What Lurks Behind The Trees

Hidden secrets

The floor creaked under Celia's feet as she ran to her mother's call, she sounded urgent, her voice light and happy. She walked in the room "What is it mother-" she froze, eyes widened and mouth hung open in shock. There she was, sitting up; smiling at her, face healthier than ever, Laina looked like her twenty year old self again. Celia's eyes welled up with tears as she stared at her sister, her grey eyes were bright, her brown hair tied back in a braid, her cheeks rosy and full, she looked alive, vibrant. Without thinking, Celia ran to her sister and wrapped her in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face. "Laina, I thought you'd never come back." She sobbed, tightening her arms around her neck.

"I thought so too." Laina whispered as her tears also ran freely down her face.

They let go of each other and Celia sat on her bed beside her. She held her hand; it was warm, like the blood had started to flow through her veins. "Mother, when did she wake up?"

"This morning, but you were out in the field." Ada smiled warmly.

"Where's father? And Gregor?" Laina asked.

Celia looked at her mother worriedly; Ada looked down in sorrow, wringing her hands together. Laina sensed her mother's anxiety and looked between the two, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"What? What is it?"

"L-Laina, I don't know how to tell you this."

Laina held her mother hand tightly "mother please!"

Ada sighed before telling her everything that had happened, Celia helping her fill in the gaps. They shivered as they remembered the events of the last few weeks. Laina's arms went limp; she stared blankly ahead muttering to herself "This is my fault. This is all my fault." And slowly she broke down and held her head in her hands, shaking it frantically.

Ada quickly pried her hands away and held her face in her hands, staring directly at her eyes. "No. This is not your fault. This was bound to happen." Celia looked at her mother in confusion. "It's not my place to tell you. When your father comes back he'll explain everything."

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In the corner of a dark cell, under the heavy bricks of the castle, and beneath all the gold and glitter, sat Dyron Blackwood. He sat against a damp wall, his arms resting on his bent knees and his head tucked down in shame. His hair was no longer tied back neatly, his eyes filled with pain and his lips dry from dehydration. The kings words kept invading his mind 'I won't kill you until I find your precious son, until then enjoy your time in a cell.' The smug smirk kept replaying in his head and he just wanted to wipe it off his sickening face.

Dyron put a hand over his heart in pain, his heart felt heavy and he couldn't breathe, his shirt scrunched up as he clutched his chest. His heart was full of shame, weighing it down, filling it till it felt like it could burst. This was not how he wanted to end; this was the last thing he had in mind. He wanted to die protecting his family, protecting his name, not crumbling away in the king's hand. A stray tear made its way down his face, the more he thought, the more it hurt, and the only thing he could do in a place like this was think. Watching the droplets of water falling through the ceiling and into a puddle or that mouse that was running across the window was not going to distract him from the reality, and he was not going to give up so easily.

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Gregor stared at his reflection in the flowing river. He stared at his red eye, then at his grey eye, he closed one and opened the other, frowning at its monstrosity. He stared at the hideous bite on his left shoulder, a nasty black colour. He tied his brown hair back, front hairs hanging down and framing his face because they were too short. He wore a grey long sleeved tunic with the left sleeve completely ripped, the tunic was cinched with a black belt, black breeches tucked into black boots, he looked a mess. He stood up and watched as he transformed his arm. He traced his eyes over the black veins running through it, the sharp claws, and the grey skin. It was huge, about twice the size of his normal arm and certainly twice the thickness. He frowned again at his monstrous arm, it will always haunt him, remind him of that day.

Gregor flinched, startled by Aden, jumping out of nowhere and putting his arm around His shoulder "You hate it don't you. I think its quite impressive." He said giving him his signature smirk. "You're quite striking aren't ya! Look you've even got a beard growing!" He poked him on the face annoyingly. Gregor glared at him.

"You've got nothing better to do." He grumbled

Aden clapped him on the back "Nah! Teasing you is fun!"

Gregor transformed his arm back to normal "Do you know where we are?"

"I'd say we're pretty far east, pretty close to the forest."

"Do you think we'll get there soon?"

"We're running short on food, we need to stop by a village or something." Aden said patting his tummy.

"Do you know what our plan is for crossing the forest?"

"Ask Alan, I think he's in charge now." He said shrugging.

They both turned around when they heard someone approaching "Gregor Blackwood, there's someone here for you." The man said and led Gregor to where Alan was sitting. Next to him sat a strange man, wearing armour with a navy cape. Gregor frowned, that man was a king's guard.

He walked to Alan making sure to beware of that man. The man saw Gregor and knelt down, holding his helmet in his right hand; Gregor lifted an eyebrow in confusion "You're a king's guard."

"Yes, Sir Blackwood, I am a king's guard. My name is Darren." He lifted his head and stood up "I have come to tell you of your father, he has not yet been executed, he's in a cell."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I have known the Blackwoods for many years; we have been loyal to them."

"What?" Gregor whispered in disbelief.

The guard took out a cloth and opened it, Gregor gasped, inside lay the dagger that his father gave him.

"I took it, or stole it Sir Blackwood. I might get punished for this but I want you to know, that some of us within the castle walls know the truth."

"I don't understand."

"Then your father hid the secret well, to protect you. Here." He passed Gregor the dagger "This is yours. If you're going beyond the forest, I suggest you find someone, someone close yet very far, he'll reveal the truth to you. Give him my name and he'll know. You'll find him by his grey eyes. He goes by the name Julian Blackwood."

Gregors eyes widened "Who is this person?"

"He's your brother."

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Dun dun dun! New characters revealed and thus knew quests will begin. This is where Gregor's adventure begins!

I have big plans for this story so please stay updated and don't miss out. Please tell me if the pacing is good because i'm not sure. Thank you to all the readers! vote and comment please! I'm open to criticism and advice. ^_^