Read Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past Page 7

  Chapter Six

  The Forbidden Forest

 

  Groggy and bleary, I woke with sunlight beaming in on my face. In a daze and uncertain where I lay, I sprang up on a bed within a room I did not know. The bed sat upon a post, rusted and worn. The windows opened, for there was no covering. Looking down, the floor was dirt. Easing off the bed, I walk cautiously toward the door while the dust encircled me.

  Confusion rang around me, for I knew not where I was. Slowly, I began to remember, terrifying, frightening remembrances…the creature reaching forth toward me. Cono had appeared...his sword in his hand. I blasted the creature. I had, hadn't I? Had I not seen Cono thrust his sword into the creature? The cry emerged. Yes, I was certain he had done so.

  But where was I? Where was everyone? It seemed only a simple cottage. Glancing around my surroundings, it had only one room as far as I could tell. There stood a doorway open, but I saw no door to close. At the far end sat a simple stone hearth and a wobbly table. Was I still within a dream? No, this was no dream, I feared. I flinched. Was that a cry? I swore I heard a slight whimpering noise. I eased consciously toward it.

  The sun blared harshly into my eyes when I exited. I squinted. The air was very bright and the sky clear. Within the distance, I could hear songs of the larks. The yard was long, bordered against a foreboding line of trees. Across from the small cottage sat a quaint shelter. I glanced around. I could still hear the sound. It became clearer. Someone was crying.

  I turned the corner of the cottage. Sitting against the wall, Gunilda held her head within her knees. She wept.

  Leaning down, I brought my nurse within my arms. "What is wrong, Gunilda? Where are we? Where is everyone?"

  "Kela, what have you done? Why have we been banished here?" Gunilda wailed, but she didn’t lift her head.

  "Gunilda, I know not of what you speak. The last I remember is using my shield to help save the king. Surely he could not be angry with me about such?"

  "Kela, I think not. All would have never reacted in their way if such. The Royal Wings dragged me from my bed. You lay motionless while they flew us within here. I didn't even get to say farewell to Sareta. The poor child knows not where I went. She must be frantic without me!"

  "What of us?" I cried, suddenly overwrought. I stood and turned around, glancing one way and then another. "Where are we, Gunilda? Can we leave? Where is Falco? Turstan would never leave us such."

  “This, I was told, is the Forbidden Forest." Gunilda looked up at me. "It is our prison."

  The cottage sat in a clearing at the bottom of a hill on the northern side of the Preda Mountain Range in the midst of a thick forest. A narrow lane led to a tapered gate in a thick hedge, which gave way to the entrance of the house. Nothing of the house could be seen from within the forest until one came upon in for it stood back…alone. To the east a winding stream bordered the back of the house, surrounded by ancient oak trees. The only access lay from the sky, which I soon comprehended was the intention of King Edulf.

  Gunilda's words echoed within me. "There were only two. The one that had hold of me - I thought for sure he was to drop me. I believe it was his intent. We flew for hours on end. I know not exactly how long. We landed in the dark, except with only the moon's reflection to guide. They said not a word. I begged them of what had happened. They gave no answer. All they uttered that it was as a prison with no method of escape except from the sky. And we would not be able to do so.

  "‘Do not venture into the forest, for they are guarded by lost souls. No one has ever returned once they have entered.’ One laughed.

  "I pleaded what had you done! Then the one that laid you upon the filth of the bed turned to me.

  "‘I know not, but I know of none other the king's wrath has been so punished. I know we have been ordered to forget we brought you forth. May the Great One look over you both. You will need such!’"

  Gunilda uttered the words, hung her head, and wept.