Prologue
The dead night makes her heart thunder as she rushes through the forest. The hood of her cloak is drawn up concealing her face, not that anyone can see her for the forest is pitch black. She cannot risk her fate. Her people are not kind to what they do not understand.
She leans against a tree to catch her breath. No one is chasing her but the forest does not welcome strangers either. It is the Kraachi forest after all. The mere mentioning of its name is enough to send a warrior on his heels. Rumors have it the quietness is not ordinary. It is an awareness that something dangerous always lurks around. Vicious and deadly creatures. No one encountered them lived to tell the tale. They all perished at the entrance. The darkness that hovers whether it’s day or night adds to its mystery.
A tickle on her finger startles her. Drawing her cloak tight, she begins to run. Her insides tremble at each stride. Fear prickles down her skin; this is a dangerous mission, yet she knows nothing can happen to her. She is confident but that doesn’t stop her stomach from churning each time an echo reaches her ear. A cry escapes her as a glowing pair of blue eyes shine through the darkness. She stills, her blood runs cold.
‘’They cannot hurt you, remember’’ she whispers to herself her breath steading. The blue eyes return to the darkness to her appreciation. She doesn’t wait, she sprints until she comes to a clearing.
Her labored breath makes her halt. A small hut lies before her eyes, isolated. The sun shines around the hut, the darkness prowling around makes it brighter. She walks out of the shadows into the scorching heat. She stops in front of the wooden door and taps three times. The door opens on its own with an eerie screech. The woman gulps as she steps through the threshold. Her hand flies to her chest when the door shuts. A lantern sits in the middle providing light. Nothing else is inside,
‘’Who dares to temper with death itself.’’ The deep voice catches her off guard. ‘’I…..’’
‘’Royal blood,’’ it interrupts. ‘’How did you pass the curse of Krachi? Wait I smell something strange. Something forbidden. Something that should never walk these very same grounds you step on according to your laws.’’
‘’I need your help,’’ the woman shouts casting her glance around but there is no one.
A deep laugh sounds, ‘’Yes you do, you are carrying a forbidden fruit, your kind fears what do not understand.’’
‘’Will you offer your help?’’
‘’What you are asking woman is beyond…’’
‘’I will put my neck on a guillotine if it pleases you,’’ she shouts,
‘’Interesting, but there are fates worse than death, woman, are you willing to pay the price?’’
‘’Yes,’’ her voice doesn’t sway,
The house shakes, and she leans against the wall until the tremors stop.
‘’Well, your wish is my command, woman.’’
