44

The walk in the forest was eerily silent. Regan hated that silence. The air was thick with unspoken things. Not only that, it was even getting darker. The sky was looming over with black, heavy clouds, promising of rain. Regan didn't know if it rained like on Earth, but that was the most logical thing to think about.

"I wonder why these creatures appeared like that," Regan murmured to herself. Although she didn't want to believe it, she couldn't shrink the possibility of Sirius being involved. But strangely, something prevented her from believing it. And then, the gunshots. Where did they come from?

"They're just monsters looking for preys," Artemis replied, "If not us, it'd have been someone else."

"And where we're going now? This forest is endless," Regan vented, gesturing at the forest, "Are we just going to keep wandering and then find more thugs and monsters?"

"There's a way to the city," Artemis replied, "If we had left with my carriage, none of this would've happened. He just wanted to get us in trouble, that's what."

Regan agreed very well with that, "Yeah. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's the reason these beasts crossed out way."

"My lady, it's getting darker. We should hurry," the servant said, her voice urgent as she noticed the darkening forest.

The forest continued to grow with the creepy mists and challenging roads, when they had no idea which turn to take, despite Artemis saying that she knew the way out.

As they continued to navigate, the rain began, and heavy raindrops started to fall in a high, astonishing speed. The wind blew strong, stronger than any wind Regan had ever felt before. The rain became denser and heavier quickly, its pressure was palpable.

Regan felt like the rain was striking her and although she tried to not show it, the pain was notable in her. The thundering noises and lights on the sky were strangely scaring her. Before she hadn't ever been scared of thunders and lights but now, it was different. Maybe because she wasn't on Earth.

"Oh God!" she said and turned to Artemis, "What's that kind of storm? This is terrible!"

"I know. We need to find shelter," her sister replied, covering her head with her hands.

Regan felt the coldness seep through her cloak and she started coughing, "We already are at shelter!" she retorted in frustration. The trees covered them, but still it had no effect on the rain.

She started to shiver uncontrollably. She hated being vulnerable but couldn't help it. Artemis and the servant looked rather better.

The rain kept falling, harder and harder, and thunder was so loud it seemed as if it was right above them. Lightning lit the forest for brief moments, revealing the trees in all their terrible beauty. She wished she could see more clearly.

Finally, they came upon a small hut hidden deep within the woods. It was made of mud and straw, and had a thatched roof. There was a small opening for a door, and a window covered in thick, woven cloth.

"That should do it," Regan cracked as she saw the shelter. She approached it cautiously and pushed its 'door' using her leg.

The hut had a small, dried fireplace. There were a few crude chairs and a table made of wood. A small bed was pushed against one wall, covered with animal furs. The floor was covered in straw. A shelf above the fireplace held various pots and pans, as well as dried herbs and vegetables.

Regan approached the fireplace while holding her cloak strongly. Her hands were cold but she quickly rubbed them together. A dim and subtle spark formed on them. Satisfied, Regan lit the small fireplace on the hearth, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere inside the hut. She then placed two logs on the fire, making it grow stronger. The fire's light illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Artemis and the servant just watched.

Regan removed her cloak and draped it over the tall woods. She advised Artemis to do the same. The servant didn't have what to do. She sheepishly approached the fireplace.

Regan started to squeeze her wet red hair, her clothes clinging uncomfortably at her, but she remembered it wasn't the first time. She kept shivering but tried to heat up by the fire.

Artemis, who was doing the same with her hair, sighed, "This is disgusting. I can't believe we made all that road, to end up being caught in a storm and ending up in this filthy cabin," she complained in frustration.

The maid nodded in response, able to relate as well, "You're right, lady Artemis. Let's hope we make it out alive."

Regan shoved the dust away from an old wooden chair and sat down, approaching the fire, "Of course we'll make it out alive. As soon as the storm ends or gets better, we'll leave."

Artemis continued to express her disdain for the cabin. She glared at her surroundings and cursed Sirius under her breath.

Regan, noticing it, tried to change the subject, "So, Artemis, why would these beasts attack us?" she asked, having her own doubts.

"They're just common monstrous creatures. They happened to be there," Artemis answered nonchalantly.

Regan frowned, narrowing her eyes, "But we were followed by Sirius's men, weren't we? He must be behind the attack."

Her sister shook her head, "No, he didn't have to attack. Believe me, they were just there."

"And what about the gunshots?"

"Whoever it was, was someone who coincidentally happened to be there on the right time and place. You're just overthinking it."

Artemis's words didn't convince Regan a bit. She was still suspicious of what happened. The three sat in silence for a while, listening to the rain and watching the fire dance. Finally, Artemis said, "I'm sorry for leaving you alone. You know how it is," her eyes searching Regan's for understanding.

Regan's expression turned thoughtful and confused, "Do you have magical powers?" she asked. She wanted to question her about the eternal ember as well. But the servant was just there and she couldn't ask even the simplest thing.

"Yes, I have. I can control wind and have telekinetic abilities," Artemis answered.

"How come you didn't use them back there on these monsters?" Regan asked, looking at her with a confused face.

Artemis sighed, "Well, it's complicated. Powers need power. These days they've been a bit drained."

The servant was hearing their conversation, and Regan wanted to ask her sister what she really needed to ask. However, she couldn't do it when the servant was just there.

Outside, the storm raged on, howling as if it would tear the world apart. The wind picked up, sending leaves and twigs flying through the air. The rain poured down harder, making the already swollen river threaten to overflow its banks. It was such a rainstorm that the thunder seemed to strike just outside that primitive door.

However, it was warmer and cosier inside the hut, despite Artemis and the servant's complaints.

Regan on the other hand didn't care as much as she cared to dry fast. She leaned on the chair and put her knees on her chest, removing her boots to dry them by the fire. She felt warm and relaxed in spite of the storm outside.

"What's your name?" Regan asked the servant, who had been looking at her for a while.

"My name is Liv, my lady," the servant answered with a courtesy.

"Liv like Olivia," Regan muttered under her breath, remembering that girl from her school, "Is it just Liv?"

The servant looked at her and Artemis with a questioning gaze, "Yes?

"So....Liv, do you think Sirius is involved in our attack?" Regan asked, her curiosity getting the best of her, and she narrowed her eyes at the servant. 

Liv looked at her lady again, fearing what she should say in response. "I-I...I don't know, my l-lady. I-I mean, I can't be sure, but I don't think h-he does," she stuttered, darting her eyes around the cabin.

Regan nodded, still skeptical from the servant's answer. She glanced at Artemis, who seemed to be deep in thought. The wind howled outside, making the hut creak and groan. Regan tried to look unfazed, but she was scared. What if the hut collapsed from the storm? The raindrops were heavy and dense and they made such a sound against the hut's surface, as if they were slapping it to fall.

Liv shifted uncomfortably in her seat, watching the two women carefully.

"That damn storm seems like eternity." Regan said in frustration, "Maybe he cursed the place or something. I haven't seen any storm in this place before."

"No, it just happens," Artemis sighed, "It's natural."

"He wants to make a damn point that it's difficult to survive in the wild," Regan muttered under her breath. She yawned and realized it was darkening outside, "Where will we go at night?"

"We are less distinctive at night. But it's just more difficult to navigate," Liv said quietly.

"Liv is right," Artemis said, standing up to check through the small window. "We ain't going anywhere through that night. And we're tired. We'll leave in the morning."

"So we're going to sleep here?" Regan asked again, feeling left out of their plans.

"Yes, and tomorrow, we leave."

"Leave for where?"

Artemis sighed, "For the city."

Regan was puzzled, but she didn't want to ask anymore. Liv's gaze was haunting and she could feel the servant wasn't as innocent as she looked. She thought to ask her instead.

"Where does she live?" she whispered.

"In another realm," Liv whispered back, "We're going to travel through interstellar travel."

Interstellar travel?

That sounded straight out of a sci-fi movie. And Regan couldn't help the rush of excitement at that sort of traveling.