The three horses rode deeper into the forest.
The trees grew thicker. The light dimmed. Shadows stretched long and unnatural between the twisted trunks.
A few hours passed.
By the time they were several kilometers into Blackfen, darkness had swallowed them completely.
They dismounted and stopped near a large, gnarled tree to make camp for the night.
A small fire crackled between them.
Gwenllian sat rigidly, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Her head turned constantly, scanning the shadows.
She looked at Mikhail.
"Your Majesty—"
Mikhail sat leaning against the tree, chewing food thoughtfully. He didn't look up.
"I know. I felt it."
Miyako sat beside him, composed and still.
"It's everywhere around us." Her voice was calm. "Be on your guard, Gwenllian."
Gwenllian nodded.
A moment of absolute silence.
Then—
Vines.
They crawled up from the ground, slow at first, then faster. More and more, creeping toward them from every direction.
Miyako reacted instantly. Her blade flashed, cutting through the encroaching vines with precise strikes.
Gwenllian drew her sword and shield, hacking at the vines on the opposite side.
"Gwenllian—don't let them touch your skin!" Miyako called out. "They're poisonous!"
Mikhail remained seated, still chewing.
Gwenllian glanced back, breathless.
"Your Majesty, they're endless! Aid us!"
Mikhail let out a long sigh and stood.
He looked around slowly, eyes narrowing.
Let's see where this mouse is hiding.
His gaze landed on something in the distance.
Hmm. I can hear her thoughts. My skill has improved—I don't need eye contact anymore.
He started walking.
"This way."
Miyako and Gwenllian moved with him, cutting through the endless vines, dodging the ones that lashed out like whips.
After a few hundred meters, Mikhail stopped.
He drew his sword and threw it.
The blade streaked through the air and embedded itself in a tree trunk with a sharp thunk.
The vines stopped immediately.
Silence.
Miyako and Gwenllian looked ahead.
There, hunched against the base of a tree, was a hooded figure.
A woman's voice rang out, panicked and desperate.
"No, no—don't come near me! Don't take another step or I'll kill you all!"
Mikhail walked forward calmly.
He reached the tree and pulled his blade free. It had struck just inches from her head.
He looked down at her and shook his head.
"A witch. What a sorry sight." His voice was cold. "So helpless and pathetic when the enemy is right in front of you."
The witch scrambled back against the tree.
"Don't come any closer! I-I'm the Great Witch of—mphh—"
Mikhail grabbed her by the mouth, silencing her.
"Do you not know who I am?" His tone was flat, dangerous. "Such ignorance."
He leaned closer.
"You can decide. Either you die by my hand... or you guide us to your Queen."
He released her and turned to Gwenllian.
"Tie up this wench. We've got ourselves a guide."