One hundred years has long since passed since what was known as The Dark Burning, and the world was still stagnant in the way it treated witches. In the heart of a dense forest, a mother, burdened with the weight of both a history and witchcraft, fled with a bundle in her arms. The rustling leaves whispered as the woman, her black hair and emerald eyes were concealed beneath the hood of her cloak, darted between the trees. Her breath quickened, the rhythmic beat of her footsteps blending with the elusive melody of the ancient woods.
In her arms, a baby, innocent and unaware of the legacy of her family that clung to her like a haunting song. The mother, her green eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and fear, sought refuge in the heart of the forest.
An overgrown patch of grass and bushes became her sanctuary. She crouched low, the baby cradled in her arms. The sound of footsteps approached, the ominous presence of witch hunters casting a shadow over the tranquil scene.
The mother's heart pounded in her chest as the hunters reached the edge of the overgrown sanctuary. Their voices, a whisper in the wind, discussed the elusive woman and her hidden child. The mother held her breath, praying the shadows would keep her hidden.
"Where could she have gone? Keep your eyes sharp, she can't have just vanished into thin air... Could she?" One of the hunters muttered, the urgency in his voice echoing through the stillness of the forest.
The tension in the air was palpable as the mother, hidden among the bushes, clung to the hope that the veil of shadows would remain unbroken. The hunters, their frustration evident, continued their search, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.
As the forest fell silent once more, the mother exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding. The baby, nestled in the safety of her arms, stirred as if sensing the danger that had passed.
Relief washed over the mother, and she rose from her hiding place. With cautious steps, she made her way deeper into the forest, towards the distant glow of a town nestled within the ancient trees. The journey ahead held the promise of a safe start for her child and yet the shadows of the past would always linger on her...