A flight from darkness 2

"Ahhhh!" Mira groaned softly as she slowly awoke, her head throbbing in pain. She was lying on the cold floor of a strange room, the familiar comfort of her surroundings nowhere to be found. "My head hurts so badly... and I'm starving," she muttered, her voice groggy with sleep. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her vision blurry at first. When it cleared, she could make out the dimly lit room around her. She saw animal skins covering furniture, and the scent of wood smoke and herbs filled the air. On the walls, deer heads were mounted, their empty eyes seeming to watch her. The whole place had an eerie but oddly comforting atmosphere.

Mira pushed herself up from the floor with difficulty, wincing at the pain in her head. She stood shakily and surveyed the room, her eyes darting over everything with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. The fire crackled softly in the corner, casting shadows that danced across the walls. Everything seemed strange but oddly familiar, like a forgotten memory.

As she took in her surroundings, a wave of panic suddenly washed over her. She looked around frantically, searching for the prince. He wasn't here. Where was he? Her heart raced, and her mind scrambled. The last thing she remembered was fleeing into the forest, but everything after that was a blur. She hurriedly ran to the door, her pulse pounding in her ears. As she stepped outside into the cool morning air, she looked around, hoping to find some sign of him.

To her relief, there he was. The old man was sitting on a wooden bench by the stream, his back to her. In his arms was the baby prince, sleeping soundly, wrapped in a warm blanket. Mira's breath caught in her throat, and a deep sigh of relief escaped her lips. She rushed over to them, her heart finally starting to calm.

"Oh, you're awake," the old man said, turning toward her as he noticed her approach. His weathered face creased into a soft smile. "Go inside. I left some beef and bread for you. I thought you might be hungry. Don't worry about the baby. I gave him some milk and herbs to put him to sleep. He's a strong child."

Mira nodded gratefully, her stomach growling at the thought of food. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft with appreciation. She went back into the small house and found the food waiting for her on the table. The old man had prepared enough for her to eat her fill, and despite everything that had happened, the warmth of the meal comforted her. After she finished eating, she felt her strength return, though her mind was still clouded with questions.

The peacefulness of the stream called to her, and after finishing her meal, she decided to bathe in the cool waters. It was a small, quiet moment, but one that gave her a sense of calm she hadn't felt in days. The water washed away the grime of the journey, and as she sat by the bank afterward, she tried to collect her thoughts.

"What happened in that forest?" she wondered aloud. Her brows furrowed as she stared into the distance, the memories still foggy. "I can't remember anything clearly. All I know is that Andras killed the king, and I ran. But after that, everything is a blur."

The voices of the fallen guards echoed in her mind, their screams forever etched into her memory. She couldn't remember how she had escaped, nor the mysterious tree that had seemed so important in her vision. All she could recall was the dark, foreboding atmosphere of the forest and the desperate need to survive. At least she and the prince had been spared, but they weren't safe yet. Andras was still out there, and she could feel the weight of his pursuit hanging over them.

---

Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Fenalore, Andras, now crowned king, sat in his throne room, his fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest. The guards he had sent to retrieve Mira had not returned, and he was starting to grow anxious. His newfound position of power was supposed to bring him control, but it seemed like things were slipping out of his grasp. The failure to secure Mira worried him. She had to be stopped before she could reveal the secrets he had worked so hard to bury.

Andras's thoughts were consumed by his plans. He suspected Mira had made her way to the Kingdom of Caldrith, a kingdom that could expose the truth about him. He could not allow that to happen. Caldrith had always been a thorn in Fenalore's side, and now, it seemed, they had struck first. His anger flared as he realized that war was unavoidable. He stood before his council, his eyes cold with determination.

"I believe this attack was orchestrated by Caldrith," Andras spoke, his voice steady but filled with authority. "They've made their move. I suspect Mira is there now, hiding, waiting to expose everything I've worked for. But I will not let them succeed."

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the new king. The elders, some of whom had served under his father, exchanged uneasy glances. Andras continued, his voice growing colder with each word.

"They've gone too far," he declared. "I want to wipe them off the map. No mercy. I want every last one of them destroyed."

One of the councilmen stood, his fists clenched in outrage. "We should march into their city and bring them down, before they can strike again. This madness cannot be allowed to continue!"

Another councilman spoke more cautiously. "We cannot rush into war without considering the consequences. Fenalore is not prepared for an all-out conflict with Caldrith. The risks are too high."

But Andras was resolute. "I'll lead the charge myself," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. "I will not wait. We leave now. Prepare 6,000 soldiers. We march to Caldrith. And when we arrive, we will show them what it means to challenge Fenalore."

He dismissed the council, his mind already calculating the moves he would make. The drums of war had already begun to beat in his mind, and he was prepared to lead his soldiers into the fray.

---

Back at the old man's cottage, Mira sat by the fire, the warmth of the flames flickering in her tired eyes. The old man, having finished his chores, entered the room and sat down across from her, his face full of quiet concern.

"What were you doing by the river, child?" he asked, his tone soft but stern. "You know it's a dangerous place. You're lucky to be alive."

Mira sighed deeply, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of everything. "I was in trouble," she said softly. "I had nowhere else to go. I've lived near that forest for years, but I didn't know it was cursed... How did you find me?"

The old man chuckled softly. "I'm not one for city life," he explained. "I go into the forest often to gather wood. It's where I find peace. The city is... unfair. Everything is too controlled, too harsh. Out here, I can live as I please."

Mira looked up at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She knew she was lucky to have found him, and part of her believed that he might be sent by some divine force to help her in her time of need. "Please... can I stay here?" she asked, her voice trembling with desperation. She fell to her knees, unable to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. "I have nothing left. I... I don't know where else to go."

The old man's expression softened, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to beg, my dear. You and the child can stay. There's more than enough food here for us both. This place is a sanctuary now, and you're welcome here."

Mira's eyes filled with relief, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to feel safe. But deep down, she knew their troubles weren't over. Andras was still out there, and the storm he would bring with him was coming closer every day.