CHAPTER 1: THE SHADOW ENTERING THE SILVER VALLEY
Even the freezing breath of winter could not soothe the ache in Evelyn's fingertips. The skin of her hands was chapped and cracked, but it was a small price to pay for the only warmth that sustained her family's life.
Evelyn had been forced to venture into the deepest, most dangerous corners of the forest, a two-day walk from her family's rented cabin. Her father was afflicted with pneumonia, and her little sister was near faint from hunger. The solution lay in the rare healing herb, the Aethel Root, which only sprouted in the damp, shadowed soil of this cursed land. A handful of the root meant a small fortune, which translated into firewood and food to help her family survive the winter.
The sky lay across the world like a heavy, leaden quilt. Evelyn chewed on the meager piece of bread in her satchel while orienting herself by looking for the oldest, thickest tree trunks. This was the place where human lands ended and legend began. This was the border of the Shadowpeak Kingdom.
"Just a little further," she whispered to herself, the cold air filling her lungs and threatening to numb her senses. "Just a little deeper."
The stone fences marking the boundaries had been broken down for centuries. Yet, the forest itself served as the only warning sign. Every tree beyond this border was darker, every silence deeper. This was the territory of Alpha King Damon. Even whispering the name of this leader, known among the common folk as "The Stone King," was enough to send a chill down Evelyn's spine. If a mortal was caught in King Damon's lands, the punishment was often only death.
But this danger was not greater than the hunger of her family.
Beside a massive, moss-covered rock, Evelyn finally found the Aethel Root she was searching for. The root shimmered with a faint silver glow beneath the dark soil. A weary but triumphant smile spread across her face. Quickly, she began to dig with her small garden trowel.
The powerful roar that erupted right behind her, however, froze all her victory.
"Who goes there! Hands up!"
Evelyn jumped and spun around instantly. Four colossal Lycans, mid-shift with smoke curling around their bodies, were striding towards her. These were none other than King Damon's warriors, members of the Guard Regiment. Their armor was deep black, and their eyes reflected the silver light of the full moon. The Alpha leading them, marked by the sigil on his shoulder, was clearly the regiment's commander.
"Drop your weapon!" the Alpha commanded.
"I have no weapon," Evelyn replied, her voice attempting to tremble but maintaining its resolve. In her raised hands were only a small garden trowel and the roots she had just unearthed.
The Alpha circled Evelyn with irritation. Evelyn bit her lip, trying to prevent the scent of her fear from reaching them. When the Alpha glanced at the spot where Evelyn had been kneeling, his brow furrowed.
"You... You are a human. And what is it you seek?"
"I am a healer," Evelyn answered. "And this root... I was looking for this. I know I crossed the boundary. But my intention was not to harm Shadowpeak. I had to save my family."
The Alpha turned back to his men. "No malice. She came only for a healing herb, not for sustenance. She doesn't resemble a spy or an assassin."
Another Lycan cast a scornful look at Evelyn's clothing. "By her clothes, she is the last person who would attempt to conquer our kingdom."
The Alpha approached Evelyn. His face was stern and ruthless. "Nevertheless, the rules were broken, human. We must take you to the Kingdom. The King will decide your punishment."
Evelyn paused for a moment, as if accepting her fate. But just then, a single thought flared in her mind: her family. If she died, they would surely perish. She had to take a risk.
"I agree to come to the Kingdom," Evelyn said, looking directly into the Alpha's eyes. Her voice was no longer shaky. "But I have a request for the King. If he understands my intentions were not malicious, I offer to pay for my punishment with an opportunity."
The Alpha stepped back in surprise. "What opportunity?"
"You have infirmaries in your Kingdom. I know it. I have skill. If he allows me to work in those infirmaries, I can support my family with my earnings. This way, I am not punished, and your Kingdom gains a healer. If I fail to work well, then he may kill me."
The Alpha hesitated at this unusual proposal. A human was bargaining her destiny with the Alpha King. This was either utter foolishness or incredible courage.
"You are very bold," the Alpha said, a hint of a smile appearing on his face for the first time. "But the King appreciates bold proposals. We are taking you."
Evelyn dropped her trowel. She had just bargained for her family's life. Now, she was entering the kingdom of dark legends, not just as a healer, but as a mere pawn.