The Duchess

chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Enchanted Forest Beckons

The castle courtyard was alive with cheers and laughter as Rian and Irina rode off for their long-awaited honeymoon. Rian, ever the charmer, turned in his saddle to shout one last playful remark. "Don’t let the kingdom fall apart while I’m gone!"

Irina, her cheeks flushed, gave a rare smile, though she quickly turned away to hide it. Hanna stood at the gates, arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

As the dust settled behind the couple, Hanna turned to Allen. "You said you’d be there if I needed help," she said, her voice calm but firm.

Allen raised an eyebrow, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "And here I am. What’s the task, my fearless Duchess?"

Without another word, Hanna mounted her horse. "Puppers has been acting strange. He’s leading us somewhere, and I don’t think it’s for a stroll."

Allen shrugged, climbed onto his own horse, and followed. "Following a dog into danger. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable plan."

The ride began as any other, the familiar countryside rolling past. But soon, the terrain grew wilder, untamed. The trees thickened, their branches twisting like the fingers of an old crone. Puppers, usually content to trot alongside Hanna, now bounded ahead, his nose to the ground, tail wagging with purpose.

Allen broke the silence. "You sure he’s not just chasing a rabbit?"

Hanna shot him a look. "I’ve learned to trust his instincts. You might want to start doing the same."

As the forest grew darker, Puppers suddenly stopped. Without warning, he leapt from the trail, his small frame twisting in mid-air. When he landed, he was no longer a dog but a mid-sized wolf, his fur glinting silver in the dim light.

Hanna and Allen froze, their horses shifting uneasily.

"You can talk now, can’t you?" Hanna said, more a statement than a question.

The wolf turned, his piercing eyes meeting hers. "I was sent from the future by a mage," he began, his voice deep and resonant, "to guide you. The world hangs on the edge of destruction, and the answer lies in the enchanted forest."

Allen blinked. "Right. Just another ordinary day."

The wolf ignored him, focusing on Hanna. "There is a growing threat, one that feeds on magic and life itself. You are the key to stopping it, but the forest will test you. Only those with pure purpose can navigate its paths."

Hanna nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then lead the way”
The forest seemed alive as they ventured deeper. The air grew thick, and the mist clung to their skin like cold silk. The trees whispered secrets, their voices just out of reach.

Hanna felt a pull in her chest, a strange connection to the place. Allen stayed close, his usual bravado subdued by the eerie atmosphere.

"Tell me more about this threat," Hanna said to the wolf.

Before he could answer, the forest opened into a clearing. At its center stood a cloaked figure, their back to the group. They held a glowing artifact, its light casting unnatural shadows on the ground.

The wolf growled. "That artifact is a key to the darkness spreading across the land. It must be destroyed."

Hanna slid off her horse, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Allen dismounted as well, his own weapon ready.

The cloaked figure turned, their face hidden in shadows. The forest seemed to hold its breath.

"Be ready," the wolf said, his voice low. "This is just the beginning."