Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

T he longer they traversed through the thick forest, the more Harald felt a general sense of unease. He remained on high alert, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his short sword. He trusted Karalyn's magical connection to the nature all around them to warn them of any immediate danger, but once they crossed over to Theriana, they would have to be truly cautious. The shapeshifters were cunning, and their ability to blend into the environment would make them difficult to detect. The silence of the forest was unnerving, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant call of an unseen creature.

"We must be close to the border," Karalyn whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their footsteps on the forest floor.

"Of the forest. There is a stretch of land beyond and then water before we reach Theriana."

"At least a mountain does not separate the kingdom," she said.

Harald nodded, his eyes scanning the trees for any sign of movement. While there should not be any shapeshifters about yet, they were unpredictable, and he didn't want to be caught off guard. Every shadow seemed to shift and move in the dim light.

As they continued to walk, a sudden movement caught Harald's eye. He turned, his short sword half-drawn, but he saw nothing, and he grimaced and cursed himself. If an elf found them with weapons out, it would not be seen as favorable. The forest around them remained eerily still.

Karalyn placed a hand on his arm, her expression tense but calm. "We need to move more quickly. If we're discovered…"

Before he could respond, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. It was different from the natural noises of the forest—more deliberate, more coordinated. Within moments, they were surrounded by figures stepping out from the shadows of the trees.

Elves.

Their tall, slender forms moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. The emblem on their cloaks was the symbol of the royal guard. These were not ordinary elves. They were the elite protectors of the king and queen.

A stern-faced elf with piercing green eyes stepped forward. "You are far from where you should be, King Harald," the elf said, his voice carrying a note of warning. "This is not your land to traverse."

Harald sheathed his blade but kept his stance firm. "We have no intention of causing trouble. We are heading eastward to Theriana."

The elf's eyes narrowed. "Theriana is not a place for outsiders. You risk much by venturing there."

Karalyn flew forward. "We understand the risks, but the risks are ours to endure."

The elf leader glanced at his companions, who exchanged knowing looks. "Your safety is not guaranteed in Theriana."

Harald nodded, fully aware of the peril they faced. "We are prepared for any danger we might face, but we must go."

The elf leader studied them for a long moment before shaking his head. "You may be prepared, but we have orders to ensure your safety, and that means returning you to your ship. The king and queen wish for you to remain within their protection."

Harald opened his mouth to protest, but the elf's expression left no room for argument. The elves were not merely offering a suggestion. They were delivering an ultimatum.

He glanced at Karalyn, who gave him a slight nod. Defying the elves could jeopardize the fragile alliance they had begun to forge.

"Very well," Harald said, his voice betraying his reluctance. "We will return to the ship."

The elf leader inclined his head, a gesture of acknowledgment. "A wise decision. Come. We will escort you."

With no other choice, Harald and Karalyn allowed themselves to be guided back through the forest, the elves forming a protective ring around them. The journey back to the longship was swift, the elves moving with an effortless speed that belied the dense terrain.

As they walked, frustration welled within Harald. Did the elves have an ulterior motive for preventing them from reaching Theriana?

Finally, Stormbreaker came into view, anchored in the calm waters where they had left it.

"Your ship awaits," the elf said, his tone formal. "The king and queen have requested that you return to your home at once. They wish to ensure your safety and that of the treaty we hope to build."

Harald nodded, though his frustration simmered beneath the surface. "We appreciate the concern of your king and queen."

"Do not think to sail around Ashelin," the elf continued. "By order of King Kerok, you are to return to your ship and sail back to Ashelin immediately. These waters are forbidden to you."

Harald set his jaw. He did not relish being denied waters. Already, the mermaids and sirens sought to take the sea from him, and now even the elves wished to limit the waves he could crest. The elves sought to stop them from entering Theriana. Again, why?

"We have no intention of causing trouble," Karalyn murmured.

"Good. I am glad that we will not be forced to escort you aboard by less peaceful means." The elf lifted his chin. "The king and queen will be informed of your cooperation. Return to your ship and rest. The journey ahead will be long, and you will need all your strength."

With that, the elves stepped back, watching. Harald felt their eyes on them as he and his wife boarded the longship and set sail. Once they were off, he turned back and watched the elves as they melted back into the forest, disappearing as quickly and silently as they had appeared.

"They're trying to protect us," Karalyn said softly, though there was an edge to her voice, "but they don't understand what's at stake."

Harald nodded, his jaw set. "We'll return to the ship, as they've asked. There's more at play here than we understand." A knot of tension formed in his chest, and he tried unsuccessfully to rub the pain away.

Karalyn looked out over the water, her expression thoughtful. "There's something they're not telling us," she murmured, her voice filled with quiet concern.

Harald nodded, his eyes fixed on the retreating shoreline. "Yes, and I intend to find out what it is, but for now, we'll have to play by their rules."

"What sort of alliance is this when they seek to keep us at arm's length?"

"An alliance that is built on sand," Harald said ruefully. "One storm could cause it to come crashing down."

"And that storm could be called Morlok."

"There are others who could rock the boat," he added.

Karalyn eyed the ripples in the water from the longship. Was it his imagination, or was her pale complexion a shade of green? "The mermaids… the sirens…" she muttered.

"We cannot return to the isle just yet," he told her.

She touched her enchanted sea shell around her neck. "May the wind be kind."

Harald placed a hand on her shoulder. "The waves too."