Worst Curse: A Ghostwalkers Journey, Book II

Prologue

     Snow began to paint the landscape white, but the Light Witch could feel the darkness scratching at the surface underneath. With motions like the ocean, the darkness pushed and pulled from the mountain ridge. The unstable evil presence let the Light Witch know the coven couldn't harness the darkness themselves. Light had to be involved in the ritual, or all efforts were futile. It had always been law, but the previous High Priestess kept many secrets to her coven. For the moment, the darkness would be contained, but it would only be a matter of time before the coven lost all control, and the darkness descended down on the people.

     Knowing she had a specific role in the ritual, the Light Witch's demeanor changed. Bynan had never seen her take such an aggressive role. She didn't allow for any arguments when she started giving orders. The Capitol building's air grew electric under the orders of the Light Witch. Everyone's hair stood on end when she exited her garden. For her to be away from her sanctuary, it meant matters of great importance need tending to.

     Soldiers ran back and forth, up and down halls, preparing for the Light Witch's exit. Many hours were used to prepare for a day like this, but today would be the first time her leaving would be a reality. Bynan sweat profusely, and made sure every security measure had been double checked. Underneath his armor, his hands shook; the first time in over a decade. Keeping barricaded within the Capitol building, distant from the outside world, left a lot of holes for his imagination. Even though he always had a presence in security meetings, it had been a long time since he had actually had his feet on the ground. Pilo's recent attacks were done in places that like to keep secrets, and there didn't exist a true report of what threats still existed in the dark of night.

     Not taking any risks, Bynan left the Capitol building with a skeleton crew, while he took his entire battalion with him. The Light Witch stepped outside covered in a large, long white coat hiding her face behind white fur. Sliding across the snow, the tail of her coat wiped away her footsteps. She entered the fortified carriage, and the horses were in motion rather quickly. Bynan wanted out of the city before anyone even knew they were gone.

     Soldiers rode ahead, making sure streets were clear. The carriage made an unobstructed exit out of the city. Every pedestrian stopped in their tracks to watch the carriage ride by. A military exercise like this one had never been seen, and it grabbed everyone's attention. Thick negative energy filled the air for those paying attention to it. For those with a closed mind, they grew nervous for no apparent reason. Many owners wrestled with getting their dogs to stop barking as all of the city's animals were restless.

     The carriage's wooden wheels cut through the snow until it reached the forest's edge. At the edge of the forest not a drop of snow remained on the ground. Inside the forest, it felt like a different world. Thick dark clouds hovered above the treetops, blocking out the moonlight. Outside of all the noise Bynan's battalion made, the forest didn't make a sound. Several riders took the lead, carrying torches, to light the way, but they had to slow their pace for safety concerns.

     Not one man had any excitement about their mission. Everyone knew how a trip like this could end. The hunter's demise had been told around many campfires. The dangers awaiting them were no secret. With the Light Witch's urgency, came more reasons for the men to speculate what they were riding into. Not a lot of information had been told to them before departure. Anxiety dug its heels deep into the side of imagination.

     The farther they climbed up the mountain, the stronger the wind blew. Their torch flames blew in the wind, taking away their power. The flickering of the torches barely gave enough light to see the ground at the horse's hooves. Forceful winds made the tree trunks around the men scream, and howl. Not one man didn't have a thought of turning back. Everyone started to feed off of all the negative energy building up around them.