Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 37 - The Journey to Smoreri Hold

Ava had already left the Isle of Loxca behind, the fortress and its familiar stone walls now distant memories as she trekked northward. The early dawn light filtered through the thick canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, and the sounds of the waking wilderness filled the silence around her. She adjusted the small pack on her shoulders, its weight a constant reminder of the path she had chosen.

The decision to leave her companions had not been an easy one, but it was necessary. She couldn't bear the thought of them risking their lives for her, not when the Queen's demand had been so clear. Ava's heart ached at the memory of their faces, the bond they had forged through battles and hardships. But she knew that if they had known of her plan, they would have insisted on coming with her. Harvan, especially, would have never let her go alone. But she couldn't let them face the danger that awaited her at Smoreri Hold. That burden was hers to carry alone.

The path before her was rugged, winding through dense forest and over rocky terrain. She had been walking for hours, the Isle of Loxca now far behind, replaced by the untamed wilderness that stretched out for miles. Each step took her closer to Smoreri Hold, a place she had only heard of in whispers—a fortress shrouded in darkness, deep within the heart of a mountain range. The journey would take four days, but Ava was determined to reach it without delay. Every moment counted.

Her thoughts churned as she walked, the rhythmic crunch of leaves and twigs beneath her boots the only sound accompanying her. She had always been surrounded by others, whether it was her family, her friends, or the Naitseers. But now, for the first time, she was truly alone. The isolation gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task ahead. There was no room for doubt or fear. Not now.

As the morning wore on, Ava found herself replaying the events that had led her here. The Queen's message had been clear—come alone, or those she cared about would suffer. It was a threat that had struck at the core of her being, leaving her with no choice but to comply. She knew it was a trap, but she couldn't risk their lives, not after everything they had done for her.

She had made her decision, and now she had to live with it. Ava's resolve hardened as she pressed on, her eyes scanning the path ahead. The forest began to thin as she neared the edge of the tree line, the ground sloping upward toward the foothills of the mountain range. Smoreri Hold lay somewhere beyond, an intimidating stronghold that waited in silence, knowing she was coming.

With every step, Ava felt the weight of her choice pressing down on her, but she refused to falter. She would face whatever lay ahead, no matter how difficult. The thought of her friends—Harvan, Taci, Yaroth, and the others—gave her strength. She had left them behind to protect them, but she carried them with her in spirit.

The path ahead was uncertain, the dangers unknown, but Ava knew one thing for sure—she wouldn't turn back. Not now. Not ever.

By the second day of her journey, the forest had begun to thin, giving way to open plains dotted with patches of tall grass and rocky outcrops. The path was clearer now, but the terrain grew more challenging as the land sloped upward toward the distant mountains. Ava's progress was steady, her determination unwavering, but the journey was beginning to take its toll. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the land as she pushed forward.

As she crested a small hill, Ava spotted the river that cut across the landscape—a wide, fast-moving body of water that wound through the plains like a silver serpent. She had known she would have to cross it eventually, but the sight that greeted her when she reached the riverbank made her heart sink.

The bridge she had planned to use, a sturdy wooden structure marked on her map, was no longer there. Instead, she found a twisted mess of broken planks and debris, half-submerged in the churning water. The recent storm had swollen the river beyond its banks, the once-gentle current now a roaring torrent that swept away anything in its path.