From the moment we entered the forest, the light changed. It did not dim, but shifted in a way that feels intentional, as though the forest permitted only the amount of light and brightness it wishes us to have. The air grows heavier by the minute carrying along the faint smell of moss and smoke. The horses step with unusual care, their ears twist with every sound we are unable to hear.
We all tread in silence, walking until the branches grow closer and closer until the ground dips, opening up towards a shallow clearing, with just enough light gifted by the forest. Instructor Athea stops by the clearing, eyes scanning the area with a soldier's precision. She nods and announces this is where we camp.
The Beasthold hunters and scouts moved without hesitation, two began clearing a circular space for a fire and cooking pot while two more tied red cloth around trees as markers. I never noticed before, despite how basic their armour is, they each have intricate designs on their chestplate, marking their sin. All the scouts are marked with Deceit, the hunters marked with Wrath and Pride.
The rest of us and the remaining Beasthold begin to unpack our belongings and set up quarters for the night. Rell insists he sleeps in the same tent as me, in case Lucien decides to act and definitely not because the forest scares him although I convince him to sleep in his own tent. Seras Doirneach and Thorne Gowensen pitched up beside us while the rest of the students set up at the other end of the clearing, away from me.
Once we were prepared, jobs were handed out between us. I helped Orien with unloading salves and maps while the rest of the students were on wood duty. Rell makes a remark about myself getting the easy jobs because I'm good at polishing important people's quills. A rude remark, which made me smile and nearly laugh. He gives me the finger then walks off, Seras smiles at me and Thorne nods. I find it strange, people seeing me properly, Veyrin. Not Scarless.
Sometime later, Rell returns with an armful of dry branches and drops them beside the erected pit. ''This place feels like a tomb.''
''It feels alive, the exact opposite of a tomb.'' I replied. Eyebrow raised
''Yep exactly, that's what I mean my Lord.'' He winks.
Around us the rest of the students move quietly with their piles of branches for the rest of the fires. Kaelin Thrum and Marrek Dune argue about the silence that the forest produces.
''The forest is quiet, too quiet.'' Says Kaelin, kneeling by their newborn fire.
''Quiet is good, noise is chaos. Noise means something wants to be found.'' Marrek objected.
''Or, noise means something does not care if you hear it coming.'' Kaelin rebutted.
Seras paces the perimeter of the camp, eyes sharp and hands resting on her blade. She ignores the others but even the tension in her shoulders speaks clearly enough, she feels watched. Back and forth she paces until Instructor Athea orders her to rest, she will need it.
Lira examines the bark of a nearby tree with Ellis Veyth, the Headmaster's niece. Both Scholars in training, both blessed with the yearning for knowledge. Lira traces her fingers over the spirals formed on the bark, a groove too perfect to be natural.
''The rings twist back on themselves, this growth pattern should not exist. It looks as though the tree changed its mind halfway through growing.'' Lira remarks. Ellis leans in closer for inspection, followed by Thorne, apparently he's good with earth and nature, able to feel it.
''Nothing in this goddamn forest feels natural or behaves so.'' Ellis announces.
Their words dig into my spine, weighing me down. They're right, the moment we stepped into this Forest, It felt like it was watching us, gauging us. For what? I have no idea. I settle down on the fallen log made seat by the fire, hoping the heat will burn this feeling out of me. Or at least warm my bones. Rell and Seras sit beside me, Rell stretching his long legs towards the flames, sighing heavily.
''You look like someone shoved you into a grave and pulled you out again.'' He bantered.
''I have questions that require answers Rell.'' I say wearily.
''Then ask away old chap.'' He answers back.
I hesitate with the words stuck in my mouth, unsure how to structure my question. ''Why are you talking to me so much? You're noble. From House Arcrest. Your house has influence all across the cradle does it not? Most students treat you like the Paladin Prime reborn, so why me?''
Rell bursts out in laughter, loud enough to make Marrek and Lucien turn our way, then scowls at me like i've just insulted his family line.
''Hmm, Important. Yes. That is a grand title for my family but Arcrests care only for two things. Smoke and secrets. They pretend everything we do is mysterious and ancient, but half of it is exaggerated stories from ancestors long dead.'' He responds.
''That still gives you status.'' I replied.
''Nope, That gives my mother the title, and my brother the future. I'm just the leftover.''
''I talk to you because you do not speak like the rest of them. You do not act like you have something to prove and you do not treat me like a walking surname. That is rare.'' He leans back and continues.
''And you are honest, You took one look at this forest and admit you are uneasy. That is smarter than pretending to be brave.'' He smiles, head angled up while his eyes are closed.
Lucien pipes up and tells stories about Paladins and Beasthold members going missing here, only their equipment stack neatly in a perfect ring. The others believe he's just jesting. Calling it superstition at best. While Rell sits back up, leans in close and asks me if I've ever heard of the Ashveil.
''Scarless rebels.'' he says. ''Whole groups of them. People who ran or managed to escape. They hide in places like this, deep in the wilds and forests, where crowns cannot reach. Some say the forest protects them. Some say the forest eats them.'' he says.
I tell him that it just sounds like made up children's stories to keep them away from these areas. Yes the Scarless are treated poorly, but rebellion? A little we can do to fight.
''Most stories start with a truth. The Ashveil believe the Seven are parasites, feeding off the people. They aim to exorcise sins from this land. Rell answers back.
Seras agrees with Rell, telling stories from her father to avoid certain regions due to rebels being spotted. By this time I notice Thorne sitting by us, his massive frame taking up most of the log. I notice he does not speak much, but means well when he does. The four of us talk until Rell starts welcoming slumber, we decide maybe that it's time to sleep. The faculty have long since retired to their own tents, the other students too. Orien noticed me earlier, smiling, laughing and being involved. I don't think he wanted to interrupt this moment of peace as he entered his tent with a grin that could say a thousand words.
The only noise is the sound of the fire and snoring from Oriens tent. The only light also from the fire, illuminating our small space and not much else. My eyes dart back and forth while we stand and move towards our tents, Rell half asleep muttering nonsense. He says that something is out there, watching.
A soft shuffle of leaves, a low shift of weight. A whisper of something large circling just beyond the perimeter. Thorne straightens, his hand reaching for his sword. The Beasthold members on Nightwatch also stand, looking out into the sea of blackness.
Another sound drifts throughout the trees, a long dragging noise like breath pulled through a hollow trunk. Seras suggests we stay by the fire, taking it in turns to sleep. I volunteer first, as I feel no need to sleep at the moment.
''I think the forest is paying attention, and something within it has already noticed us.'' Seras shivered.
So I take the first watch, allowing the Lightscarred to rest in case they are needed. Instructor Athea rises every now again to check the perimeter and return for rest. Beyond the camp shapes move and blur, not enough to make sense but too clear to be imagined. A tall figure seems to be walking from tree to tree, a flicker of eyes too low to the ground and leaves crushed beneath something unknown.
Every time I try to focus they vanish, but I knew they were there. Waiting. Watching.
After a while, the sounds of clothes shifting and leaves under boots caught my attention, I turned and noticed Seras approaching, no doubt to change shifts. She lowers herself onto the log beside me.
''You should rest.'' She says.
I reply that I'm not tired, and she should return to sleep. For a few moments we said nothing. The fire cracked softly and a faint rustle swept through the trees, neither of us moved a muscle.
Seras asks me if this is my first time here, I answer honestly and not pretend to be brave. As Rell would say.
''Yes, my first time out of Crownspire.'' I answer.
Seras tells me this is not her first, but second. Apparently she made a trip with her father and sister once. Only once. A training expedition, one of many apparently, to help her with her Lightscar once it manifested. The Forest apparently hasn't changed, despite being deeper into it this time.
I question her about her burns from using her Lightscar.
''Does it hurt? You know, from using it?''
''Not as much as it used to, it's easier to numb yourself to pain once you're used to it. It used to bother me, I used to want to give up, despite the pressure from my Father but something changed.''
''I noticed something that gave me hope, a strength to move forward with fierce determination.'' She adds.
I question further, but it seems she doesn't like speaking about it. We talk for a while, she praises me for my bravery despite being Scarless, she doesn't say it out of mockery but actual praise. We spot more movement and eyes as time moves on, becoming more and more unnatural. I insist she rests to keep her strength, just in case. She says that I need company, someone to talk to, not be alone. I'm used to it.
Only once the forest fell silent again did Seras speak. "Do not sleep tonight," she said. "Not here."
"I will not," I replied. She stood, brushing dirt from her palms. For a moment she hesitated, looking down at me with a seriousness that felt entirely new.
"If something happens before dawn, call for me," she said.
"I will." She paused again. "And Veyrin?"
"Yes?" Her eyes softened. "You are not as invisible as you think."
She turned and went back to her tent, leaving me alone with the fire and the shadows that never stopped watching.