The Shadows in the Mist

CHAPTER ONE - ESTAH

The strong gusts of wind had steadily blown thick flurries of snow across the forest floor, making my vantage point from a high birch tree futile, as I was now incapable of seeing anything that was out of a three-meter radius.

I brushed my numb fingers across my eyes, removing the flakes that had clung to my lashes.

As far as I could tell, there were no telltale signs of the fae's passing, however my observations could've been comprised considering the lack of visibility.

Stifling a groan, I jumped down from my position in the tree as I had just wasted a good twenty minutes without procuring anything that would be beneficial in warning the others.

I ground my teeth at the unnecessary noise as my fraying boots had crunched loudly on the icy snow, I was well on my way to being captured now I grimly thought.

A shudder skittered down my spine at the thought of being taken to the faerie lands of Prythian – anyone who had been taken there had never returned, but the memories of the brutal war between fae and mankind were still fresh among the elders of my village, and their descriptions had quelled any curiosity I had previously felt about the magically-gifted species.

Stiffening my resolve in helping others like me escape the fate of being captured, I strung my bow across my shoulder and headed south, back to my village.

I had risked much delving this far north into the forest; however, I had wanted to be completely certain that no fae were present in the surrounding areas.

That was how I had survived with magic for eight years and never been taken, I was cautious and above all I was thorough in my preparations. Others I had known hadn't been as careful, and I could still remember the faces of their families, distraught when they hadn't returned after Estah, the one day that fae were permitted into the human lands in order to capture those like myself.

-

The sun had just reached its zenith by the time I exited the forest.

My limbs stiff from suffering under the extreme cold, I wearily trudged up the path that led to my dilapidated cottage hidden amongst two large oak trees, which towered over the house that I used to call home.

Now however, it was first and foremost my father's place of residence, one which I avoided as best I could.

I clenched my teeth as my father and his friends' voices fluttered out to meet me, I didn't need to discern their words to guess they were most likely betting on who would be taken by the fae this year.

Typically, humans who were discovered with magic would only come into their powers at twenty years of age or so. I, however, had just reached thirteen when the betraying scars of magic developed on my arm, cursing me with a life of hiding in order to be safe.

The gnarled wood bit into my hands as I opened the door, quickly I set out to my room and collected a few of my belongings, in particular I placed several daggers and various kinds of weaponry amongst my person.

The remaining items I owned were not important as I would hopefully be back tomorrow, though I couldn't resist placing a golden chain set with an emerald around my neck – the only memento I had left of my mother.

I had hoped not to be noticed as I went downstairs, nonetheless, one of my father's friends stood in the doorway, if I remembered correctly his name was Isaac and he was about as annoying as his current position blocking my exit was.

"I don't think you'll last an hour."

I growled, "move out of the way."

He walked up closer to me. "Though I'd be happy to assist you, given fair payment of course."

"No thanks." I firmly stated, shoving him out of the way, I had already lost too much time.

-

All of us who possessed any magic, or prae, as we were often called, met in the center square of our small village.

Ages ranging from eighteen to thirty, I was still considered one of the youngest despite having been identified with magic before everyone else present.

There were only a few that had decided to leave earlier, thinking that the farther they got from the border to Prythian, the safer they'd be, though knowing from experience I understood the value of knowing the threats that your surroundings posed.

Everyone shared their own findings from any earlier monitoring of the outskirts of our village.

One of the older ones, Tal, spoke first, "I looked in the south-west region, there were no signs of fae, but I did notice a fire further in the distance, however I ran out of time before I could get a closer look."

I would avoid that area then; it was always best not to take risks.

The others then began listing all their searching areas, thus far, I had determined going north or slightly to the east seemed like the best viable option.

Proceeding everyone's decisions in which directions they were going to follow, most had decided east and about four like me decided to go north, we all set off at different intervals.

I was the first to leave, only taking a quick look behind me, wondering how many would be taken tonight, and if that included me.