A crow called out from somewhere nearby, and tree branches rustled high overhead. Everything around her seemed to be holding its breath, and Sabrina briefly wondered how the forest felt about her being there. Did the plants and trees despise witches of their own accord, or was it only the Waldkonig who didn't want her kind around?

Crouching down, Sabrina placed a hand against the ground, seeking out any nearby stores of metal. She easily found the silver she'd connected with before, as well as veins of copper, iron, and even gold, farther down. She smiled as she rose and wiped her hand against her leg; knowing there was metal so near immediately made her feel better.

Looking around, she wondered if she ought to stay where she was and wait for the Waldkonig to appear or if he expected her to seek him out. Never one to be still when there were actions to be taken, Sabrina walked deeper into the woods.

"Hello?" she called, wondering if Maedra and Gerta were still there and close enough to hear her. Most likely they'd already returned to the castle to tell the Sprechen what had taken place.

"My name is Sabrina," she continued. "I'm the one who spoke with you last night."

Reaching out, she ran her fingers over the bright green fronds of a fern growing from a hole in a large tree. The plant didn't feel any different from those she'd gathered from the woods near the castle, but of course that didn't mean anything. A pang stung her chest as she thought yet again of her microscope and other equipment she'd been forced to leave behind, but she forced it from her mind.

Sabrina continued deeper into the Schwarwald, her eyes drinking in the towering trees and long, green vines snaking through the branches overhead. Flowers of every size and color bloomed, filling the air with a sweet fragrance, and occasionally she caught a glimpse of a creek, gurgling merrily as it wound its way across the forest floor.

Pausing to gaze at an especially fascinating display of fungi, its black and brown-streaked surface formed from thousands of transparent gills, Sabrina marveled at the sheer variety of plants, trees, and mosses. Everything was lush and verdant, the breeze cool, the sunlight warm, squirrels chattered, and a songbird called out...this was nothing like the terrifying forest she'd envisioned since childhood, a menacing place of darkness and pain, its very existence causing unspeakable suffering.

Sabrina turned in a slow circle, taking in more of her surroundings...and gasped as a man suddenly appeared before her. There was no burst of light, no high-pitched whine, no shaking ground, nothing to announce his arrival. He simply appeared beneath the intertwined boughs of two trees...one minute there was nothing but the forest, and the next, Sabrina was no longer alone.

It wasn't as if Sabrina had never seen a man before, but she'd certainly never seen a man like this before. While she knew she was staring, she also found she couldn't help herself, nor did she particularly care.

The man before her had long blonde hair that reached well past his shoulders. His hazel-grey eyes were sharp and inquisitive, and she felt as if he was seeing all the way beneath her skin, into her very soul. Swallowing hard, she considered drawing the cloak tighter around herself, but decided that wouldn't actually block his gaze. A large gold and silver crown with sharp tines sat upon his head, and Sabrina's mouth went dry as she finally encountered the very entity she'd set out hoping to find—the Waldkonig.

"It's an honor," she said, bowing low from her waist, feeling light-headed in a way she'd never felt before. Of course, she'd never stood before ancient, powerful, forest royalty, either. She wanted to ask him how he'd suddenly appeared out of thin air, but thought that might be a bit presumptuous of a topic to lead with.

The Waldkonig stepped closer, the hem of his grey and green robe somehow managing to float just above the forest floor, avoiding getting caught on roots or covered in pine needles.

"Witches are not allowed in my woods," he said, his voice deep and commanding, and fear coursed through Sabrina at the thought of being thrown out when she was so close to getting the answers she sought.

"However," continued the Waldkonig as Sabrina slowly straightened, "you made a most convincing argument as to why you are different."

Stepping closer to her—so close, in fact, Sabrina could touch him if she reached out her hand—the Waldkonig studied her with an intensity that was equal parts disarming and intriguing.

Inclining his head forward ever so slightly, the Forest King spoke again.

"I am Kobald," he said. "And I am most interested to hear more about what you wish to do with your research."

Her pounding heart began to subside, and Sabrina fixed her eyes on the Waldkonig as a smile spread over her face.

This was it. She'd done it.

She would find the answers she sought. She would complete her research. She would create.

And she would finally become the witch she was meant to be.

Picture by Hazim1596 from Pixabay