen with all her soul, but finds herself falling for the little g...
