The exhaustion that had weighed me down only moments before vanished in an instant. A surge of energy coursed through my veins, awakening every part of me. The muscles in my face softened, and a deep, warm smile spread across my lips, born from a mix of determination and newfound hope. With renewed vigor, I leaned forward and swiped the reins, urging Hei Hei onward.
"Faster, girl!" I whispered, my voice laced with excitement. She responded immediately, her powerful legs pumping harder as she accelerated, her hooves thundering against the ground. The wind whipped against my face, carrying away the last remnants of fatigue. Ahead of us, the huge gate loomed, ancient and imposing, its iron-bound timbers towering against the darkening sky. It was our target, and we were racing toward it with everything we had.
Hei Hei's mane streamed like a white banner behind her, and I could feel the strength and determination in every stride. The distance between us and the gate closed rapidly, and my heart pounded with anticipation. Whatever lay beyond those gates, we would face it together.
Soon, we arrived at a grand gate, adorned with intricate carvings and ancient inscriptions. The towering walls stretched so high that they concealed everything beyond them from view.
I crouched low in the saddle, my fingers gripping the rough mane of Hei Hei, who stood restlessly beneath me. The morning air was crisp and cold, clinging to my skin like an unwelcome shroud. Before me loomed the gates of the kingdom—my kingdom—now an imposing barrier between me, the answers I sought, and my destiny. I had not seen these walls since my infancy, yet they seemed to stare back at me, judging and indifferent, as if aware of my return.
The gates stood tall, their heavy iron bars bolted shut against the morning light. Two guards, weary from the night's vigil, stood beside them, their torches sputtering in the dawn's chill. I narrowed my eyes, calculating. Charging up to the gates with my name and lineage was out of the question. My identity alone would turn me into a spectacle, and I couldn't risk blowing my cover before getting what I came for. I needed a plan, but as I stared at the high stone walls and heavy gates, my mind churned with doubt.
"Hei Hei," I whispered, turning to my horse, her brown eyes steady and wise, "how do we get past that?"
She snorted softly, as if in thought. Her ears flicked back, sensing my tension. A few minutes passed as I weighed my options, my brow furrowed. Hei Hei nudged me gently with her nose, drawing me out of my stupor.
"What is it? Got a better idea than I do?" I murmured, a wry smile creeping onto my lips. Hei Hei flicked her tail and stamped a hoof, almost as if to say, "Of course I do, you foolish girl."
I sighed, crouching lower among the shadows of the thicket where we'd been hiding. "Alright then, what do you suggest?" Hei Hei's ears twitched, her gaze fixed on the guards who were lazily slouched against the walls, half-lost in their conversation. She seemed to be watching for a moment when their heads turned or their eyes glazed with the haze of sleeplessness.
"Wait… wait… you want us to go around?" I asked, realizing her intention. She nodded her head subtly, and I could almost see the smirk in her eyes. "You cheeky thing," I muttered with a grin.
I patted her neck, thinking hard. "Alright, let's try it your way," I said, though my heart drummed with nerves. I knew the guards had changed shifts not long ago, and this was the brief, precious moment when the night watch would be sluggish, and the morning watch hadn't fully come into its own.
Keeping my head low, I guided Hei Hei out of the underbrush, moving quietly along the shadows, blending with the last breaths of night. We crept closer, keeping to the edge where the stones were old and crumbling. I watched the guards carefully—they were in that dangerous lull between focus and boredom, their torches burning low.
Hei Hei and I moved inch by inch along the wall, keeping ourselves out of sight. Just as we were rounding the side, I spotted a narrow gap between the stones—an old, forgotten flaw, covered by creeping vines and darkness. I felt a twinge of excitement. "That's it, Hei Hei. Think you can squeeze through?"
The horse flicked her ears back, almost as if to say, "Watch me."
I held my breath as she moved carefully, edging her way into the narrow gap. I could feel the tension coiling in her muscles, the determination in every silent step. For a moment, her body seemed to shimmer in the dim light, a soft glow that made my breath hitch. Was that magic? I had no time to think about it; I pushed through, holding onto her mane as we emerged inside the wall's perimeter.
Then it happened—a soft clatter of stone under Hei Hei's hoof, louder than a thunderclap in the early morning quiet. I winced as one of the guards' heads snapped up, his eyes narrowing. His hand moved slowly to his sword hilt.
"Who's there?" he called out, squinting into the shadows. My heart leaped into my throat. I wasn't ready for this.
"Hei Hei, move!" I hissed, nudging her forward. But the guard's eyes were on us now, his companion beginning to stir. "It's too early for this," the other muttered, yawning, but he didn't seem fully awake. Still, they were starting to take notice.
Hei Hei, sensing the urgency, took off at a brisk pace, and I clung to her mane, my hood falling back slightly. The guards shouted again, but I could hear the half-heartedness in their voices. Perhaps they thought we were just a random girl and her horse—no real threat in the breaking dawn.
I couldn't resist a grin as we picked up speed, darting through the winding streets of the still-sleeping kingdom. I looked back briefly; the guards were standing there, unsure whether to chase or return to their conversation. I bet they were weighing the odds of getting into trouble versus staying put, and I had to count on the latter.
"We did it, Hei Hei," I whispered, my breath coming quick. She tossed her head in triumph, her mane rippling. "Looks like you had the better plan after all."
She snorted again, and I couldn't help but laugh, feeling the exhilaration of the escape. "Alright then, let's see where this path takes us. It's time to find out what this ancient darkness really is."
As the kingdom began to stir awake, I felt a strange mix of dread and excitement. We were inside, and there was no turning back now.
I knew I had to be cautious. Every step, every word would matter here.
I had to find out all that had happened in my absence, rediscover myself, fulfill my destiny, and save my kingdom.
I had no magic to rely on, but I had my wits, my stubborn spirit, and Hei Hei. And for now, that would have to be enough.