Chapter 44: Sorrel kidnap
Twilight surrendered to darkness as Sorrel led the AMAZON squad through the dense forest that marked the boundary between Moonlight Kingdom and the lawless territories beyond. Fifteen of Queen Elysia’s finest elven warriors moved silently through the undergrowth, their leather boots barely disturbing the carpet of fallen leaves beneath them.
’Mother thinks her throne room intimidations will stop what’s coming,’ Sorrel thought bitterly as she signaled for the squad to halt in a small clearing. ’As if threats and executions could rewrite prophecy.’
"We’ll make camp here for the night," she announced, her silver hair gleaming in what little moonlight filtered through the canopy. "Set a perimeter. Double watch rotations."
Commander Lynnae approached, her tall elven frame moving with predatory grace. Of all the AMAZON warriors, she was the most formidable—a master of water manipulation who could draw moisture from the very air around her.
"Your Highness, we’ve covered nearly thirty miles today," Lynnae said, her voice low. "The trail grows colder with each passing hour. Perhaps we should—"
"We continue at first light," Sorrel cut her off. "My sister is out there somewhere, and I intend to find her before she discovers what she’s truly capable of."
The warriors dispersed efficiently, setting up their sparse camp with practiced movements. No fires would be lit tonight—they couldn’t risk alerting potential enemies to their presence. The forest was known to harbor brigands and worse, creatures that had long ago forgotten their loyalty to any kingdom.
Sorrel stood at the edge of the clearing, amber eyes scanning the treeline. Something prickled at the back of her neck—a sensation of being watched that she couldn’t shake. Years of training had honed her instincts to a razor’s edge.
There—a flicker of movement in the shadows. A pair of eyes reflecting the meager light, then vanishing as quickly as they had appeared.
"Valera," Sorrel called softly to the guard closest to her. "Did you see that? At the northern edge of the clearing."
The guard squinted into the darkness, her hand moving instinctively to the hilt of her sword. "I see nothing, Your Highness."