Casey's heart was pounding in her chest as she stepped out into the cool afternoon air. After having a heated movement back in the hut with the elder and Mr. Lucius, the memory of it burned in her mind like a hot coal. The weight of her decision to go alone was beginning to bear down on her. Doubt crept into her mind, and she wondered if she had made a mistake in coming alone. She had no idea what dangers lurked in these woods, and she had no one to rely on but herself.
But just as she was about to give in to her fears and turn back, a faint sound caught her attention. As if from a dream, a distant voice called out her name, faint and far away. Casey's heart leapt with hope, and she turned around to see two figures emerging from the trees. It was Serenya and Lucius, riding on a magnificent horse, their silhouettes etched into the setting sun.
Serenya's eyes were filled with concern as she spoke. Her voice was gentle yet resolved. "Your Highness, please stop."
Casey's heart lifted at the sight of Serenya. "Serenya, Mr. Lucius I thought you wouldn't come," she said under her breath and felt a sense of relief at the thought of having her by her side.
As they approached, they slowed down and came to a stop beside Casey. "I could not let you go alone," Serenya said jumping down from her horse, her voice filled with concern. "Your highness, you don't even know the path."
Lucius jumped down from his horse, "Your Highness. I am sorry about what happened earlier."
Casey shook her head, "Please don't be, I was overreacted too." she touched the horse gently, "Are you coming with me too?"
Lucius pondered for a moment and replied, "Not me, but Serenya and these horses will. I would be too anxious to leave His Highness behind. I will stay here and take care of him."
"You know how to ride a horse right, Your Highness?" Serenya said patting the horse slowly.
Casey's eyes twitched. "Drop 'Your Highness' if you want to come with me."
Serenya hesitated as she glanced at her from the corner of her eye. "Casey."
"Great, Good" Casey smiled. "I do know how to ride horses too."
"Your Highness, please take this with you," Lucius shuffled his pockets and took out a box, " It's called 'The Ring of Element Balance'. Crafted by ancient elven wizards, it is a powerful artifact that helps its wearer control their magical abilities. The ring is made of a rare metal known as Starsteel, which glows with an otherworldly light in the presence of magic."
As Lucius handed Casey the Ring of Elemental Balance, her eyes widened in surprise and awe. She could feel the power emanating from the ring, and she knew that this was something really special.
"Mr. Lucius, this is incredible," Casey said, her voice trembling with excitement. "Are you sure you want me to have this?"
Lucius nodded with a small smile on his lips. "I trust you with its power, Your Highness. You are trying your best to control your magic, but with this ring, you will be able to do so with greater precision and control."
Casey slipped the ring onto her finger, and immediately she felt a surge of energy coursing through her body. It was as if the ring was alive, responding to her very thoughts and intentions.
For a moment, Casey was lost in the sheer joy of the moment, reveling in the power of the artifact. But then she looked up at Lucius, her eyes full of gratitude.
"Thank you, Mr. Lucius," she said softly. "I will use this ring properly for the greater purpose."
Lucius nodded, a look of pride on his face. "I know you will, Your Highness. Now, don't waste any more of your time get onto this horse, and start your journey."
"Just curious, but wouldn't be going by Serenya's magic is way faster than the horses?"
"It is faster, but with the energy, in this dense forest, many creatures like Leeches would be attracted. I bet none of us want that right now."
"True..." Casey said, giving him a reassuring smile. "Okay then, what is the plan?"
"Well, I would suggest we travel to the Mortal village," Serenya scratched her neck, "I don't really know the proper way to the Great Snow Witch."
"Oh," Casey said. "That means we will be meeting your brother and he will guide us?"
"Exactly," she said with a wink, "You catch on fast."
Casey felt a surge of gratitude toward her. "Thank you," she said. Her voice choked with emotion. "I was beginning to doubt myself."
Serenya smiled reassuringly. "You are not alone in this, Casey. We will find the Great Snow Witch together."
As Serenya and Casey prepared to depart, Lucius couldn't help but fuss over them. He paced back and forth, muttering about the dangers they might face and the provisions they should take with them.
"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?" he asked. His brow furrowed with concern. "I could send a few men of mine with you both, it's no trouble at all."
Serenya and Casey exchanged a knowing look. They were used to Lucius' fussing by now. "We'll be fine, Father," Serenya reassured him. "We can do this and brother will be there too."
At this, Lucius relented slightly, but he still insisted on giving them each a thick cloak to ward off the cold. "And don't forget to stay warm!" he called after them as they mounted their horses and rode off into the distance.
Serenya and Casey rode deeper into the forest their horses prancing beneath them. The sun was casting a warm glow across the rolling hills and verdant forests that lay ahead.
Serenya looked over at Casey, her eyes full of determination. "Are you ready for this, Casey?" she asked.
Casey nodded, her own eyes reflecting the same sense of purpose. "I'm ready," she replied. "We better be back with the witch as fast as possible then."
With that, the two women spurred their horses forward, their cloaks billowing behind them as they rode out into the open country. The road ahead was long and winding, but they were both skilled riders, and they made good time.
As they rode, they talked about their plans and their hopes for the future. As they rode along the winding trees, Serenya took a deep breath and turned to Casey. "I'm looking forward to seeing my brother again," she said with a smile.
Casey nodded in understanding. "What's he like?" she asked, curious.
"He's kind and brave, like all of our kind," Serenya replied. "But he's also very different from me. He's more adventurous and more willing to take risks. I think you'll like him."
Casey smiled back, feeling excited about the prospect of meeting Serenya's brother. It was always interesting to meet new people, especially those from different walks of life.
Hours passed as they rode, the landscape changing around them as they journeyed deeper into the forest. Towering trees, their trunks thick with age, reached up towards the sky, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.
Birds flitted from branch to branch, filling the air with their sweet songs. Squirrels scurried up and down the trees, their bushy tails twitching as they gathered nuts and seeds. The occasional deer darted across their path, its graceful form disappearing as quickly as it had come.
As they rode deeper into the forest, the trees grew denser and the undergrowth thicker. The air grew cooler and more fragrant, filled with the scent of moss and wildflowers. Serenya and Casey could hear the sound of a babbling brook in the distance, its gentle gurgle adding to the peaceful ambiance.
Despite the serene beauty of the forest, however, Serenya and Casey knew that danger could lurk around any corner. They kept their eyes and ears open, ever-vigilant for any signs of trouble. But for now, they allowed themselves to be swept up in the magic of the forest, letting its calming energy soothe their souls as they rode deeper into its heart.
Finally, as the sun began to set on the horizon, they heard a woman's scream in the distance.
Serenya and Casey rode toward the source of the smoke. They heard a shrill scream again that made their blood run cold. They urged their horses to go faster, and soon they spotted a group of goblins attacking a young woman.
Without hesitation, Serenya leapt off her horse and conjured a strong gust of wind that knocked the goblins back. The woman stumbled away from the goblins, and Casey quickly dismounted and stood protectively in front of her.
As the goblins regained their footing, Casey focused her magic and unleashed a bolt of lightning that arced through the air and struck one of the creatures, causing it to screech in pain.
"Wow, this ring really works," Casey whispered to herself, standing in front of them with confidence.
Serenya continued to use her wind magic, pushing the goblins back and preventing them from getting too close. Casey's lightning bolts crackled and sparked, causing the goblins to retreat and regroup.
The battle raged on, with the goblins trying to get past Serenya's windshield and Casey's lightning bolts. Despite being outnumbered, the two of them fought with determination and skill, their magic keeping the goblins at bay. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the goblins retreated into the shadows, their shrieks echoing through the forest. Serenya and Casey stood panting, their hearts pounding with the adrenaline of battle.
The young woman they had saved approached them, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I was going to die."
Serenya smiled kindly at her. "You're safe now," she said. "What were you doing out here alone?"
The woman looked down at her feet. "I was trying to find my way to the village. I got lost in the woods and then the goblins attacked."
Serenya and Casey cautiously approached the woman they had just saved from the goblins. As they drew nearer, the woman's face twisted into a sneer, and they noticed a faint circle of glowing runes etched into the ground around her.
Before they could react, the woman let out a cackling laugh and spoke an incantation, causing the circle to flare with bright light. In an instant, Serenya and Casey found themselves standing within the bounds of the circle, unable to move.
"You fools!"