Chapter 3 : Unwelcoming woods

Chapter 3: The Unwelcoming Woods

As Tristan ventured deeper into the heart of Thornevale, he was greeted by the eerie silence of the surrounding woods. Towering trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches casting long shadows that danced in the fading light of dusk. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant rumble of thunder.

Undeterred by the foreboding atmosphere, Tristan pressed onward, his senses keen and his wits sharp. With each step he took, he felt the weight of his exile heavy upon his shoulders, a constant reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. Yet, beneath the surface, a spark of determination burned brightly within him, driving him forward in search of a new beginning.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest into darkness, Tristan's keen eyes caught sight of a flickering light in the distance—a beacon of warmth amidst the cold embrace of the wilderness. With renewed resolve, he quickened his pace, eager to find shelter before the night descended in earnest.

As he drew closer to the source of the light, Tristan found himself standing before a modest wooden cabin nestled amidst the trees. Smoke billowed from the chimney, curling upwards into the night sky like tendrils of ghostly mist. The sound of crackling flames filled the air, mingling with the chorus of nocturnal creatures that prowled in the shadows.

Approaching the cabin with caution, Tristan rapped lightly on the door, his heart pounding with anticipation. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a weathered man with a grizzled beard and piercing blue eyes.

"Who goes there?" the man asked, his voice rough with age and weariness.

"I am Tristan Asterian," Tristan replied, his voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at his gut. "I am new to Thornevale, seeking shelter for the night."

The man regarded Tristan with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the young noble before him. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped aside, gesturing for Tristan to enter.

"Come in, then," the man said gruffly. "But mind you, stranger, Thornevale is no place for the faint of heart. The woods hold secrets best left undisturbed, and the creatures that dwell within are not to be trifled with."

Tristan nodded solemnly, his gaze never wavering as he stepped across the threshold into the warmth of the cabin. As the door closed behind him, sealing him within the embrace of the wilderness, he knew that his journey had only just begun. And with each passing moment, he vowed to face whatever challenges awaited him with courage and determination, for he was Tristan Asterian, the Unblessed Lord of Thornevale, and nothing would stand in his way.