Chapter 2 Shadows in the Forest

The forest north of Eldoria was not marked on most maps. It was a place of whispered warnings and old superstition-a place where the sun struggled to break through the dense canopy, where the wind carried secrets, and every rustle in the leaves could mean eyes watching.

To Kael, it was home.

He moved through the underbrush with the ease of someone who had lived more among trees than men. His slingshot hung from a loop on his belt, and in his hand was a small, carved bow no longer than his forearm. It wasn't much-but Kael had brought down boars with less.

This morning, hunger gnawed at his stomach. His traps had been empty for two days. His fingers were numb from the cold. He hadn't planned to come this far north, but something-some strange pull-had drawn him deeper into the forest than he'd ever gone before.

The birds were too quiet.

He crouched and waited.

There-a twitch of movement. A rabbit, golden-brown with wide ears and sharp eyes. It paused, nose twitching.

Kael aimed.

The arrow flew, striking the rabbit's hind leg. It cried out and bolted, but it didn't run in circles as usual. It darted toward a cluster of rocks partially hidden by a curtain of ivy.

Kael followed, cautious but focused. He pushed aside the ivy-and found a narrow entrance to a cave.

He blinked. The air around it felt... different. Cooler. Still.

Part of him hesitated. Caves meant bears. Or worse. But hunger, and curiosity, pushed him forward. Bow in hand, he crept inside.

It didn't take long before he forgot the rabbit altogether.

There, barely illuminated by the shaft of light breaking through a crack in the cave ceiling, was something he couldn't explain.

A girl.

No. The girl.

Princess Liora.

She was bound at the wrists and ankles, her mouth gagged, her gown torn and bloodied. Her eyes were closed-her face pale. At first Kael thought she might be dead. But then her chest rose with a shallow breath.

He stumbled back, hand clutching his chest.

What was she doing here? Why here, of all places?

Footsteps-no, voices-echoed faintly from deeper inside the cave. Kael froze. The sound of laughter, coarse and low. Male voices, moving away.

He had only minutes.

He rushed to her side, yanking the gag from her mouth.

Her eyes flew open-wild with fear. She thrashed before she registered him, then blinked rapidly, whispering, "Please... they'll be back."

"I know," Kael whispered. "I'm getting you out."

Her gaze flickered to his face. He was no knight. No sword. Just a boy, dressed in rags, with dirt-streaked hands and a leather pouch tied at his waist.

But in that moment, he was hope.

He worked quickly, untying her wrists and ankles. She winced as she tried to stand, nearly collapsing. Kael caught her.

"I'll carry you."

"You're just a boy."

He smirked. "And you're heavier than you look."

She almost smiled-but the voices were returning.

Kael hoisted her onto his back, her arms limp around his neck, and began the climb out. The passage was narrow, the incline steep. But he moved like a shadow, each step silent, each breath measured.

Behind them, the voices grew louder.

A shout.

A curse.

They'd been discovered.

Kael didn't look back. He broke through the ivy curtain and darted into the forest, weaving through trees like a hunted stag. Arrows thunked into bark behind him. The princess buried her face in his shoulder.

He didn't stop running until the forest thinned, until the sound of pursuit faded.

Only then did he collapse beside a stream, panting.

Princess Liora slid to the ground beside him. Her skin was cold, her breath shallow.

"You saved me," she whispered.

Kael looked at her and nodded. "I think... I was meant to."

By nightfall, the palace gates opened for the first time in weeks.

Kael stumbled through them, barefoot and bloody, carrying the Princess in his arms.

Guards rushed to intercept-then froze at the sight.

Trumpets blared. Bells rang across Eldoria.

The lost had returned.

The orphan had become legend.

And the kingdom would never be the same again.