The forest smelled of damp earth and pine. I bent low, gathering fallen sticks into my basket, the crackle of dry twigs beneath my fingers almost comforting. It had been months since the last storm of chaos, and our lives had finally settled into something that resembled peace. The wind whistled gently through the trees, cool and steady, brushing my silver hair across my face. I didn't bother tucking it away as it was too beautiful a day to care.
Not far from me, Bomi's laughter floated through the air, light and careless like a butterfly itself. She was chasing them again, her small feet pattering against the mossy ground. Each time one escaped her hands, she'd giggle, twirl, and run after another. She was the heart of this place, our little flame.
Mother had stayed behind at the cabin. She was probably tending to the herbs hanging from the rafters or grinding wild spices for stew; she always found a way to keep her hands busy.
When I returned, the sun was already starting its slow descent, filtering gold through the leaves. The wind picked up, my dress moving freely, the wind was stronger now, tugging harder at my hair. It shimmered in the light, silver threads dancing in the air. I paused at the edge of the clearing, just to breathe it in: the quiet, the warmth, the illusion that peace could last forever.
Then, everything changed.
A sharp noise, broke the stillness. I turned sharply. From the bend in the forest path, a man stumbled out, clutching his side. His clothes were torn, soaked with blood. He was gasping, barely standing. My basket fell from my hands as I ran forward, heart hammering.
The man stumbled into our clearing just before noon, blood dripping from his leg, his breath ragged and shallow. I was still standing near the woodpile when he collapsed against our cabin wall.
"Please," he gasped, "they're after me, help me."
Mother rushed to him immediately, her hands steady despite the shock in her eyes. "Who is after you?"
"The Riders," he wheezed, clutching at his wound. "from the Qua Zi bloody empire... they.... ."
Mother froze for only a heartbeat, then turned to me. "Korj. Inside. Pack everything. Quickly."
"What's happening?" I asked, heart pounding.
"Just do as I say," she snapped, her tone sharper than usual.
I turned toward the door, but before I could take a step, the sound of hooves thundered from the trees. Three riders emerged from the forest path, cloaked in black and crimson, their armor shining with one if them holding am ember with a phoenix on it.
They reined their horses before the cabin. One of them, clearly the leader, stepped forward. His eyes were cold as he looked at Mother, then at me, and finally at Bomi, who stood half-hidden behind her.
For a moment, no one spoke. The only sound was the restless snort of the horses and the steady thud of my heartbeat. Mother picked up a spear from the cabin door and pointed it a their leader, she was in defense mode.
Then the soldier broke the silence. "The last time I saw such beauty," he said with a smirk, "was back at the castle of Crystansia, before every walls fell and before houses were burnt down."
Mother's voice was steady. "Do you wish to harm two defenseless ladies and a child?"
He looked her up and down, his gaze pausing on the spear in her grip. "You don't look defenseless to me," he replied. "Now, surrender our prisoner, and we'll be on our way."
Mother's eyes flicked toward the injured man on the ground. "He's from Crystansia, isn't he?"
The soldier nodded. "From the ruins of it, yes. He's a fugitive, a slave bound for the Qua Zi Empire. He belongs to us. You see, he tried to escape and by doing so he killed one of my men."
Before anyone could react, the man on the ground let out a hoarse cry and snatched the spear from Mother's hand. "You'll not take me alive!" he shouted, staggering to his feet.
But his strength was gone. The soldier moved faster, knocking him to the ground with the flat of his blade. The man gasped as the soldier tied a thick rope around his wounded leg, securing the other end to his horse.
I flinched. "Stop! He's hurt!"
The soldier ignored me. "He's a traitor to the Empire. Pain is his penance" He said while making sure the rope was tight.
He gave a sharp whistle, and two of the riders began to move, pulling the man's limp body behind them as they rode off, dragging him through the mud and leaves until both were swallowed by the trees.
Only one soldier remained. He turned back to us, his gaze cold but not entirely cruel. "It's dangerous for three of you to live so deep in the forest without a man to protect you," he said.
Mother's voice was quiet but firm. "We don't need a man to protect us."
Before she could say more, Bomi stepped forward, chin lifted in defiance. "We can protect ourselves just fine!"
The soldier stared at her for a moment, then laughed. It wasn't a mocking laugh. "You're a brave one," he said with a faint smile. "Brave… or foolish. Be careful, little one. You never know what might come for you in these woods."
He turned his horse and rode off after the others.
The forest fell silent again. Only the whisper of the wind and the distant cries of crows filled the air.
Mother stood there for a while, gripping her empty hands, her face confused and wondering. Then she turned toward me.
"Korj," she said quietly, "go inside."
This time, she didn't need to repeat herself.
After the soldiers rode away, silence wrapped around us. The air felt too still, too heavy.
Mother stood motionless, staring at the path where they'd disappeared. Then, with a sharp inhale, she turned to me. "Korj," she said, her tone calm but urgent "We're leaving."
The weight of her words sank in slowly. "Leaving?" I asked.
Her eyes darted to the forest again. "Don't ask questions. Just do as I say."
Bomi tugged on her sleeve. "Mother, are we running away again?"
Tabika knelt to her level, brushing a wet strand of hair from her daughter's cheek. "We're not running," she said softly. "We're just… moving somewhere safer."
"But we were safe here," Bomi said, frowning.
Mother smiled faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Sometimes, safety is only quiet before danger finds you."
I swallowed hard and went inside to start packing. My hands shook as I gathered our things: a few loaves of dry bread, herbs, blankets, the small carved figurine Bomi loved so much. The wind outside was rising, whistling through the cracks of the cabin walls.
When I looked out the window, the clouds had grown dark, heavy with rain. Bomi stood by the door watching them too. "It's going to rain soon," she murmured. "A big one."