Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 15: While We Were Away

As they passed through the Cordonian Forest, the dark, otherworldly feeling returned as if a sickness lay on the land. An infection had set in, brought on by dark and twisted acts and the blood that was spilled in this once hallowed wood.

The forest was cold and lifeless, yet with every step, they felt something watching them as they went.

"Do you feel that?" King Galen asked. His voice seemed to tremble ever so slightly. "That's the feeling we felt the day before the attack on our city."

"You felt this a day before it happened?" Sir Arden questioned.

"That must mean this heaviness came from something other than the attack." Sir Gerald chimed in.

"But what does a bad feeling have to do with anything?" Lennox asked.

"Such feelings are usually evidence that something dark has happened in a place. That darkness leaves a wound and as with any wound, it's open to infection if not treated soon." Sir Arden replied.

"And by infection, you mean..." Lennox trailed off.

"By infection he means that it attracts bad things. Ghosts, ghouls, and gods only knows what else. Especially if someone dies a violent death, they may never find rest. Instead they walk the land searching for a way out." Sir Gerald replied.

"But ghosts don't exist though. That's just the superstition of peasants." Lennox scoffed.

"Well to be fair Lennox, peasants tend to not stay holed up inside a castle their entire lives, and are thus more likely to see ghosts." Sir Arthur joined the conversation now.

Isolda and Alec both stayed silent, neither wanting to get involved.

"Kid, whoever told you that was burning more in his home than just incense." Sir Gerald replied with a smile.

"You're telling me that you've seen the dead walk, and a living being made of pure Earth, and you draw the line at ghosts? What a typical royal brat." Sir Arthur said. He and Sir Gerald shared a chuckle.

"It's probably for the best." Replied Sir Gerald. "He would probably hide behind the horses again if he saw a ghost."

The whole group burst into uproarious laughter. Even King Galen and Fey laughed at Lennox's expense, while Lennox scowled and hung his head.

They passed through the forest with relative ease until they came to the ashen ruins of Eldenwood. The air was still and all was quiet. Sir Arden motioned for everyone to gather around him.

"We must tread carefully. If there are ghosts here, the only way to put them to rest would be to kill the one who killed them. Seeing as how Marius is in the wind, we shouldn't deal with them. All of the Huntsmen's weapons are infused with holy oil and salt, so they can dispel ghosts temporarily, but not put them down for good. Lennox your magic will work too. If it's anything else, it's still better to let us handle it. Anyone without the proper weapons should stay in between us." Then he turned and looked back at Alec. "Are you ok without a weapon lad?" Sir Arden said to him.

Alec nodded hesitantly. "I think I'll be ok."

They dismounted their horses, once they started to fidget, and continued to walk them through the ruins cautiously. To the left, the rubble stirred ever so slightly, but still enough to put them even more on edge. Each step they took was calculated, and precise, hoping to draw as little attention as possible.

Something stirred in a building in front of them. The horses struggled against the reins forcefully at this point. A figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere. It resembled a woman with long dark hair, in a white dress. Her face was contorted into something between a scowl and a mournful frown. Her long, flowing dress was just high enough off the ground to reveal that her feet never once touched the ash and dirt as she floated closer to them.