The three kept running with all their strength. Regan didn't know where she was going, she didn't know anything, any path, any way. She only knew that she had to keep going in order to survive.As she ran, Sirius's words rang her mind: 'You wouldn't even survive out there. You don't know the dangers of the unknown'.She had survived up to this, at least. It didn't matter, foreign or familiar, she wasn't willing to die."Regan...I guess.... we're....very far....now." Artemis said out of her breath. Her legs hurt from running and she constantly feared that with her long dress, she was probably going to stumble somewhere.The servant girl, kept following them, clueless as well. She didn't have anything to say, she just wanted to make it out alive.Regan slowed her run a little, being out of breath as well. She looked around the forest, its surroundings were still as eerie and scary. Not only that, it was even getting a bit darker. The sky was clouded by grey and heavy clouds, the possibility of rain. Although Regan wasn't sure. She didn't know if it rained like on earth, but that was the most logical thing to think about."Yeah...I think we left them behind. I wonder whose sinister plan that was." She spoke more to herself. Although she didn't want to believe it, she couldn't shrink the possibility of Sirius being involved. But strangely, something prevented her from believing it. And then, the shootings. Where did they come from?"We should leave the forest quickly. There must be a way out! What way did you come here? How did you come here? Where do you live?" Regan spoke again, wanting to know more of Artemis's life and motives.Artemis sighed and she sat on a wooden bench, "When I came here, I used a travelling ship. But turning back is not the same. It's not allowed to use travelling ships to leave this realm."Regan shook her head in frustration , "Why? If you're allowed to enter, why you're not allowed to leave? Ridiculous set by ridiculous rulers."It's because Sirius would punish everyone who dares to defy him." Artemis replied."So? What is the thing now? Are we going to keep wandering and then find more thugs and monsters?""No, we'll first go to my realm and in my house. Then, I'll find a way. Sirius doesn't want you to stay in my realm either. He wants both of us to completely disappear."Regan cursed under her breath in defiance. Never ever was she going to forget the vow she did. Never ever was she going to act like nothing happened. She decided to not speak back at Artemis for that. Playing along was the best thing to do at this moment."So, you are saying that we're going to go to some other planet? We can go to earth." She suggested, although she knew that was a place Sirius knew."No, he wouldn't accept that. We'll find a way." Artemis said, her expression thoughtful."Lady Artemis, it's getting darker. We should hurry." The maid spoke for the first time. She looked as terrified, her voice shaky and scared.Regan was grateful for only one thing that she spoke, at least she said Artemis's name."Yes, we should get going." Regan supported.Artemis sighed and stood up, "I think we're soon getting to the town."Regan nodded and started to walk, keeping close to her sister.The forest continued to grow with the creepy mists and challenging roads, when they had no idea which turn to take, despite Artemis saying that she knew the way out.As they continued to navigate, suddenly, heavy raindrops started to fall in a high and astonishing speed. A strong wind went through the forest, removing Regan's hood from her head. The rain became denser and heavier, it's pressure was palpable.Regan felt like the rain was striking her and although she tried to not show it, the pain was notable in herself. The thundering noises and lights on the sky were strangely scaring her. Before, she hadn't ever been scared of thunders and lights but now, it was different. Maybe because she wasn't on earth."Oh God!" She said and turned to Artemis , "What's that kind of storm? This is terrible!""I know. We need to find shelter." Artemis replied.The coldness engulfed Regan and she started coughing, being too exposed to the cold."We already are at shelter!" She retorted in frustration. The trees covered them, but still it had no effect on the raid.As she kept walking, Regan started to shiver uncontrollably. She hated being vulnerable but couldn't help it. Artemis and her maid looked rather better.The rain kept falling, harder and harder, and thunder was so loud it seemed as if it was right above them. Lightning lit the forest for brief moments, revealing the trees in all their terrible beauty. She wished she could see more clearly.Finally, they came upon a small hut hidden deep within the woods. It was made of mud and straw, and had a thatched roof. There was a small opening for a door, and a window covered in thick, woven cloth."That should do it." Regan cracked as she saw the shelter. She approached it cautiously and pushed its 'door' using her leg.The hut had a small, dried fireplace. There were a few crude chairs and a table made of wood. A small bed was pushed against one wall, covered with animal furs. The floor was covered in straw. A shelf above the fireplace held various pots and pans, as well as dried herbs and vegetables.Regan approached the fireplace while holding her cloak strongly. Her hands were cold but she quickly rubbed them together. A dim and subtle spark formed on them. Satisfied, Regan lit the small fireplace on the hearth, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere inside the hut. She then placed two logs on the fire, making it grow stronger. The fire's light illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Artemis and her maid walked inside as well.Regan removed her cloak and hanged it somewhere on the tall woods. She advised Artemis to do the same. The maiden didn't have what to do. She sheepishly approached the fireplace.Regan started to squeeze her wet red hair. Her clothes stuck uncomfortably at her but she remembered it wasn't the first time. She kept shivering but tried to heat up by the fire.Artemis, who was doing the same with her hair, sighed, "This is disgusting. I can't believe we made all that road, to end up being caught in a storm and ending up in this filthy cabin." She said in frustration.The servant girl nodded in response, being able to relate as well, "You're right, my lady. Let's hope we make it out alive."Regan shoved the dust away from an old wooden chair and sat down, approaching the fire, "Of course we'll make it out alive. As soon as the storm ends or gets better, we'll leave."Artemis continued to express her disdain for the cabin. She glared at her surroundings and cursed Sirius under her breath.The red haired, noticing it, tried to change the subject, "So, Artemis, what were these things that tried to attack us?" She asked, having her own doubts."I don't know. They're just vile and monstrous creatures. They happened to be there." Artemis answered nonchalantly.Regan frowned, narrowing her eyes, "What a coincidence, weren't we followed by Sirius's men? He must be behind the attack."Her sister shook her head, "No, he didn't have to attack. Believe me, they were just there.""And what about the shootings? Apparently we weren't the target, otherwise we would've been shot as well."
Regan said, curious enough about who shot the creatures.
"Whoever it was, was someone who coincidentally happened to be there on the right time and place. You're overthinking it."Artemis's words didn't convince Regan a bit. She was still suspicious of what happened. The two sat in silence for a while, listening to the rain and watching the fire dance. Finally, Artemis said, "Thank you for fighting with them. If you wouldn't have been there, I don't know what would have happened with me."Regan's expression turned thoughtful and confused, "Do you have magical powers, Artemis?" She questioned. She wanted to question her about the eternal ember as well. But the maid was just there and she couldn't reveal anything else."Yes, I have. I can control wind and have telekinetic abilities." Artemis answered, her expression thoughtful."How come you didn't use them back there on these monsters?" Her sister asked, looking at her with a confused face.Artemis sighed, "Well, it's complicated. Powers need power. These days they've been a bit drained."The maid was hearing their conversation, and Regan couldn't help to ask Artemis what she really needed to ask. However, she couldn't do it when the other girl was just there.The loud and fierce thunders were heard just as they happened to be behind that primitive door.Outside, the storm raged on, howling as if it would tear the world apart. The wind picked up, sending leaves and twigs flying through the air. The rain poured down harder, making the already swollen river threaten to overflow its banks.The hut had turned warm and cosy, despite Artemis and the servant girl disliking and showing their reluctance to get comfortable.Regan on the other hand didn't care as much as she cared to dry fast. She leaned on the chair and put her knees on her chest, removing her boots to dry them by the fire. She felt warm and relaxed in spite of the storm outside."What's your name?" Regan asked the servant girl, who had been looking at her for a while."My name is Cora, my lady." The servant girl answered with a courtesy."So....Cora, do you think Sirius has a thing to do with our attack?" Regan asked, her curiosity getting the best of her, and she narrowed her eyes at the girl.Cora exchanged uncertain glances with Artemis, fearing what she should say in response."I-I...I don't know, my l-lady. I-I
mean, I can't be sure, but I don't think h-he does." She stuttered, darting her eyes around the cabin.
Regan nodded, still skeptical from the servant girl's answer. She glanced at Artemis, who seemed to be deep in thought. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The wind howled outside, making the hut creak and groan. The rain pelted the roof, sounding like thousands of tiny fists beating against it.Cora shifted uncomfortably in her seat, watching the two girls carefully. She wished she could provide more reassurance, but she didn't know what to think herself."That damn storm seems like eternity." Regan said in frustration, "Maybe Sirius cursed the place or something." She said in disbelief, "Before, I didn't see any storm in this realm."Artemis frowned, looking thoughtful. "I don't think he's capable of that. As soon as it ends, we're going to leave.""He wants to make a damn point that it's difficult to survive in the wild." Regan retorted, holding her grudge and remembering each of his words perfectly, when she didn't even want to.Then, she let out a tired sigh. She knew the day was longer, however it was darkened already, "Where will we go at night?""My lady, we are less distinctive at night. It's just more difficult to navigate." Cora said."Cora is right." Artemis added, "We shouldn't lose time. We should leave Silvertide as fast as possible."Regan, who had no idea how they were going to space travel, stayed silent. Surely, she knew of the portal thing. But if the portals were used, why didn't Artemis use a portal to come to Silvertide in the first place? She decided she'd ask these later since the first priority was to get out of the forest at first."But listen, night holds dangers lurking around. It's harder to follow any right road. I'm not saying that's safe either, but we can leave at down." Regan spoke again, trying to convince Artemis, "you can sleep, I'll stay to watch out."Artemis looked at her gently, "No, you don't have to. We can take turns."Regan nodded, grateful that she was accepting. She knew that it was challenging as well, but it was much better than to go and venture out in the dark and chilly night.