The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (ebook offline reader TXT) 📕

She smiled and rested a hand on his forearm. “We need to learn more about this dust. I’m planning to send you along with some warriors, and Maeve will join you. She will be safe.”

Hakken nodded, not so convinced.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure the Warlock asks for offerings only to spare him from cooking dinner. I doubt humans are part of their diet.”

Regn

They stood ready to leave. Three days after all the emissaries returned to their villages, their group prepared to journey to the Warlock’s dwelling. It was a week-long trip, so they would travel light and fast. Since the human was coming along, maybe ‘fast’ was unrealistic.

At least the old mother gave her new clothes and boots, and the girl no longer looked so pathetic and vulnerable. Regn still considered her useless. They decided Hakken and Kniv would pay a visit to the Warlock along with Maeve. Hurtig would take two other warriors to the Red Moon Valley tribe to ensure their help before the battle. The recent diplomatic impasse would have to be disregarded in views of the critical times ahead. Their tribe had some of the best-trained warriors, so they were essential allies.

At the last minute, the matriarch decided Regn should join the group visiting the Warlock. It may or may not have something to do with the fact he reminded her about the vital information he possessed. The information he had shared with almost the entire half-breed population, but Regn insisted on how important it was for him to tag along.

The usual routine consisted of running the entire day, stop before dark, camp, have a warm meal, and sleeping until dawn; then start over. But the human was no runner. They could tell she tried hard, panting, and sweating. Forcing herself to keep up with the excruciatingly slow pace.

After a while, Hurtig had enough. “This will not work! I understand she can’t go any faster, but we have no time!”

“She is doing her best! She shouldn’t have come in the first place.” Hakken hovered over her as usual.

“You can carry her,” Kniv intervened, “we’ll be able to run, and she’ll be safer. When you grow tired, I can take her.”

They did as Kniv suggested, and the group’s mood improved. They moved fast through the wild, focused but calm. The trees hid them from the midday sun, and the air was pleasant for this time of year. Regn heard her talking and laughing with Hakken. Seeing them so close and at ease brought a scowl to his face, so he kept his distance.

A herd of deer crossed in front of them, and she gaped at their graceful running forms. When she wasn’t talking to Hakken, she would gawk at every little thing they came across. Regn had to remind himself she was annoying instead of endearing.

Later in the afternoon, Hakken allowed Kniv to carry her, and she clung to his back. Her laughter tingled around them when Kniv whispered something to her. She was getting better at understanding their language. Regn thought they looked cute, like a father carrying his daughter.

He wondered if he would get to carry her next.

“Shit,” he hissed.

What’s with these stupid thoughts? He turned to hide the heat on his face, but luckily, they started running, and no one noticed he flustered.

Nightfall found them setting camp. They had caught a wild pig earlier, so while Hurtig and he prepared the carcass for their meal, Hakken and Kniv gathered wood. Maeve offered to start the fire. She worked fast for a useless human.

One warrior kept guard as the other laid down and kicked off his boots. 

A sudden buzz over their heads called their attention, and everyone’s eyes raised to the sky. A flock of tiny birds fluttered right on top of them. “What are they?” They turned to Maeve. She was definitely improving.

Hurtig answered. “Blood hummingbirds.”

She blinked at them, confused. “Why, blood?”

Regn shared a smile with Hurtig and grabbed a bloody bone, throwing it farther. The flock attacked the piece, sucking it dry in seconds. The look of utter amazement on her face made him chuckle.

After dinner, they sat around the fire in peaceful silence, and the girl fell asleep soon after.

“Hakken... what are you going to do if the Warlock kills her?” Hurtig’s gaze rested on the flames.

“I will kill him before he touches her.”

Hurtig rolled her eyes. “Right! You will fight the eldest and most powerful magical being after the Ancients to save your girl.”

“Don’t forget, no one has seen him for over a thousand years. He is so strong he doesn’t even need to step out of his hut to crush you with his magic.” One warrior butted in while picking his teeth. Whether they worry about the girl’s fate or not, it was beyond their capabilities to defend her.

After those last words, they all went quiet.

Would he protect her if needed? A little late to deny he was constantly saving her from deadly situations. Go figure.

They traveled together for five days before parting. Hurtig promised to fix the plight with the Red Moon Valley and meet them again in a week. Hakken, Kniv, Maeve, and he turned to the thickest part of the Forest. To the Warlock.

Maeve

On the day of their arrival, the mood was somber. She had tried to take her mind away from this new trial and look after Hakken since the half-breed grew nervous by the day. He reassured her and insisted he would protect her, but Maeve could tell he was afraid. She didn’t want to force him to fight for her since this Warlock sounded like a formidable foe.

No. She would have to convince this wise man she was worthy of staying in the Forest. It was no longer up to Hakken or Regn to save her.

Regn had come with them to ask about this magic they were so worried about. Mynte had told her about the mountain half-breeds and the war years ago. The stories were daunting, so it was