In the Woods
Heloise and Ghal rode swiftly through the zigzag forest paths, their horses' hooves pounding against the earth. The sun projected dotted shadows through the dense canopy above as they made their way deeper into the woods. Heloise couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over him since leaving the castle. It was as if the very trees themselves were watching them with silent suspicion.
As they traveled, Ghal regaled Heloise with tales of legendary archers who roamed these woods, skilled marksmen known to test their mettle against any who dared to trespass upon their domain. Heloise listened intently, his senses heightened by the anticipation of what lay ahead.
Suddenly, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the twang of a bowstring and the whistle of an arrow slicing through the air. Before they could react, a figure emerged from the underbrush, clad in the gear of a skilled hunter, bow at the ready."
Halt! Who dares to intrude upon my territory?" the figure demanded, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Heloise recognized the voice as belonging to none other than the renowned archer, Theron, whose reputation preceded him."
We mean no harm, good sir," Heloise called out, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "We are messengers of King Darius, bearing news of his daughter's upcoming wedding. We seek only to pass through these woods in peace."
Theron regarded them with a steely gaze, his bow still trained on them. "King Darius, you say? I care not for the affairs of kings and their kin. These woods are my home, and I will defend them from all who would trespass."
Before Heloise could respond, Ghal stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. "Please, sir archer, we mean you no harm. We only seek to carry out our king's orders and spread the news of the wedding. If you allow us safe passage, we will trouble you no further."
Theron hesitated, his gaze flickering between the two men before finally lowering his bow. "Very well," he conceded, stepping aside to allow them to pass. "But beware, travelers. Not all who wander these woods are as forgiving as I."
With a nod of thanks, Heloise and Ghal urged their horses forward, leaving Theron and the shadows of the forest behind them.
...to be continued
As they traveled, Ghal regaled Heloise with tales of legendary archers who roamed these woods, skilled marksmen known to test their mettle against any who dared to trespass upon their domain. Heloise listened intently, his senses heightened by the anticipation of what lay ahead.
Suddenly, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the twang of a bowstring and the whistle of an arrow slicing through the air. Before they could react, a figure emerged from the underbrush, clad in the gear of a skilled hunter, bow at the ready."
Halt! Who dares to intrude upon my territory?" the figure demanded, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Heloise recognized the voice as belonging to none other than the renowned archer, Theron, whose reputation preceded him."
We mean no harm, good sir," Heloise called out, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "We are messengers of King Darius, bearing news of his daughter's upcoming wedding. We seek only to pass through these woods in peace."
Theron regarded them with a steely gaze, his bow still trained on them. "King Darius, you say? I care not for the affairs of kings and their kin. These woods are my home, and I will defend them from all who would trespass."
Before Heloise could respond, Ghal stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. "Please, sir archer, we mean you no harm. We only seek to carry out our king's orders and spread the news of the wedding. If you allow us safe passage, we will trouble you no further."
Theron hesitated, his gaze flickering between the two men before finally lowering his bow. "Very well," he conceded, stepping aside to allow them to pass. "But beware, travelers. Not all who wander these woods are as forgiving as I."
With a nod of thanks, Heloise and Ghal urged their horses forward, leaving Theron and the shadows of the forest behind them.
...to be continued