They crossed the forest without further incidents. Iris could feel the Shadows lurking at the corners of her vision, but they kept their distance. It seemed that the demonstration of strength they showed during the last ambush was enough to keep the creatures at bay. At least for now.

The forest ended suddenly, and they entered the great plain. The ground was rocky and dusty. There was no sign of any shadowy flora here, just cracked, grey earth. When they left the shelter of the trees behind them and entered the plain, the violent wind hit them hard, yanking on their cloaks and trying to knock them off their feet. Its howls were shrilling and sounded like painful cries.

Above them, heavy black clouds were covering the sky, bringing the promise of a raging storm. In the middle of the plain stood an enormous construction that must have been a palace once. Now, most of its walls were crumbled, and rubble was covering the ground around it. But it still stood firm, defying the unstoppable time and all its attempts to bring it down. The dark shadows were swirling all around it menacingly.

'Are we sure we want to go there?' asked Arlo, tightening the grip on his axes.

'It doesn't look very inviting,' agreed Jayden.

'I will scout it,' said Myrica, her voice sure without any hesitation.

'That would be wise, yes,' agreed Marcus.

'I'm going with you,' said Arlo.

'No, you are not. You will slow me down,' protested the huntress.

'I wasn't asking you, Myr,' said the big man, not faltering under her glare.

'He's right, Myr, my dear,' interjected Marcus. 'I don't think you can sneak close enough and not get spotted. I think the Shadows can sense us easily enough. And you could certainly use Arlo's muscles.'

'Fine,' she huffed, rolling her eyes. 'Come, I do not wish to waste any more time.'

Arlo grinned at his companions and followed Myr's quick stride.

They backtracked a little to find shelter from the cruel wind behind the trees and sat on the ground waiting. Kara was pacing around them, her hand on the sword handle, her blue eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

'How are you holding up, Iris?' asked Marcus. 'Are you tired? Any concerns?'

'I'm all right,' the girl replied with a small smile. 'I am tired but not exhausted. I still can go on for a few hours, at least. Hopefully, we can find Kara's husband soon.'

'Let's hope so.'

They sat in heavy silence for a while. Iris' head was still throbbing, but either she already got used to it, or there was no immediate danger lurking for them around here. But she was still nervous. She was jumping on every louder rustling noise, expecting dark tendrils to catch her and drag away again. She shivered as she remembered a far too wide grin full of teeth so close to her face.

'Are you sure you all right, Iris?' asked Jayden. He sat next to her, looking at her intently.

She looked at him, surprised at the emotions she spotted in his dark eyes. Was that concern? For her? 'Yeah, I'm fine. This Shadow back there was creepy. Unfortunately, I had a close look at it....'

'Here,' he handed her a waterskin. 'Drink. You look pale.'

'Thank you.' She took a few sips, though she wasn't thirsty. Which was peculiar, considering they were wandering around the Shadow Realm for a while now. She couldn't exactly tell the time, as there was no sun nor moon here, but the tiredness of her muscles spoke volumes.

'I'm sorry,' Jayden said suddenly, his eyes fixed on the ground.

'What for?' she asked.

'I was right next to you when you got caught. But it happened so fast that before I managed to move, you already disappeared in those bushes.'

'Oh, don't worry about it. I was so surprised I didn't even manage to scream. Thanks to the Lord Sun, you were able to follow me.'

'Yeah, or rather thanks to Arlo and his axes,' Jayden said, looking back at her with a small smile. 'I was seriously scared for a second that you were done for.'

'That almost sounded like you were worried for me,' Iris teased him. She was grateful for the distraction.

'Tsk, I thought we would be stuck here forever. That what I was worried about, dummy!' he replied with a grin giving her a gentle nudge with an elbow.

'Of course, you did. You'd better stuck with me then, at least until we get out of here.'

'Well, I will have to endure it.'

They sat in silence for a while. Kara got back from her rounds at the border of plains.

'Get ready. Something is coming at us from the palace, and it's not Myr and Arlo.'

They rushed to the edge of the forest. Kara was correct - something was strolling purposefully in their direction. And it surely wasn't human. Marcus signalled them to draw their weapons and be on guard. As Iris lost her dagger in the last skirmish, she felt utterly useless.

'Stay behind me,' murmured Jayden.

As the figure approached, it was clear it was the Shadow, but it looked different than the last sentient specimen they've encountered. It was still too tall and skinny to be mistaken by a human, but it didn't look as starved as the one from the forest. Its posture was also different –it wasn't hunching, dragging his long arms low, but its back was straight as an arrow, and his slightly too big head held high. Iris couldn't help but feel like the creature had a kind of dignified air around it.

When it got closed enough to be heard, the Shadow raised its hands in the air. The claws on his hands were significantly smaller than his counterpart from the forest too. He looked more civilised.

'Pleassse, put down your weaponsss. I am but a humble messssenger. I mean you no harm!' Its voice was different too. More articulate, and while still making a hissing sound, it was easy to understand him.

'What do you want?' asked Marcus, not lowering his staff.

'I came to isssue an invitation. My massster wisssh to invite you to the palace. Your friendsss are already there.'

'If you hurt them, Shadow, I swear you'll regret it!' Kara growled, taking a step forward threateningly.

The creature raised its hands again. 'No harm hasss befallen them, I asssure you. Will you be ssso kind to follow me?'

'It's a trap,' spat Kara. 'It must be.'

'But this Shadow seems different,' said Iris stepping out from behind Jayden and tilting her head. 'It doesn't feel ominous like the one from back there. I don't sense any ill intent from it.'

The Shadow cocked its head and turned his burning red gaze to Iris. 'You are the Realmfarer then. It'sss true honour to make your acquaintance, my lady,' it said and slightly bowed its head.

'It does look and sounds peculiar,' said Marcus lowering his staff.

'You're not thinking of following it, are you?' asked Kara raising her brows at the old Mage.

'Pleassse, I sssswear to my honour we mean you no harm, lady Nightingale.'

Kara froze and slowly turned to the creature. Her blue eyes narrowed, and her whole body tensed. 'What did you just call me?'

The Shadow cocked its head again. 'Lady Nightingale? My massster told me a great deal about you.'

Kara paled visibly. 'What's the name of your master, creature?'

'Oh? I thought you knew it already—my apologiesss. My massster is none other than a great Mage Sssamuel.'

Picture by Phil from Pexels