Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
A tremor passed through her.
Dravic immediately noticed. His arm tightened around her waist. He leaned closer, his mouth moving as he spoke.
She saw the concern in his eyes, but she could not hear him.
Not him. Only the whisper of the world around them.
Dravic studied her face, his concern deepening. “Adira?”
His voice was gentle, though she did not hear it.
He shifted his arm around her, pulling the cloak tighter around them. His eyes searched her face for any sign of what troubled her.
“Are you cold?”
Adira stared at him. She saw the question in his eyes, the slight furrow of his brow, the way his arm rested protectively around her. She saw and felt his concern.
But behind him… the wind whispered again.
Her gaze drifted past him toward the trees.
Dravic followed her gaze. “What is it?”
Before she could answer—even if she could have—Cadby called out.
“My king!”
Dravic immediately turned.
Four riders approached quickly through the snow-covered ground, their horses moving at a determined pace. He recognized the colors before he recognized the men.
His guards.
Dravic brought his stallion to a halt.
When the riders reached them, one dismounted and hurried forward, bowing.
“My king, Percy found us and it did not take long to find your trail and get to you.”
Dravic gave a brief nod. “And Percy?”
“He went after the Hunters as ordered.” The guard paused briefly. “My king…”
Dravic scowled at his slight hesitation. “Say what you will.”
The man lowered his voice. “You have crossed the border…”
“Do not hesitate again,” Dravic snapped.
The guard didn’t. “You have crossed into Driochmor.”
The other guards exchanged uneasy glances.
Dravic’s gaze shifted to Hollis on his horse next to Cadby.
Hollis had grown quiet, his attention moving between the king and the forest surrounding them.
Dravic studied him. “Is this true?”
Hollis hesitated only a moment before giving a slow nod. “Aye, my king.”
Dravic looked ahead.
The trees stretched endlessly before them, their branches heavy with snow. Nothing about the land appeared threatening. Nothing revealed the danger his grandfather had warned him of all his life.
Yet the unease among his men was unmistakable.
“Remain alert,” Dravic commanded.
The guards immediately straightened.
“Watch the trees and the path. Do not assume anything is as it appears.”
“Aye, my king,” they answered.
Dravic turned back to Hollis. “Fail to keep me informed again and you will suffer for it. Now, lead us to Ernach.”
The old man bowed his head. “Aye, my king.”
He guided his horse ahead of the others and proceeded deeper into the forest.
Dravic followed, Adira secure against him, his attention fixed on the land around them.
He searched for something. Anything. Any sign that this place was different. Any reminder of the danger his grandfather had spoken of.
But there was nothing.
The snow-covered hills were beautiful. The trees stood tall and ancient. The air was crisp and clean. It looked no different from any other forest in Scotara.
Dravic almost found that more unsettling.
What had he expected? Darkness creeping between the trees? Some visible mark that declared this was the forbidden land his grandfather had warned him never to enter?
His grandfather had spoken of Driochmor as a place of danger and hidden power, yet nothing before him matched those warnings.
Somewhere ahead was the man who might hold the answers to questions that had recently came to light. Questions he needed answered, though he was concerned about what answers he may find.
But did he trust the man his grandfather claimed had betrayed him? A man who should have been dead.
Dravic’s grip tightened slightly around the reins.
The path narrowed as they continued deeper into the forest, winding between towering trees whose branches stretched overhead like ancient guardians. Hollis led them without hesitation, though more than once he glanced back toward the king and his guards as if still unable to believe who followed behind him.
It was not long before the trees began to thin.
Beyond them, tucked between snow-covered hills, lay a small village. Smoke curled from chimneys, rising lazily into the cold air. Stone cottages stood close together, their roofs heavy with snow, and a few villagers moved between them carrying baskets and bundles of wood.
The moment they spotted the riders approaching, movement slowed, and then stopped.
The villagers gathered quietly, their curiosity growing as they studied the strangers who had entered their home.
Dravic knew they had no idea who he was, but they knew enough to understand the man seated upon the powerful black stallion was someone of importance. His finely made garments, the sword at his side, and the guards who surrounded him spoke clearly of rank and authority.
A man stepped forward from the crowd.
He was not old, though the responsibility he carried showed in the steadiness of his gaze and his manner held the confidence of someone accustomed to making decisions for those who depended on him.
“Welcome to Purrock. I am Vachel, leader of this village.” His gaze shifted to the man who had led them there. “Hollis. It is good to see you.”