Mystic Woods

                Tonight.

                That was the only thing Setiri could think of as she rode her horse down the narrow path through the forest. It was the first new moon since Midsummer, and for Setiri, it was the night she looked forward to all year long, as it was the single chance each year that she could be with the only person she would ever love.

                Her horse stopped walking suddenly and she knew she was almost there. Looking up at the trees, she could see the difference. In the direction she had come from, the trees were simply trees. Some were dead, others had broken limbs or damaged bark. But where she was going, they seemed more perfect. They seemed greener and each tree was lush with growth. They provided a thicker canopy as well, giving Setiri thick shade for the rest of her journey.

                She stroked her mare’s mane and spoke softly to her, urging her onwards. The horse could sense that something just wasn’t right about this particular part of the woods and was hesitant to enter. The bay mare finally took a step forwards and Setiri knew she wouldn’t offer any more resistance. Every year, the mare didn’t want to enter, but she seemed perfectly content once she was there.

                The lovely scent of flowers on the wind let Setiri know just how close she was to her destination. The tree those flowers grew on could only be found one spot in the woods. She resisted the urge to push her horse into a gallop. It was too dangerous and she had plenty of time. It was only midday and Raytur wouldn’t be there until sundown.

                Light shone through the trees up ahead, and as she approached closer, she saw the water of the lake and a smile crossed her face. She had made it with plenty of time to spare. Every year, she worried that she would arrive late; she couldn’t stand the thought of losing even one precious moment with Raytur. They had so little time together.

                Not far from where she arrived on the lake’s edge was the small cabin she called home. She may only have lived there for two weeks a year, but it was more her home than anywhere else. She’d give up all the luxuries of her father’s home if only she could be with her true love all the time. With her father being a duke, it would be a lot to give up, but it would be worth it. She’d been prepared to throw it all away before. Before the curse.

                Setiri dismounted her mare outside the cabin. After removing the bags of supplies attached to the saddle, as well as the saddle itself and the bit and reins, she left the horse to wander while she carried everything inside. The cabin was just as she had left it the previous year, just a little dustier. She removed the blankets from the bed and shook the dust off outside and then pulled the chest out and brushed that off before opening it.

                The chest contained a small collection of clothes that she had stocked it with several years ago when she first started making her annual trip to the woods. She had replaced a few items over the years as things wore out, but only when necessary. It was nothing like her collection of clothes at home, which were replaced anytime the seasons changed. But life was simpler in the woods, and she didn’t need so much. She pulled out the only gown in the chest – she felt silly wearing it in the middle of nowhere, but she always liked to make the first night with Raytur special and so, she dressed up for it.

                She stripped off the clothes she had arrived in and carried them with her to the lake. After over a week’s journey, she and her clothes needed to be cleaned. Leaving the clothes on the grassy shore, she Setiri stepped into the cool water. A shiver ran through her body, but once she submerged her entire body, it no longer felt cold. She scrubbed the dirt from her body, glad to have a clean feeling once again. Once she felt perfectly clean, she washed her clothes and then hung them to dry.