Crown Of Hearts-Chapter 77: Thank you?

"Tomorrow, we will tour the city." Damon informed his guests once dinner was done and he left for his quarters shortly afterwards.

His huge bed felt particularly cold that night as he hugged a pillow to his chest and thought of Alexander.

He missed him terribly and Damon couldn’t help but hope that his fiance was alright.

.....

Alexander had been traveling for roughly two days.

He was exhausted as he fell back onto the relatively tidy bed in the room he had booked for the night, exhaling softly as his eyes met the blank ceiling.

Alexander had made a quick stop at his village to say farewell to his family before continuing further ahead to the village that hosted the entrance to the infamous dark forest.

The stories he had heard about the place were terrifying.

No one entered and came out using the same door.

Most never come out at all and Alexander’s heart raced as he lay his head on his pillow and closed his eyes.

He was scared but his quest was officially beginning the next day and he was determined to survive.

He had to save Damon.

The next morning, Alexander traveled light, only carrying supplies enough for two weeks, a small blanket and a makeshift tent.

Blood pumped through his veins at a faster rate from nervousness as he looked ahead into the poorly illuminated forest he was about to enter.

Aside from the dangers that the forest housed, the locals had given it’s name because it was hard to see where you were going once you entered.

The forest was mostly made up of abnormally tall trees whose large canopies made it difficult for the sun’s rays to completely reach the forest floor.

Alexander stood at the entrance that was not as dramatic as he had expected.

The door to the dark forest was a simple dome shaped arc that was made from entwining tree branches.

It was basic but not entirely natural. There was magic involved as well because he was certain that normal trees never grew that way.

"What brings you to the dark forest?" An old man emerged from the door and Alexander was spooked despite his calm expression as scrutinized the strange man that was dressed purely in black.

He was well beyond eighty years but the volume of grey hair on his head was huge and surprisingly looked well kept.

Alexander tried not to flinch when his eyes met the black irises of the stranger that was studying him as well.

This was no ordinary man.

"It’s personal business." Alexander’s voice was stern, not wishing to reveal his plans to anyone.

"A wizard..." The man mused and Alexander was getting more disturbed with every second he spent around this man.

"What are you, then?" Alexander asked and the old man was quiet for a long while.

"One of the forest guardians." He replied and Alexander nearly rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"I am not here to burn down your forest." Alexander murmured and he received an unsettling smile from the old man.

"Oh child, it’s not the forest I worried about." He chuckled and Alexander frowned slightly.

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He decided he had had enough of the cryptic old man as he looked past him and into the dark forest.

"My role is to inform all travelers that pass through of what dangers lay ahead so that they are less surprised if they happen to meet their deaths." The guardian’s voice brought Alexander’s attention back to him and the length of the scroll that had appeared from thin air and into his hand worried him.

He knew half of the creatures on the list but as he read further, the new names concerned him.

Alexander really hoped he didn’t run into a soul sucker as he folded the parchment and handed it back to the old man.

"Thank you?" His voice sounded awkward to his ears because he didn’t really know what to make of the guardian’s help.

Now, he had more creatures to worry about but a part of him was relieved that he couldn’t be taken by surprise.

"The copy is yours." The guardian stepped aside and without another word, Alexander stepped forward into the dark forest.

The door he had walked through rapidly closed behind him, completely shutting off the bright daylight and the chilly atmosphere took Alexander by surprise.

He looked up and was glad to see the tiny rays of sunlight that still managed to get through the thick canopies, faintly illuminating the forest.

With a deep breath, Alexander stepped forward with one goal in mind, walking as fast as he could.

He had to find Silas, the wizard that had cursed his fiance and kill him or get him to break the curse.

Thankfully, he had a clue on where to begin and he hoped his search could not take more than a week.

He had asked for a map of the dark forest but the creepy witch that he had visited with Damon a while back had laughed and handed him an old compass instead.

She had told him that the forest was always shifting and one couldn’t rely on landmarks if they ever wanted to reach their destination.

Alexander had not fully understood what she had meant by that until he looked behind him and noticed with growing unease that the trees were not like they had been ten minutes back.

It looked like they had moved, subtly changing position without him noticing.

The witch had made him pay a large sum for the compass that he currently held in his hand after assuring him that it could be used by witches and wizards to locate each other.

It was pretty vague since Alexander had no idea how many wizards or witches lived in the black forest but it was all that he had at the moment.

As he looked at the tiny needle that was pointing him towards the east direction, he inwardly hoped that it was leading him to Silas.

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