The Dark Forest

by Sarah Noffke

  “I sense as much. And I fear that the harpies will soon be after your people again. So, in payment for helping Drago, we will guard you on your way to Virgo. And when he has returned, we will guard your borders,” the chief told her, bowing low.

  Azure bowed to the Orc in return. “I would be honored to have your assistance.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “Well, while you storm off under the protection of a gaggle of Orcs, we’ll just tramp out into the evil Dark Forest to search for a missing one. And if you remember correctly, I highly insulted Drago when we rescued him,” Monet said, crossing his arms and looking perturbed. He didn’t want to go on this mission at all, but Azure had made a deal with the Orcs and she needed their protection for the people of Virgo.

  “Monet, you offend everyone, so Drago is no different. Please locate him and bring him to the northern border of Virgo. That’s where the chief will be waiting,” Azure said, looking at the chief, who nodded at the question in her eyes.

  “Monet do this. Monet do that. Save my father. Get me food. Find an Orc,” the wizard said in a high-pitched voice meant to mock Azure.

  “I won’t remind you that you asked to come along on this mission.” Azure narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I think you just did, Princess Azure,” Gillian said in a low voice.

  “Right. Well, you two be careful. Take this so Drago knows he can trust you,” Azure said, unbuckling the knife from her waist and handing it to Ever.

  “We’ll find him and bring him to Virgo. Don’t worry.” The Light Elf looked ready for the challenge. Monet would be safe with Ever, or at least Azure hoped he would.

  “Thank you,” she mouthed just before the pair turned and marched in the opposite direction.

  Azure turned to the chief, who had his eyes focused on the forest ahead. “Let’s go. I need to return as quickly as possible,” she said, her chin held high.

  “I’ll take the lead. My men will be in the back and on the sides. Stay vigilant, Princess. I fear more harpies or other dangers are ahead of us,” the chief said, his voice more like a growl.

  Azure nodded, striding ahead with Gillian at her side. She kept a close eye on the gnome, not wanting to lose him to a harpy again. He was easy prey.

  The group trooped through the Dark Forest, negotiating the path through the vegetation more easily than before thanks to the chief chopping down much of it with a machete. Traveling with Orcs would actually be pretty great if not for the smell and the constant grunting. Twice a fight broke out between two Orcs, but quickly earned the attention of the Chief, who merely turned and regarded the pair with sharp dark eyes. Like quarreling siblings under parental scrutiny, they brought their fists back to their sides and pretended to ignore each other. Orcs were actually kind of cute, Azure thought, if one got over the hulking muscles and bald heads.

  Sliding her eyes to the side, Azure checked on Gillian. He kept up easily despite his short legs. “You don’t have to worry about my safety, Princess,” he said, catching her glance.

  “I do believe, based on the past, that I absolutely do need to,” She remembered the harpy that had plucked him so easily from the ground and flown off. If it hadn’t been for Ever, Gillian would have been an appetizer.

  “I was distracted, and missed the signal from my built-in warning system. It won’t happen again, and I daresay I’ll be the first to know about approaching danger,” the gnome assured her.

  “Warning system?” Azure asked, running her eyes over Gillian. He only wore the brown suit and bowler, but he was constantly pulling the pad from the inside pocket of his jacket. And he’d given Ever and Monet the device to locate her. Who knew what else he was hiding in his pockets?

  Gillian sighed, but didn’t answer her question. She should have expected as much.

  “Anyway, what about this book we’ll be looking for in the mountains?” she asked him.

  “It’s called the Book of Branches. It details the habits, practices, and philosophies of the dryads, as well as other forests nymphs. Further, there’s information on the different tribes,” Gillian said.

  “That’s how we’ll find the rogue dryads, isn’t it?” Azure asked.

  “I believe so, but finding the book might be more difficult than actually finding the dryads.”

  “I’m used to that kind of thing. Nothing has been easy since I learned half of me was human.”

  “But you haven’t given up on your quests.”

  “Well, no. My mother’s life depends on me returning her soul stone, and the Dark Forest depends on me finding a way to stop the Duke of Terran.”

  “I can only imagine what the future Queen of Virgo will do next,” Gillian said, a strange knowledge in his eyes.

  “Take a long fucking nap.” Azure laughed, looking down at the gnome. The red flower on the brim of his hat twitched, and the petals peeled back to show a set of sharp and pointy teeth.

  Azure halted, her eyes widening. “What was that?” she asked as the teeth disappeared.

  Gillian didn’t answer, but scanned the upcoming area. “Be on guard, Chief. I sense danger around us.”

  “Warning system, eh?” Azure said, looking at the trees.

  The Orcs continued to move forward, many of them passing Azure and the gnome, when to the side, a hoarse scream filled the air. Azure spun with her wand in front of her and saw a huge pair of legs being pulled into the air. It took her a moment to figure out that what she was seeing was a net wrapped around an Orc, towing him into the air and squishing him into a ball.

  “It’s a trap!” the chief bellowed, gesturing for everyone to halt.

  A loose brown rope lay on the ground in front of the group. “Watch where you step!”

  “Nets,” Gillian mused.

  “Yes, someone has set them to trap us. And since we’re getting really close to the border of Virgo, I’m guessing they were meant to catch witches and wizards,” she said.

  “Are you certain your people didn’t set them to trap trespassing humans from Terran?”

  “I’m positive. We don’t have the same laws as they do, although I think that will change now. We allow humans through our lands. But people from Terran would know this is the path we often take to the ocean.”

  “It appears that Phillip means war,” Gillian said.

  “Yes, he obviously wants to send a message.”

  Three Orcs had gathered and were working to free the one who now hung from a tree. The trap didn’t stand a chance of actually holding them, since they were in a group. However, someone traveling alone wouldn’t have been able to escape the net easily.

  “Watch for triggers on the ground,” Gillian said, nodding at a rope snaking between a pile of leaves.

  “I might consider a hovering spell soon,” Azure said as another Orc was caught and yanked into the air. This was causing a serious delay, really slowing them down. She needed to return quickly, but Azure knew she shouldn’t hasten forward without the protection of the Orcs, especially after witnessing yet another trap set by the humans.

  Not too far ahead, the group heard a humming sound, and all eyes darted to the area of the canopy the noise was coming from. It sounded strange, but not like it was dangerous. Rather, it sounded like someone being playful. However, that only made Azure more cynical. She didn’t trust the forest or the strange creatures in it.

  “It’s a pixie,” said the chief, who was several yards in the lead. Hanging from a high branch was a small bundle, which swayed slightly. It was much smaller than the fish nets that had caught the Orcs.

  The Orcs all grunted in unison. Having cut down the last one who had been trapped, they continued to move forward, stepping carefully to avoid any more problems.

  When she was underneath the trapped pixie, Azure paused. Inside the net was a blur of pink and blue and blonde hair. “We need to get her down,” she said, staring up at the bundle hanging from the tree. Between the ropes, an eye stared down at her, curiosity lighting it. Although difficult t
o make out who was in the net, Azure did spy fluttering wings.

  “We move forward. No releasing the pixie,” the chief said, his voice loud.

  “But if we don’t let her down, she’ll die there, or be eaten,” Azure said, her volume matching his.

  “The pixie is not my problem. I agreed to take you to Virgo,” he said, shaking his brutish head.

  “I saved Drago from a similar trap. Haven’t you learned anything?”

  The Orc stared at her and blinked dully. Then he shook his head. “We will continue. The pixie could be a trap.”

  From high up in the trees the pixie continued muttering and humming to herself, emitting soft, undiscernible noises.

  “Or she could just be a pixie who was caught just like two of your Orcs were,” Azure said, her voice vibrating with frustration. Why was it that species would protect their own at the risk of hurting others?

  The chief looked past Azure to his men. “We will move forward. Watch the path,” he commanded, and turned, continuing to walk toward Virgo.

  Azure sighed, looking down at Gillian. He simply studied her, waiting to see what she would do.

  Shaking her head, she raised her wand. “You’ll want to step back before the pixie lands on your head.” Directing her wand at the net, she muttered a series of incantations. The trap, like the bars on the Orc’s cage, was charmed against her magic. However, on her fifth attempt she found a spell that unraveled the ropes. The pixie fell toward the forest floor, but quickly recovered, her wings helping her flutter safely to the ground.

  The chief grunted his disapproval but turned, curiously watching the pixie. The Orcs around him also watched, looking rather hungry as they eyed her.

  The pixie, who was maybe a foot tall, wore a pale pink leotard and a chiffon skirt. Her blue wings fluttered as she touched down on the ground. Her eyes glittered with excitement at first as she stared at the Orcs, but calmed when they landed on Azure and Gillian. A loud hum burst from her, along with a giant smile. Then her mouth opened, but only nonsensical words flowed out. The pixie turned to Azure and then Gillian, talking to them both, her message urgent but making zero sense to them.

  “What is she saying?” Azure asked, hardly parting her lips to form the words, her eyes on the pixie as she spoke to Gillian.

  “I have no idea,” he replied in a similar manner, “but she knows everything we’re saying. Pixies understand all languages.”

  “Well, that makes no sense. No one can understand a pixie, but they understand everyone.” Azure spoke through tight lips again. She stepped forward, offering the excited pixie a welcoming smile.

  “Are you okay?” Azure asked, each word spoken carefully, as if the pixie were hard of hearing.

  The diminutive flew into the air to circle Azure’s and Gillian’s heads before landing in front of them again. She rambled the entire time, not saying anything understandable to the pair. At the end of a rather long speech, she shook her short blonde hair and blinked expectantly at Azure.

  “Right… Well, you’re welcome. Hope you’re okay, and so long,” Azure told her, realizing the Orcs were growing restless. They hadn’t protested when she saved the pixie, but were becoming more agitated as they watched the strange fairy creature buzz around.

  The pixie burst out laughing, covering her small mouth with her fingers as she did. Then she bowed deeply and offered her hand to Azure.

  “It is great to meet you,” Azure said, taking the pixie’s hand and wringing it slightly. “I’m Princess Azure of Virgo.”

  This set the pixie off like a fire had been lit under her ass. She flew up to the canopy and then dived again, her mouth moving fast as she muttered words no one could translate.

  “Calm down.” Azure’s voice showed her nerves. She was happy they’d saved the pixie, but now the merry little beast was keeping them from returning to Virgo. “We must be on our way. Please take care, and mind the traps in the forest.”

  Azure nodded at the pixie, who set down on the ground and nodded back, copying the way Azure had her hands resting by her side. “Okaaaaay… Well, good day to you,” the princess said a bit hesitantly and then turned, realizing the pixie hadn’t moved yet. Azure continued to move forward, the Orcs turning and marching with her like soldiers following her orders. Gillian shook his head and kept pace with the group. When they’d gone several paces, Azure noticed something. The pixie flew a few feet behind her, her feet nearly brushing the ground.

  “Uhhhh, what are you doing?” she asked, turning to the pixie, who looked behind herself as if trying to see who Azure was talking to.

  Then the pixie spun back and stared at Azure, pointing at her chest as if to say “You mean me?”

  “Yes, you. Are you following us?”

  The pixie nodded adamantly, her bright blue eyes sparkling.

  “Why?”

  The pixie launched into a long series of buzzing and humming sounds, speaking quickly. She pointed in the direction they were headed and grabbed invisible reins, then galloped around Azure and Gillian. When she was back in her original place, she made an “X” over her heart with her hands, all while muttering strange words, then bowed again and fell silent.

  “Right. Well, that was as clear as salamander piss.” Azure turned and looked at the gnome.

  “I don’t speak pixie, because no one really does. But I do believe she said something about horses,” the gnome told Azure.

  Azure scratched her head, not because it itched but because her brain hurt. “You want to see a horse? Is that right?”

  The pixie launched straight into the air, her hands clasped in front of her, then fluttered down, wings buzzing, muttering excitedly. She nodded her head and reached for Azure’s arm.

  She had just enough time to pull back, unsure what the pixie planned to do. “Okay, horses. You want to see, ride, be near a horse. Fine. We have them in Virgo. I’ll take you, but you can’t get in my way while we’re traveling.”

  The pixie lifted her finger and pulled it across her mouth as if she was sealing her mouth shut. Then she nodded and smiled.

  “We must go!” the chief said from the front of the group.

  “I know. I think we’ve resolved the issue. We’ve added a new member to the group. Charge ahead, Chief,” Azure said, turning and moving forward with the well-oiled machine of Orcs.

  “Do you think it wise to bring a pixie to Virgo, Princess?” Gillian asked.

  “About as wise as bringing a grumpy old gnome.” Azure shot back with a wink.

  “But you can’t communicate with her.”

  “Which means when she starts insulting me, I’ll be none the wiser.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “What three wishes are you going to have Azure grant you when she takes power?” Monet asked as he polished off a bag of Cheetos.

  A laugh popped out of Ever’s mouth. “She’s going to become queen, not a genie,” he said.

  “Same thing, I believe. I’m asking for a fine witch to be delivered to my bed every night, a pile of gold to arrive at my feet every morning, and a succulent meal to be waiting for me at eventide each day.”

  “You are a man who knows what he wants,” Ever stated with a smile.

  “So how do we find a lost Orc? Do we nail up “Missing” posters?”

  “I’m thinking the wood elves would be pissed about that approach,” Ever told him.

  “Oh, those damn elves get mad about everything.”

  “Although true, they may know how to find the lost Orc. The wood elves see everything, but remain hidden. If an Orc has roamed through this forest, they’ll know about it.”

  “Okay, sounds like a plan.” Monet ambled up to the nearest tree and rapped on its trunk. “Wizard here, with a noble cause. I need a wood elf.”

  Ever shook his head at the wizard and trotted forward. “That’s not how you get their attention,” he said, motioning Monet forward. When they were in a thick stand of trees, the Light Elf halted and gestured for Monet to stop beside
him.

  “What is it?” Monet asked, peering around.

  “I need you to do something that will require all your willpower. You’ll have to devote every ounce of your being to this task, although it might kill you. Okay?”

  “What is it?” Monet asked, thinking he was going to be asked to sacrifice a limb.

  “I need you to remain absolutely still. You can’t move a single muscle. Don’t even blink, but keep your eyes open. And don’t speak,” Ever said, his hands down by his sides and his eyes peering around the dense forest.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? I’ll die from boredom.”

  “That’s the price for this task. It’s been nice… Well, it’s been okay knowing you. Anyway, no more talking, starting now.” Ever clamped his mouth shut.

  Monet stared around the forest, the need to fidget fizzing in his being, but Ever had set him a task and he wouldn’t let him down. He focused on a single point ahead, the trunk of a tree. Several long minutes went by, each more boring than the one before. He knew he could remain still for a long period if he just thought about something relaxing, like a babbling brook. Or a bubbling cauldron. Or a foaming mug of Mole Head’s beer. That final thought made his stomach churn with longing, but just then the tree he had focused on did something strange.

  It moved.

  Monet was careful to keep his reaction tucked inside his mouth. The effort not to respond to the tree that uprooted itself and ambled a few steps was excruciating. The tree moved through the forest, its branches knocking into the limbs of neighboring trees.

  “Excuse me. Pardon me,” the tree said, moving through its brethren.

  There was a blur of movement, and Monet realized that Ever had sped through the forest at lightning speed. He had rocketed forward until he was just in front of the moving tree, and now he grabbed a low hanging limb.

  “Gotcha!” Ever said, holding the tree in place.

  “Get off!” the tree bellowed.

  “Absolutely, but not until you help us,” Ever told the wood elf, motioning to Monet. Realizing it was okay to move now, the wizard shook off the uncomfortable feelings that had come with being still for a few minutes.