The Untold Forest by Elisa Menz (web ebook reader txt) 📗

had stepped forward, clenching her fists to keep her frantic heartbeat in check. With a voice that showed much more confidence than what she felt, she said. “I know how to free them.”

And immediately after, the gravity of what she was saying dawn on her. If she did this, the fate of the entire half-breed race would fall on her shoulders. Was she strong enough?

Before she could panic, she turned to Regn. The intensity of his emotions called her attention.

No magic in the world could compare to the look of utter pride in his eyes. Whatever doubts she was facing now, it took one glance at his smile to make her feel capable of anything.

When she turned to Tyst, her will was unwavering. “I can free them.”

CHAPTER XXXII

WARMNESS

Hakken

He was a bundle of nerves. Maeve and Regn had been gone the entire morning, and despite him being the one who decided to stay behind, he could barely sit still. His eager eyes trailed after them as they entered the Warlock’s cabin and followed Kniv when he knocked on their door soon after.

“Hakken, please stop.” Flyg stood behind a thick tree, biting her nails. “You are going to get us caught if you keep peeking like that. Just stay still!”

“That might be easy for you! You didn’t just send the one you love to face a mob.” Hakken barked in annoyance.

Flyg’s face darkened, and she hugged herself to calm her unease. She turned to Hakken with a frown. “The one I love is leading my people to slaughter our kind. If he survives, how will he live with that burden? How will any of them?” Her voice caught in her throat as her lip quivered. She let her eyes roam the crowd, ignoring Hakken’s guilty stare. “After all these years, we were finally ready to leave our caves and meet with the world once more.” A lonely tear slid down her cheek. “And this happens...”

Comforting others was not something Hakken cared about, but a certain kind-hearted girl was having an influence on him. “We uncovered the truth now. You won’t be punished for this. You are not alone this time.”

“What do you know about being alone?”

But Hakken knew. All too well. He moved to stand in front of the girl, placing a hand on her head and clumsily ruffling her hair. “I can tell you it gets much worse if you push away those trying to help you.”

Flyg rubbed her eyes and gave him a lopsided grin before shrugging. “Thank you.”

They both turned to the sound of footsteps heading their way. Regn hurried to meet them. Hakken stared at the crowd once more and discovered Maeve standing next to the Warlock, facing a hundred distressed half-breeds. He was becoming more anxious by the second.

As soon as Regn reached them, he sprang out of hiding. “What is happening?”

The young nomad gave him a stern look before addressing Flyg. “You need to come.” The woman tensed at this. “Don’t worry, Maeve explained everything. They need to see you for themselves.”

They reached the clearing, both men flanking Flyg, carefully assessing their surroundings. To his relief, Hakken realized most eyes showed tiredness, concern but no signs of aggression. Flyg, however, trembled in fear and practically jumped into Maeve’s arms as soon as they reached her.

She looked beautiful. It amazed him how much Maeve seemed to have changed the last few days. Hakken remembered the night he had brought her into the Forest, how she had cried in sheer terror and clung to his side, trying to hide from his tribe. She now stood dauntless, facing warriors and dealing with gods. He always thought of physical strength as the embodiment of power, but he realized violence would do no good this time. Maeve’s courage and kindness were exactly what they needed to overcome this crisis.

“This is Flyg.” Her voice sounded clear and steady. Both girls faced the crowd, hand in hand.

An elder walked close to Flyg, scrutinizing her. “Is it true, what this human girl told us? You were possessed by the red dust and freed by her magic?”

“That is the truth, venerable elder. I struggled to be free from the moment it took me, but only with her help, I succeeded.”

A murmur rose from the crowd. Maeve addressed a familiar woman. “Tyst, if we can provide a way to save your people and spare them, would you help us free the mountain half-breeds as well?”

The woman shook her head, stubborn. “You expect us to believe every one of them is innocent, after meeting but one insignificant kid? How can we know for certain this Dröm is not acting on his own volition?”

“He isn’t!” Flyg moved to face Tyst with pleading eyes. “I spoke with him right before being infected by the dust. He had a moment of clarity, and all he wanted was to be free of this curse! Please!” She now addressed the entire crowd. “My people need your help! I vow to spend the rest of my life atoning for the sins we have committed, but I beg you now, save my friends from this gruesome fate. Don’t let them die as murderers!”

If that heart-wrenching plea didn’t shake them, Hakken doubted anything would.

There was a moment of hesitation before Tyst lowered her gaze, and her voice softened a little. “We can’t live another eleven years hating each other.” She held a hand to Flyg and the other to Maeve. “You can count on whatever strength we can provide.”

“I thank you, Tyst of the Lake tribe. Rest assured, all the power I can offer will be at your service.” The Warlock’s voice was reassuring, and for the first time, they could see a handful of smiles among the members of the Lake tribe.

“We should move your people to our village,” Kniv intervened. “We will provide shelter for you and assemble the valley tribes to face this together.” He placed a calming hand on Flyg’s shoulder. “You should join us. We need all the information you can give us. If we want to