Mayaca Forest

"Cary me to my love, O'er the sea to the clouds above, mmhmm…"

Grace hummed as the sound of chirping birds and crunching dry leaves reached her ears. With her hands gripping a basket, she stopped beside an old tree only to pick some herbs and mushrooms.

It was early morning and the sun was yet to rise, Grace forced herself to wake up early and walked miles to get the herbs her grandmother needed. She was never a morning person but it was an order, an errand, a command, if she cannot fulfill it, she will be punished severely. Of course, what do you expect from an old witch? Grace humphed.

The townspeople needed people like her grandmother, hence, every year, the old hag conducts special training for special students with special abilities. Her grandmother only had one requirement, and that is to be special. Of course.

20 years of existence and yet Grace doesn't know anything about witchcraft. Her grandmother forbids her from entering the enchanted rooms for she was never really special. The townspeople knew about it and tried to intimidate her, especially her grandmother's disciples.

"29,30… finally," Grace released a big sigh of relief after counting the mushrooms and herbs she collected. As she was about to stand, sound of horses made her froze. Must be travelers?

She stood straight and fixed her hood, Grace hid behind the old tree as she wipes the dirt on her dress. Early travelers were not rare. The town of Mayaca has always been visited by many travelers, some even stay for good and others make business.

Grace crossed her arms and waited for the travelers to pass by. Again, she was never a morning person. To her, watching travelers pass early in the morning is an extremely rare case.

"Are we near?" the sound of horses stopped and was replaced by a manly voice.

Grace peeked behind the large tree and saw three men with fine clothes and magnificent horses. The man on the right side with white clothes and blonde hair was still on his horse, eating a loaf of bread. Their backs were facing her; hence, Grace cannot see their faces.

Interesting. Grace thought. She never expected to see such rich travelers who seemed like to visit her small town.

The Mayaca forest was the right resting place for tired travelers. The forest was rich in soil, water, fruits and everything. This place was her grandmother's source of good witchcraft.

The man who wore brown blazers with black hair on the right side was tying their horses, he had a small frame and looked more like a teen or a servant. Grace switched her eyes to the man on the front. His frame was big and muscular unlike the other two. Grace was even more mesmerized when the man climbed down from his horse. His hair was silver and very long. He wore a red traveler's robe that made Grace gulped. Is he a hunter? Grace chuckled silently. He looked too elegant to be hunter.

Meanwhile, with a frown, Linux looked around, sharp and observant. He touched the back of his neck and frowned even more. It felt like someone was watching them. Linux hissed silently. Another pest.

"Cousin!"

Linux snapped to reality and saw his cousin, Nicolas, grinning at him.

"What?" Linux didn't smile. He started moving and tied his long hair, with a calm demeanor, Linux leaned on the old tree and closed his eyes as he ignores Nicolas' blabbering.

Linux was always sharp with everything. He excelled at everything, the people admired him at the same time, despised him too. He was always stoic, cold and emotionless, if not emotionless, he would always put a frown on his handsome face. The only ones who can stand him was his cousin, Nicolas who was very opposite of him.

Although Linux did not sense any danger from the owner of the eyes, he rested his mind from the sleepless nights.

Grace stood still as she waits for them to rise. She eventually regretted watching them, it's been an hour and they're still resting. Grandma will punish me! Grace cried in her mind. The guy with the silver hair has his eyes closed with a sharp knife on his right hand while the blonde man keeps talking about explicit books about women and whores that he had been sleeping with. She cannot just step out of it! These guys are making her scared and awkward.

Grace was about to give up when the three rose in unison. "Sires, we need to depart now, the Witch governess is waiting for us," the man with a small frame spoke.

Grace twitched. Bloody hell. Witch governess? That's my grandmother, if I arrive at this time, I'll be punished!

She was about to run when the man with blonde hair spoke.

"Does the witch really know where Dancing Maiden is?" the blonde hair looked at the servant.

Grace stopped on her track. Dancing Maiden? Dancing Maiden… quite familiar.

"Probably, sire. The book has given its clues, the town was the last one, I believe the governess was somewhat connected to the bloodline of spiritual guides," the guy with silver hair didn't speak.

"It has been a century, I know not why uncle and grandfather gave us this mission," the blonde hair added with a soft baritone voice.

"A mission is a mission, you are not a real Vashain if you don't keep your word. If you let the Cuerins find the Dancing Maiden first, then you are not worthy of your title," his voice gave Grace goosebumps. She never thought his voice could be this cold.

As they leave, Grace was left dumbfounded, still hidden behind the large and old tree. She kept thinking and thinking until she remembered her grandmother's students talking about the legendary 'Dancing Maiden' she does not know the exact story and details but the Dancing Maiden was known to be a goddess and the protector of land. The mother of incantations.

Grace grinned. Then maybe this 'Dancing Maiden' can grant me powers! If not, I'll ask those rich travelers to lend me treasures if I help them find what they're looking for. I'm the granddaughter of a witch! I'm sure I can manage.

With this idea, Grace immediately left the forest with a big smirk. I'll need to eavesdrop.