It took some time before her family calmed down. Iris waited for Junifer to fall asleep before she silently slipped out of her bed and their home to get into the woods. Since their father's death, Iris hadn't shed a single tear. But now, knowing that she might not be able to see her family ever again, she didn't think she could hold back any longer.
Whenever she was sad or wanted to be alone, Iris would tread her way to the woods, which she now knew like the back of her hand. She would sit by the river bank, watching the stars up in the sky. Iris would whisper her woes to the wind, as if she wanted them to take it away, so she could go home feeling much better.
It was no different tonight. Once she reached the border of the town and the woods, she noticed that the royal guards who were supposed to make sure no maidens would escape before the arrival of the emissaries were already dozing off in the middle of their duties.
Iris could only hear their light snores and the wind coming from the woods, as if it was calling her. Still, she found the part where some bushes covered the iron fences that were no doubt older than her. It was supposed to protect the townsfolk from any darklings, but Iris doubted that it had any effect on those beings.
She leapt and stayed still once her feet touched the ground. Her ears tried to pick up sounds that could warn her if someone was coming, fortunately, there was none. Still, she made sure that the blade on her right thigh was within reach, just in case someone would ambush her.
As soon as she entered the woods, the night breeze passed and the trees somewhat bent towards her direction in greeting. Iris had no doubt now that they were responding to her, that they acknowledge her. But to what extent, she wasn't sure.
Iris reached her usual spot at the river bank and stared at it blankly, holding a twig of snowdrop in one hand. The full moon bathed her with its light. Unlike how peaceful the waters were, her mind was raging with several thoughts. She wasn't worried about what could happen to her in Asnar, but worried about the welfare of their family once she left.
A twig snapped behind her and Iris immediately sprang back to her feet, her hand reaching for her blade. She heard a snarl first, which was followed by a low growl. Iris's heartbeat raced, wondering if the direwolves had come back to finish what they started.
Just what kind of luck did she have? Was she born under a cursed star?
Then the clouds that passed the moon left, revealing a familiar pair of cerulean eyes staring back at her.
"Oh, it's you." Iris sighed in relief and straightened up.
Step by step, the large white darkling wolf approached her until it sat on its hind legs, looking at the river as if ignoring her. Iris blinked twice and returned to her previous spot. If the darkling wanted her dead, it would have pounced on her and shredded her into pieces with its sharp claws and fangs. She glanced at her weird companion, marveling at how white its fur was.
She pressed her back on the tree trunk behind her and returned her gaze to the river.
"I didn't know that you would be here. Pardon me for ruining your night stroll, but do not worry. I won't be able to disturb you again, because I'll be leaving for Asnar later."
As if the darkling understood her words, it turned its head to look at her. It looked at her as if it was waiting for her to explain herself.
Iris smiled weakly. She couldn't believe that she was speaking like this to a darkling. Any sane human would have run away in fear by now, but she didn't. Being sent to Asnar or being killed by a darkling didn't differ much in her opinion anyway.
"My sister was chosen to become a tribute for the treaty. I volunteered to take her place instead."
The darkling scoffed and snapped its head back to the river. Iris found it amusing that even a darkling found her decision reckless.
"I know, it's reckless. But I had no other choice, did I? If Asnar is really a dangerous place to live in, then I would rather go there instead of my sister." Iris then removed her leather gloves and took a look at her hands.
"I also don't know how to deal with this magic…" She admitted. "I hope I can find someone who could help me control it in Asnar." She paused and looked at the darkling, who was now staring at her.
"Would I be able to meet you there too? I mean in Asnar? It would be nice seeing someone familiar in foreign place. Are you getting tired of hearing my ramblings? I hope not."
The darkling scoffed for the second time and Iris wondered if it was only tolerating her because she had saved its life before this. Still, she was glad that she was able to talk to someone before she left.
"I wonder what happens to the tributes once they reach Asnar. Some say that they are to become brides, but I doubt that I would be a decent one." She let out a laugh and shrugged. "Do they kill them, treat them like some kind of a sacrifice? I wonder why none of them came back after leaving Dravial. It doesn't make sense to me, considering how close the two places are to each other."
There was no doubt that the knowledge about Asnar and the darklings was quite limited in human territories. Iris wanted to see the world in a larger picture. Perhaps there was more to Asnar, aside from their vicious killings and violence towards humans.