Chapter 25: The Journey North

The morning mist hung low over Moonhaven.

The village was unusually quiet.

Word had spread that Princess Lyra would soon leave for the Frost Court.

Some villagers smiled with hope.

Others feared she might never return.

Lyra stood outside her cottage, gazing at the mountains in the distance.

The journey ahead would take weeks.

Beyond those peaks lay answers about her family…

And perhaps, the truth about herself.

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened.

An elderly woman stepped inside carrying a neatly folded cloak.

It was Martha.

“I made this for you.”

Lyra unfolded it carefully.

It was a midnight-blue traveling cloak lined with soft white fur. Embroidered onto the back was a silver crescent moon surrounded by delicate flowers.

“It’s beautiful.”

Martha smiled warmly.

“Every traveler deserves something that reminds them they have a home to return to.”

Lyra hugged the older woman tightly.

“Thank you.”

Outside…

Karl supervised his warriors as they packed supplies.

Extra horses.

Medicine.

Food.

Weapons.

Damien raised an eyebrow.

“You packed enough supplies for an army.”

Karl didn’t stop working.

“We don’t know what we’ll face.”

Damien smirked.

“You mean you don’t want Lyra to go hungry.”

Karl sighed.

“I walked into that one.”

Across the village…

Arnold sharpened his sword beneath an ancient oak.

Lucien approached, carrying an old leather map.

“The safest road north is gone.”

Arnold frowned.

“What happened?”

Lucien spread the map across a wooden table.

A thick black line crossed the mountain pass.

“The Blood Hunters destroyed the bridge years ago.”

“So?”

“We’ll have to pass through Ravenwood Forest.”

Arnold’s expression immediately darkened.

“That’s dangerous.”

Lucien nodded.

“It isn’t the forest I’m worried about.”

He pointed to an abandoned fortress marked on the map.

“The Black Hollow.”

Arnold looked up.

“I thought it was abandoned.”

“So did everyone else.”

Lucien folded the map.

“My scouts reported movement there two days ago.”

Inside her chambers…

Selena stood before a mirror.

Her reflection smiled back at her.

She slowly opened a small wooden box resting on the table.

Inside lay a tiny black crystal.

The same kind Malrik had used.

She gently picked it up.

“I only need one chance.”

A soft voice echoed from the shadows.

“And what will you ask in return?”

Selena spun around.

A hooded woman stepped into the candlelight.

Her eyes glowed an unnatural violet.

Selena swallowed.

“I want Lyra gone.”

The mysterious woman smiled.

“The Shadow King enjoys granting wishes.”

“But every bargain…”

She stepped closer.

“…has a price.”

Selena didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll pay it.”

The woman extended her hand.

The crystal glowed crimson.

Their agreement was sealed.

Neither woman noticed the dark mark spreading across Selena’s wrist.

Later that afternoon…

The entire village gathered near Moonhaven’s northern gate.

Children handed Lyra bundles of dried flowers for good luck.

The village blacksmith presented Karl with a newly forged silver sword.

“For the road ahead.”

Karl accepted it gratefully.

“Thank you.”

Arnold mounted his horse.

Lucien checked the map one last time.

Damien counted the warriors.

“Twenty.”

Karl nodded.

“Enough to protect the convoy.”

Lyra climbed onto her horse and looked back at Moonhaven.

She never imagined a place she had known for only a short time could feel like home.

Martha waved through tears.

“Come back safely.”

“I will.”

Lyra smiled.

“I promise.”

The gates slowly opened.

The travelers began riding north.

Hours later…

The peaceful roads gave way to dense woodland.

Towering trees blocked much of the sunlight.

The forest felt unnaturally still.

No birds sang.

No insects buzzed.

Only the sound of horses’ hooves echoed through the silence.

Lucien suddenly raised his hand.

“Stop.”

Everyone halted.

Karl scanned the trees.

“What is it?”

Lucien dismounted and knelt beside the trail.

There were fresh footprints in the mud.

Too large to belong to a wolf.

Too deep to belong to a human.

Arnold joined him.

“How old?”

“Less than an hour.”

Karl’s wolf growled inside him.

We’re being watched.

Lyra felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

She looked into the forest.

The shadows seemed to move.

Then…

A twig snapped.

Every warrior drew a weapon.

Silence.

Another snap.

Suddenly, an arrow shot out from the trees.

Karl knocked it aside with his sword.

“Ambush!” Damien shouted.

Dozens of cloaked figures burst from the undergrowth, surrounding the convoy.

But these weren’t Blood Hunters.

Their armor was dark green.

Each carried a curved bow marked with a silver raven.

One rider slowly emerged from behind them.

He removed his hood.

A young man with shoulder-length black hair and sharp amber eyes looked directly at Lyra.

He smiled politely and lowered his weapon.

“My apologies for the dramatic welcome.”

“My name is Rowan Ashvale.”

He bowed from his horse.

“I serve the Frost King.”

“And I’ve been sent…”

“…to escort the Princess safely to Frostfall Palace.”

Lucien narrowed his eyes.

“If that’s true…”

He rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.

“…why were your archers aiming at us?”

Rowan’s smile faded.

“Because…”

He turned slowly toward the forest behind the convoy.

“…they weren’t aiming at you.”

A deafening howl echoed through Ravenwood.

One.

Then another.

Then dozens more.

The trees shook violently.

Something enormous was coming.