“I’m looking for answers deep in the forest,” she said at last.
“What sort of answers?”
Snow smiled at Annilen’s questions. “I’ll tell you when I return.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, if you make me a promise.”
“Anything!”
“Stay out of the village and don’t tell Yirrie where I’m going,” Snow said.
Her little brows drew together in question. “But why?”
Snow considered her words before answering finally. “Because it’s a secret mission. Can you keep a secret?”
Annilen gave a vigorous nod. “Yes!”
“Good. Then I’ll see you after.”
The little sprite took off, winging her way through the forest and disappearing out of sight. Snow resumed her trek, hoping her small friend would keep her promise.
Soon, she came to an overgrown path. At least, what appeared to be an overgrown path. She followed it through the forest, her booted steps surefooted. She was attuned to the forest around her, listening to all the creatures and inhabitants. It was a bright, cheerful morning for those in residence. The birds were singing. The squirrels were foraging. The tiny sprites were busy flittering from one flower to the next. Even the forest pixies were busy within their own little world. A few followed her from a distance. She sensed the curiosity and it made her smile.
It had been years since anyone had come to this side of the forest. She paused, reaching out to her surroundings to inquire about the cabin.
“Am I close?” She reached for the flask and took a long drink.
A vine extended itself upward and pointed northwest. She was still on the right path.
She made her way past overgrown underbrush, ducking under hanging limbs. She pushed aside another low hanging branch and took another step, then halted.
The cabin still stood, but it had been overgrown with vines and ivy. Years of neglect allowed nature to take over. The roof was caved in on one side, but the walls were still intact as far as she could see.
Here, the forest was silent, sending an eerie sensation over her skin. There were no twittering birds. Or animals rustling the underbrush. Not even a breeze fluttered past. Those who had followed her were now gone or at least keeping a large distance away from her. Faradill had warned her about the place, telling her it was where the dark wizard began and gave them life. Life that now continued to thrive throughout the Wyldwood.
But this place was different. It was almost as though there was still dark magic lingering here. She sensed a deep despair. Even the foliage was darker. Gloomier.
The urge to turn back swarmed through her. She ignored it, shoving her fear down deep. She came too far to turn back now and answers were within reach. That part of her was desperate for answers about the wizard and his mirrors.
With slow steps, she approached the cabin. Vines clung to the eaves, covering the door and windows. She pulled them away enough for her to shove open the door. It creaked, sliding across the floor with a loud scrape.
Stepping across the threshold, she paused to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim shadows and take it all in.
Faint shadows slashed across the rotting floor littered with leaves. Inside were more vines and ivy that had taken over. Remnants of broken furniture remained. The cabinets to the tiny kitchen stood open. One door hung by a broken hinge.
Taking a tentative step, she tested the floor to make sure it was sound. It creaked, but held her weight. She moved deeper into the cabin. To her left, a door stood open. She stepped into the entryway to peer inside.
A broken bed frame but no mattress was on one side. There was nothing else but dust. An overgrown tree blocked the one window with moth-eaten curtains.
She turned from the room and faced another door. This one closed. Purple flickering light glimmered around the edges.
Odd.
She stepped toward the door, reaching for the knob, her heart a wild beat. Pushing open the door, she sucked in a sharp breath at what she saw.
A bright purple ball of light spun in what appeared to be a hovering cloud within a silver cage. She halted, her heart in her throat as she stared at it trying to make sense of what it was. She remained rooted in the doorway, hesitant to step inside. A tingling sensation went over her. The same sensation she sensed when she stepped past the overhanging branches and found the cabin.
