[color=gray] [center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/LRaED7R.jpg[/img] [color=white][h1][b][u]Spells in the Dark[/u] Tera Valenci[/b][/h1][/color] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xbvqsnOD-k][Ambient Sound][/url] [/center] [color=white](Interaction with [@Celsius])[/color] A fortnight on the road. A fortnight of living in a carriage. A fortnight of being constantly guarded and not being able to simply wander her own countryside. If the princess didn't have such an important mission, she would have been complaining by now. The carriage wheels creaked and rocked as it was pulled along the muddy road. The recent rainfall had turned the once sturdy path into a mire. Progress had been slowed to a crawl. They were supposed to be a day's travel to Seren's Folly, but with the roads in the condition they were in, it'd be two days and an overnight stay at Goldencrest. Terra just wanted to reach her destination, but she understood that the horses need water and rest, and her retinue needed warmth and food after trekking through the downpour. The wind blew hard in the mountains. The rocky slopes and tall trees caused the wind to whistle through the passes and batter along the side of the decorated carriage. The lantern hanging from the ceiling swung, causing dark shadows to cast and unevenly light the small home on wheels. The princess could hear a bell ringing in the distance, the Goldencrest chapel announcing her arrival no doubt. Tera peeked past the curtains to look outside. The thick fog limited how far she could see. Silhouettes of leafless trees whipped and cracked in the fog. Dark figures could be seen flapping around the trees, a murder of crows. The sight unsettled Tera, but she wasn't about to show it. The scene was more suited to terrifying small children, not the future queen on a kingdom. Tera took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. [color=gold][b]"When will we be reaching Goldencrest, Tallia?"[/b][/color] she asked. The huntress sitting across from her took her eyes away from the window. She smiled at Tera, [color=white][b]"Judging by the sound of that bell, I'd say in just a few minutes."[/b][/color] Tera nodded and wrapped herself in a blanket. She let out another sigh. Tallia raised a brow, [color=white][b]"Are you cold?"[/b][/color] Tera shook her head. Tallia watched her for a moment longer. She saw the princess glance toward the window and quickly look away. Tallia chuckled, [color=white][b]"Worry not, princess. If there were witches prowling in the fog, they'd be foolish to attack. You have the kingdom's finest hunters and huntresses escorting you."[/b][/color] Tera bit on her lip. She didn't want Tallia to see that she was nervous. Then again, if anybody was going to read her like a book, it'd be the huntress that protected her since she was a baby. [color=gold][b]"Are the stories true? About Seren's Folly? About dark rituals and evil spirits roaming the wilds?"[/b][/color] Tallia glanced back out the window, [color=white][b]"I've only heard rumors. But such things are not impossible. Where I am from, cursed lands are all too common."[/b][/color] Tera blinked, [color=gold][b]"I've known you my whole life, and not once have you ever told me about your home."[/b][/color] Tallia nodded, but remained silent. She let out a long breath and glanced sidelong toward the princess, [color=white][b]"It's not the same as this kingdom. My homeland's culture alone would face prosecution here. It's not something that should be talked about in the company we are sharing."[/b][/color] The princess tilted her head and clutched her blanket, [color=gold][b]"Not even to me?"[/b][/color] Tallia sighed, [color=white][b]"I think it'd be fitting to talk about it when we reach Castle Bloodro-"[/b][/color] The huntress was cut off by a sudden jerk of the carriage. Men called out to one another outside. Tallia stood and opened the door, [color=white][b]"Tristan, what's the hold up?"[/b][/color] Tera paid close attention as Tristan spoke. [color=white][i]"It's Goldencrest, Tallia. Well... It was."[/i][/color] Tallia kept her head out of the carriage door for a brief moment. When she stepped back inside, she looked to Tera, [color=white][b]"Something is wrong."[/b][/color] Tera's face went pale, [color=gold][b]"What do you mean?"[/b][/color] [color=white][b]"Goldencrest is in ruins... Do you have your sword, your highness?"[/b][/color] Tallia asked, her voice harder than before. Tera nodded and reached to the other side of her bed. She pulled an ornate shortsword and its scabbard from a small drawer. Tallia nodded to her, [color=white][b]"I'm sure whatever did this is long gone, but just to be safe... Put on your breastplate and stay in the carriage."[/b][/color] The princess grabbed a hold of her breastplate and started strapping it to herself. It was small and fitted to her size. While the breastplate would protect from a blow to the torso, it wouldn't do much else. But that was why she had her retinue of bodyguards with her. Tera tucked her amulet underneath her tunic, and threw a cloak over herself. Tallia made sure she was properly armed and armored before stepping out of the carriage. Tera reached out to hold her by the shoulder, [color=gold][b]"We should keep going. I don't want to be here alone, Tallia..."[/b][/color] Tallia placed her hand over Tera's and smiled, [color=white][b]"We'll be fine, Tera. Once the horses are rested, we'll push on through to Seren's Folly. For now... The best we can do is be on our guard."[/b][/color] Tallia exited the carriage. Tera could hear her bodyguard give an order, [color=white][b]"Spread out. Look for survivors. You two, search for a secure place to rest for the night. I need three people on the carriage."[/b][/color] Her footsteps in the mud became quieter and quieter as she stepped away from the carriage. Tera was completely silent inside. She clutched the handle of her shortsword in one hand, and her scabbard in the other. Her knuckles were white as she tightened her grip. Tera darted her eyes from the door to the window, and back to the door again. The silence was getting to her, were there still people outside? When a heavier gust of wind smacked against the carriage and rocked it with a loud whistle, Tera yelped and burst into action. She climbed off of her bed and swung open the door, nearly taking out on of the huntsman Tallia has ordered to guard the carriage. He fumbled with his bow and took a moment to collect himself from the sudden emergence of the princess. [color=white][i]"Ah, er- Your highness! Is everything okay?"[/i][/color] Terra let out a long sigh and nodded, [color=gold][b]"Y- yes... I was just getting a little er... Claustrophobic in there."[/b][/color] Another gust of wind lashed over the town, causing the large church bell to swing and toll. The loud brass [i]pang[/i] of the bell caused everybody to stiffen. Tera clenched her teeth and let out a long sigh. Her hand remained locked to the hilt of her short sword. The huntsman with the bow noticed her knuckles were white. [color=white][i]"My lady? Please try and relax. It brings comfort to the others when you are calm."[/i][/color] Tera smiled at the hunter and nodded, easing her grip from her hilt. She let out a long, uneasy breath, and looked around. [color=gold][b]"Where's Tallia, Dale?"[/b][/color] The bowman pointed to the burnt out longhouse with a ruined sign reading 'Tavern' on it. [color=white][i]"She and some of the others are in there. Shall I go fetch her, princess?"[/i][/color] Tera shook her head. She knew how disappointed Tallia would be if she saw her out of the carriage and wandering the ruins. Tera finally took the time to take in her surroundings. It was then that Tera realized the gravity of the situation. Everything was burned, and there weren't even bodies. Stranger yet, there was a distinct lack of crows actually in the town's vicinity. She could hear them cawing, but all of them were perched on branches surrounding the place. In every direction. What was stopping them from searching village for carrion? A chill ran up Tera's spine as the wind caused the church bell to toll again. [color=gold][b]"Dale, can you call for Father Wyn? I-... I wish to pray in the church..."[/b][/color] Tera couldn't shake the feeling that something unholy had happened here... Or rather, was [b]happening[/b] at that very moment. The hunter looked back to the princess, [color=white][i]"At once, your highness."[/i][/color] He nodded to one of the other hunters assigned to the carriage to relay Tera's order. Wyn was a holy man, a priest devoted to the Divine who hunted witches and monsters as a test of faith. He was older than the rest, and had served as the king's War Priest in trying times. When Wyn arrived, he placed a hand on Tera's shoulder, [color=white][i]"Come, your highness. The church may be in a sorry state, but it will always bask in the Divine Light. We can pray there."[/i][/color] Tera nodded and moved along with Wyn. Dale and the other hunter flanked her on either end as they headed for the chapel. The priest took the lead when they neared the door. He held a hand out and closed his eyes, [color=white][i]"We're in luck. It seems the church's consecrations are still present despite the damage."[/i][/color] Wyn placed his hands on the one good side of the double door, and pushed. The door swung open with a loud creak. Tera could immediately feel the warm of the church wash over her. It was a relief. But before she could step inside, she felt Dale place a hanf on her, and pull her behind him. He nocked an arrow in his bow and drew, [color=white][i]"You there!"[/i][/color] he called out. Tera blinked and let her eyes adjust to the poorly lit church. That was when she saw the silhouette of a man. She gasped and clutched the hilt of her blade again. Father Wyn calmly reached over and pulled the hood of Tera's cloak over her head. The other hunter drew a blade and stood next to Dale. The archer kept his arrow trained on the man, [color=white][i]"Are you the one behind this treachery? Speak before I put an arrow between your eyes!"[/i][/color] [/color]