31 A Step Closer

We waited and watched the knights scurry off to find me, and we couldn't leave until they went away. They took a couple of minutes planning how to inform Rhys about the missing Rose Ann. We tried to hide our laughter from their idiocy, but they took a while to leave, which agitated us.

After about minutes of waiting, they left, and we rushed out of our hiding area and into the woods.

The weak, limping branches of trees and the overgrown bushes of leaves scratches and tickles my delicate skin as we dash in. The unending crunch coming from every step I take satisfies my ears as we get further in the woods.

The hovering trees block the brimming sun, but not everything, as rays of light, passes through every opening from the branches creating tiny multiple spotlights.

Anyone would perceive the woods as a scary place, and it is. However, the Kingsto woods is everything, and that includes the word enchanting. It is the most serene, brightest, and purest woodland I know. That I can safely say, it's the opposite of terrifying.

"How far is this village? Will I be able to get back to the castle before the sun goes down?" I queried, trying not to let the feeling of fear getting to me. I fear that Blossom would hate me for running away and that I'll end up homeless, alone in this place.

The thought made me frown, and Maru catches this, "Hey, don't worry, we'll get you back early and safe. If they don't allow you entry into the castle, we'll just say that we kidnapped you," she reassures me with a smile.

I'm stunned by her statement; as much as I dislike being in trouble, I don't want to bring others down with me. So I shake my head, "no, it's fine."

"Cheer up, Rose," Talus adds, who walks the opposite side of me, "we're nearing the village; it's just right there!" he points, and I follow where his rocky finger. Ahead of us is a plain, empty vast field. Like the place where we train archery, it's a circled field, except this land is wider.

We come to a stop, and I'm left confused, "here, are you sure?" I shoot them a puzzled look. Their faces turn red, and with a half-suppressed laugh, Talus confirms, "yes, it's right there, Rose."

I fold my arms while looking ahead intently, "no, I don't see it."

They immediately stop their amused laughter; I see Hestu's jaw drop. Whereas Aryll, on the other hand, scoffs, "obviously she doesn't see it, Aunt Hellen cast a spell on the village to hide it away from danger forming a barrier invisible to a stranger's eye," he pulls his sleeve up, revealing some type of tattoo in the shape of a moon, "only people with this mark can see the village."

"What?" I jump, startled by Talus' abrupt yelling, "I don't see mine; where is it?" panicking, he searches his arms.

"Idiot, your rough rock-like skin is hiding your mark, but it's there," Aryll shuts him up. Talus glare daggers at him, unappreciative of his harshness, "I knew that."

"Okay, I think that's enough. Thank you, Aryll, for that information, but would I be allowed inside?" I stare at him with worried eyes. What if I came all this way only to be forbidden to go in.

Aryll turns his eyes towards me; he holds this intimidatingly bored look on his face. If he weren't someone tiny wearing a cute hat, he'd be somewhat terrifying to be with.

"Yes, concealing the village with a protective barrier is enough to rid us of our abilities for a long time. We aren't powerful enough to eliminate intruders who step in," he explains.

Our heads snap toward Maru, whose eyes widen. Could it be possible that Maru didn't know about this? She's usually the one that knows it all.

"What, I didn't know all about it, so what can you guys do?" she huffs, and she crosses her arms, "let's just go, Rose will need to head back in about an hour," and with that, she leads us forward without muttering another word.

Birds chirping above us, the leaves smacking each other as the wind blows. Besides that, the atmosphere is silent, although it's calming. If you lay beside a tree and close your eyes just for a moment, you'll drift fast asleep.

Could this feeling be just because I feel the sudden exhaustion? When I thought that the creatures of Beorene were here to capture me, it took out most of my energy. I am truly helpless.

The closer we get to the field, the clearer I see it. When the light touches the barrier with the same texture as a bubble, it gives out a suspicious shine.

We proceeded without stopping; I intake a sharp breath when Maru disappears as soon as she steps inside the barrier. I'm hesitant to proceed, which is why I halted. The barrier indeed looks soft, like forcing yourself into an elastic transparent bubble. But what if it electrocutes anyone that dares enter without the given mark. Even though Aryll guaranteed that they don't have enough magic to harm intruders, I can help but shudder from the fear.

"Don't be afraid, Rose Ann; I promise you that it's safe. You can take my hand if you'd like," Pico sends me a comforting smile. I return him an even kinder smile but rejected his kind offer reassuring him that I'll be fine.

How embarrassing. Why do I have to act so fearful in front of tiny elves? They carry more courage than me which puts me to shame. I must get myself together and face anything without fear, like my mother.

I suddenly recall the dream about my mother, who had a man stalking her from the shadows. If I were in her position, I would have run away regardless of whoever it is. But she put on a brave face and stood her ground in front of that man.

"Are you coming?" I snapped away from my thoughts when Talus, who stands in between the barrier, cutting his form in half, calls out to me.

"Uh y-yes," I stutter with my words when I search around me for the elves, but they seem to have already gone inside the village.

I've come this far; Rhys may have gotten the news of my disappearance by now and be looking for me. I mustn't waste time. I need to see that elf who may know information about my mother has driven me eager to reach this village. Now, there's no turning back.

So with determined steps, I watch Talus disappear inside, and I follow behind him.