-20-The sun blanketed the sky in an orange hue as they dawned upon the forest. Miriel saw a lone black-haired soldier standing by the entrance in uniform, holding his spear with its end to the ground.They stopped their horses and descended to the ground, holding them by the reins. The horses shook and neighed as they slowly walked to the soldier."Report, soldier." Miriel said."Yes ma'm!" The soldier replied. He crossed his arm to his shoulder and returned it to his side."We heard a loud shriek that hurt our ears. We looked and saw some sun-forsaken creature hanging from the trees. It had these vine-like thingies coming out from some ball-shaped body of leaves and branches. It pulled the vines from the traps and escaped to the forest." He continued, "The others went after it, Kint rode to tell you and the captain and I am standing guard. Ma'm!""Have the townspeople returned to their houses?" Miriel asked."Yes ma'm. Some of the others sent the farmers home and joined the others in the forest."Miriel turned and saw Mark staring at the entrance."Are you heading in? She asked.Mark turned to her and pondered."They saw a spindlefell. It's not deadly but they will need help, and I know the woods." He said.She went to him and took the reins of his horse."Then go. I shall wait for others." She replied.He unsheathed his sword, then went closer to the forest and stood there for a moment."Mark." Miriel called.He turned back and stared at her."Take care," She said.He nodded, then entered the forest.As he did, soldiers arrived on horses. Miriel saw a carriage headed to them from afar.The captain came to her, took the horse reins and gave them to another soldier. He towered over Miriel, with scars strewn over his stern face. His head had more grey than black strands."What 'r we dealin' with, Riel?" He said, his voice deep and loud."Mark mentioned a spindlefell. Are you familiar with them?" She replied."Tch." He clicked his tongue. "Aye, I do. Harmless bunch. But in woods like these, we may well be weedin' the forest.""I'll head in with the runts." He continued, "Any runts turn up after, send 'em straight to us."Miriell nodded.Two soldiers holding horse reins remained, the rest followed the captain.The sun's last throes dimly lit the sky from obscure darkness."Lady Miriel!" She heard a shout and turned. Anne descended from the carriage and rushed to her, with a metal bowl on her head."Did you see the creature? What did it look like? Did it have wings? Could it fly?" Her eyes shone as she stood in front of Miriel, bombarding her with questions. She held the bowl on her head with both hands.Miriel sighed."No, I did not. Where is Louis, Anne?" She asked."He's watching the mansion, so he sent me and Crausel. Oh, Crausel won't come closer than that." Anne pointed at Crausel, who poked his head out behind the carriage and waved his cap."The bowl is needless, Anne. You can take it off.""Okay." Anne took it off and held it by her side."How long have they been in there?" Anne asked."Before the sun fell." Miriel replied.Darkness loomed above.They heard intermittent shouts from the forest, birds flew and critters scurried. Thumping sounds echoed and a loud voice bellowed.They saw figures in the woods heading towards the entrance.A few soldiers came out, carrying the wounded; some limped and were aided by another, some were carried by two.One soldier with a cap on his head stood before Miriel."Reporting, ma'm!" He said. He straightened and crossed his arm to his shoulder."Report, soldier." Miriel replied."Captain said they've killed the, um, thing. And that they're, um, fine. But they're searching for the wounded and, um, mainly those ones that went ahead before we did.""Also," He added, shaking and jittering, "We, um, couldn't find Mark."Miriel blinked her eyes."Couldn't find him?" She replied."Mm." The soldier nodded, "He was 'round the early ones, who were wounded, and, um, and then the spindle-thingy attacked and we lost him after. The captain and the others are, um, searching for him as well." The soldier crossed his arm and went to help the wounded.Miriel stared at the forest for a moment."Ma'm!" She heard a voice from behind and turned her head.It was from a soldier crouched near one laid on the ground."Molt has something to inform you, ma'm." He said, then stepped away and went to another wounded.Miriel went and kneeled next to the lain soldier."...M'lady…" He feebly whispered.She leaned her ear next to his mouth.."I saw 'im, m'lady. When the thing dropped on us, he fought it. I was on the ground when the thing knocked 'im to a tree. I turned back and saw the thing run, but then I saw 'im running away when I tried to get up.""You'll know where he went if you can find his sword. He dropped it near the place he fought the thing. The place with no trees, look to your right when you get there""Thank you, soldier." Miriel bowed." …All for my charge…" The soldier saluted, and winced as he did.Miriel rose and went to Anne."Anne, fetch what you brought in the carriage and help the wounded. Inform Crausel to ask the villagers for help." She said"What about you, my lady?" Anne asked, with her eyes squinted and her brows creased."I will go find Mark." Miriel replied."But my lady…""I know the woods better than anyone, Anne. I will be fine."Anne stared at Miriel, then nodded. She turned and went to the carriage.Miriel wove through the soldiers and entered the forest-Miriel reached the place with a gap in the tree line. A chunk of the ground sunk deeper than the rest, many patches of dirt were unearthed and strewn about as marks littered tree barks.Miriel turned to her right and slowly walked as she eyed the ground.A glint caught her eye and she walked to it.She crouched and lifted Mark's sword. The grey-white sheen was apparent even in the moonlit woods.She eyed the ground and found tracks that lead further from the sword.Miriel held the sword and ran in the direction they led.The tracks were faint, dark as it was. Still, memories led her path.