Dark Wood: Legends of the Guardians Read Online Free

found if we do not move!” Aryaunna hissed at them anxiously.
    “The
Church was designed like any other castle. We are at the outer curtain. Tis a
solid wall, but the corner bastions are hollow with stairs up to the allure.”
Elizabeth was of course brilliant in her logic. Still yet…
    Lena
and Elizabeth eyed the wall, gauging the height. “Either way we have guards to
face,” Aryaunna whispered anxiously before giving into a nervous habit of
biting her knuckles.
    “Stop
that, Ary.” Elizabeth bat her hand away as she scolded. “The bastion will keep
us hidden. We can get to the allure and go down from there.”
    “How
do we do that? Fly?” Aryaunna scoffed.
    Elizabeth’s
eyes narrowed on her sister. “The wall isn’t too high. The snow will break our
fall.” She looked to Lena with nervous hope. “Lena, we follow your lead.”
    “Very
good. Elizabeth will watch the yard. Aryaunna, you will watch for my signal.
When everything is clear I will wave for you to make run for the tower.”
    “You’d
take them by yourself?” Aryaunna looked half astounded.
    “What,
would you prefer to have the fun of slicing their throats?” Lena smiled
wickedly, as if the very thought amused her. Balking, Aryaunna looked away. In
thought, she was brave enough. To do so was another story. Lena’s smile
softened as she pulled a blade from her tall boot beneath her skirt. “It’s all
right, Aryaunna. This is why I have come.”

    By
the time they made it to the forest the moon was high in the sky. Elizabeth
made work to hide her limp with every step they made, refusing to complain even
when asked. The snow did cushion their fall, but not enough.
    The
winter woods were a quiet place. Sensational, yet frightening. By just the
light of the moon reflecting off the blanket of fallen snow one could see their
every step and yet the canopy of trees cast everything into shadow. The only
sound was the owl that called to them. Aryaunna could feel it watching them,
and for it she felt safer.
    The
Thuringian forest edged the chiefdom of Kenan, where the Magistrate ruled. The
woodland spread out like a vast ocean. The surrounding forest was a peaceful
place where hunters roamed. It was what lie deep in the Thuringian that both
frightened and intrigued Aryaunna-the Hollow, and beyond it, the Dark Wood.
“Where are we going?” Elizabeth questioned low to her sister, shy of the worry
in her voice.
    The
hood of Elizabeth’s cloak had cast her gaze in shadow. Aryaunna’s only response
was the tender reassuring smile for her sister. Elizabeth’s cool hand clasped
her sister’s tightly. If Lena had heard, once again she had chosen not to
respond. Perhaps it was the way of Drow. Perhaps it was just Lena.
    Time
seemed to have stopped in the woods. Perhaps it had frozen along with the rest
of the world. Elizabeth could no longer hide the limp in her ankle. It was a
worry that ate at Aryaunna for she could do nothing for it. “Ary, enough. I
will be fine. We have to get away from the Church. The further away we are the
safer we will be. I have suffered worse,” in a quiet breath she answered her
sister’s never ceasing questions.
    “Elizabeth
is right. Do not worry. We will be there before the red dawn rises.” Lena’s
words were whispered, yet seemed to come from everywhere.
    “And
where exactly is ‘there’?” Aryaunna called ahead as Lena walked faster than
they were able.
    Before
Aryaunna could see her move, Lena stood facing her. “Keep your voice quiet. We
are not safe yet.”
    “You
said once we made it to the forest you could keep us safe,” the panic in
Aryaunna’s voice betrayed her nerves.
    “In
my woods, yes. We are not there yet. Your answers will come soon, Emissary.
Even the ones you have not asked for.” Turning her back again, she walked on. The
minutes had turned to hours as the night continued endlessly. It was Aryaunna’s
worry for her sister that tired her so. She’d never slept much.
    The
moon was now