Dwellers of the Forest

Celeste had heard whispers about what lurked in the forest, why everyone who entered never recalled what happened inside, and yet she was rushing toward it, a burning castle in her wake. Her heart had always yearned for a mere glimpse and now that it was finally happening, it was overwhelming. Warm fingers around her wrist tugged her forward, "We're almost there, princess. Just a little more." Urgent shouts and barks rang behind them, coming closer and closer. Celeste focused on the armored back in front of her, but tears blurred her vision. "Who are you?" She whimpered. "Why is this happening?" "Shhh," a female voice said. "It'll be over soon. One step at a time, okay? I'll explain everything later."  She was right. Only a few more steps and they would be shrouded in a thicket of trees. Celeste pushed through her aching legs and hammering fear, wondering if her family was dead. They had been ambushed.  The barks became louder, and in the darkness Celeste saw silhouettes of bulky dogs closing in on them, snapping their jaws in hopes of burying into flesh and bone. Cursing under her breath, the guard swiftly yanked Celeste in front of her and kicked a dog's face in. She unsheathed her sword and waved it around to keep the dogs at bay. Still, one managed to sink its teeth into the her leg, conveniently where no armor protected her. Her face twisted with suppressed pain and she punched it until it let go.   "No." Celeste had glanced over her shoulder and paused at the sight of blood.  "Don't stop," the guard snapped, pushing her. "I'm right behind you." Once they made it inside the forest, the guard pulled out an object in the darkness and blew. The last thing they saw before roots sprouted out of the dirt and formed a thick, impenetrable wall was a group of shadowy men standing a few feet away, watching as the impossible was made possible before their eyes. In a way, it was a victory.  But-- The guard collapsed and sighed in relief. "Thank god. They heard us." "Who did?" Celeste asked cautiously. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness but there wasn't much to see, only layers and layers of towering trees, bushes, and various types of flowers. She stared at the root wall. "You trapped us in." "Trapped?" The stranger made an indignant noise. "I just saved your life. You could be a little more grateful." Grateful?  Anger flared deep within Celeste. Grateful?  "My entire family is probably dead and I'm in a forest I've been forbidden from crossing my entire life. Not to mention with a complete stranger." "I'm not stranger," the other woman held up her hands in a non-threatening gesture. "I'm Aerwyn. I'm on your side." "Bullshit. I don’t recognize you as one of the guards yet you wear their armor and happen to conveniently be there when the attack broke out? Thank you for saving my life,” she crossed over to Aerwyn’s side, removed the red ribbon tied around her ponytail, and wrapped it around Aerwyn’s wound. She squeezed a little harder than necessary and leaned in. “Now let me save yours. Then you tell me everything.” "You can't--" "What?" "I need to put water on the wound, at least. To prevent infection." Celeste's shoulders slumped. "Is there a lake nearby?" "Up ahead," Aerywn shrugged but her face twisted with discomfort. "Can you walk?" "Limp is a better word" "Allow me to assist you, then." Celeste slung Aerwyn's arm around her shoulders, held her hand, and slowly rose. "Is that better?" "Don't worry about me. Just take me to the water." As they walked through the dark forest, Celeste felt invisible eyes boring into her. Her tears had dried and now she could think.