“What. The. Fuck,” was all Knox could say. He couldn’t quite place his anger. He had no idea why he was so pissed, but how could a woman and her child slip past them in the middle of the night? Why had they left?

Everyone packed up in silence. Knox glared at each man who had gone on watch during the night, wondering who had let them slip by. He glared at Tristen for probably scaring them off with his advances.

“Knox,” Jackson came up behind him. “I know you’re pissed and all, but maybe this is a good thing.” Knox looked at him, he didn’t care if this meant they could save on food rations. Jackson continued, “If they ran off, doesn’t that mean we’re either close to some sort of village, or we must be close to the edge of the forest? We’re getting somewhere,” Jackson smiled. Knox just nodded. He didn’t know how to react. He’d barely interacted with either the woman or her daughter, and yet he felt as if something was missing. Something was missing. They were. But why was that so important to him? Knox couldn’t figure himself out.

“How could you have just let them go like that?” Bernard came stomping up to Knox.

“What gave you the impression that I just let them go?” Knox responded angrily. The last thing he needed was anyone getting the idea that he didn’t have control over what was happening withing their group, but he also couldn’t believe he was being accused of letting their only lead go.

“Well they’re not here,” Bernard gestured to the camp.

“Well no fucking shit, but I think that it should be obvious that I didn’t have anything to do with it considering how I was the one to discover their absence.”

Bernard scoffed at Knox. “Perfect way to disguise letting them go if you ask me. You’re just jealous that I was getting to them and you weren’t!”

“What are you even talking about? Nobody got them to say anything!”

“Whoa, guys,” Jackson stepped in. “I honestly don’t know what’s going on, and not to pick sides or anything, but Bernard, you’re coming in out of nowhere with this shit. We all know you were obsessed with them the first moment you laid eyes on them, but it’s clear that they gave us the slip.”

Bernard scowled and moved to the back of the group.

The group continued on, marking their path as they went. Knox was convinced they would be at the next village by midday. The woman wouldn’t have brought her daughter into a forest that far. It was dangerous, and it was well known to the people who lived on its edge that those who went inside never came back. And even if they were natives living in the forest, Knox still didn’t think that a woman would bring her daughter that far away from home. He hated to admit it, but Bernard was right when he said that the two could be helpful to accomplishing their mission.

Knox was there to prove all the superstitions wrong. He had been ordered to find a path through the infamous trees to get to the other side and determine if it was faster to go through than go around, which could increase trading abilities majorly. The excursion had been in the making for over a year, as King Paxton had sent ambassadors back and forth across the sea to the kingdom on the other side. The kingdom had been skeptical, claiming that they had already tried it for years over generations, and had lost countless men because of it. Paxton was convinced that this other king’s men were to simple, and too fat from their leader’s expensive taste. A deal had been struck, if Paxton found a way through and created a path, he could own the path, but couldn’t stop others from being made. King Paxton had wasted no time in putting a team together, and Knox had fought to get appointed as the leader of the expedition.

“Sir,” Bay brought Knox back to the present, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. “I just thought you should know that a few of us in the back noticed that we’re being followed.”

“Is it by those two?” Knox resisted the urge to turn around and look.

“We aren’t sure, but I don’t think so. Looked smaller.”

Knox nodded. “Keep an eye out, and be discreet when you tell the others. Whatever it is, it could be dangerous.”

Bay dropped away to let a few more of the group pass, whispering to them as they did. Knox glanced from tree to tree, watching for a silvery eye to peek out, but there was none. Knox finally motioned for the group to rest, using the opportunity to search the area for their supposed follower.

Instead of a silver eye, or even a green one, a dull brown peeked out from behind a tree. Knox, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, moved closer. Before it could disappear, Knox lunged, grabbing a fistful of dull sandy hair and dragged a little boy out from behind the tree. The little boy shrieked and tried to pull away, his tiny fists flailing as he tried to hit Knox. Knox held him at arm’s length, waiting for him to calm down.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Knox raised his voice to be heard over the little boy’s angry cries.

“This is who was following us?” Mathew scoffed.

“There seems to be a whole lot of children running around out here,” Sven murmured behind his flask.

“Put me down!” the boy shrilled.

“Only if you promise to stay and answer some questions and not run off,” Knox bent to look the boy in the eyes. Bernard was already pulling out his notebook with anticipation.

“Fine,” the boy pouted. Knox dropped him to the forest floor where he landed with a slight thud.

“What’s your name kid?”

“Brandon,” he wiped his nose on his sleeve.

“Why were you following us?”

“Because I’ve never seen you before.”

“Do you live out here then?”

“Of course, I do. Where else do you think I would live?”

“How about not inside this forest? Are you even human?” Nicholas butted in.

“What else would I be other than human?” Brandon looked shocked. “You don’t think I’m one of them, do you?” he shuddered.

“Who are you talking about?” Knox asked, but the boy just shook his head. “Alright, is there anyone else living with you?” Knox switched topics.

“Yes, my momma, pops, and sis.”

“Could you take us to them? I would love to meet your family.”

The boy hesitated before he agreed.

The group picked up their packs and followed after the little boy, who kept a steady pace jogging ahead of them.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Jackson hissed.

“It’s not like we’re getting anywhere just wandering around like we were before.”

“This is way too risky! You don’t even know if that kid is human. He could be leading us into a trap,” Jackson fumed.

“This whole trip is a suicide mission. We’re bound to run into trouble sooner or later, and like I said, we aren’t getting anywhere going the way we were. At least this way we might actually learn something.”

“How could you know we weren’t getting anywhere before? Stupid decisions like this could be the whole reason nobody has made it out before.”

“Would you prefer to stay behind?” Knox continued walking. Jackson only huffed in response and fell into step behind him. They both knew that if anyone left the group, it was likely they would never be seen again, if only because of the inability to find their way around the dense forest. It was the only reason the group hadn’t already gone their own ways.

Brandon led them to a small house nestled among the trees. He rushed forward and shoved his way into the front door, shouting to his mother the whole time.

“Mamma! I found some people in the woods!” A small plump figure appeared, Brandon dragging her by the hand out the door. He pointed at Knox and his group. “Mamma, they wanted to meet you and Pops.”

The woman wiped her hands on her apron and smiled, stepping forward. “Gentlemen, it’s been so long since we’ve had visitors, please come inside,” she hesitated for a moment. “Although, perhaps it would be better if you stayed out here,” she eyed them and looked back at the tiny house.

“Please, Ma’am, we don’t mean to intrude, it’s just been so long since we’ve seen anyone else around here, and we were pleasantly surprised when we saw your boy here,” Knox tried to ignore the state he and his men were in, knowing they looked like a complete mess.

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all! Brandon,” the woman turned to the boy who clung to her skirt. His ears perked at the sound of his name. “Will you go tell your father to bring out the guest table? We’ll be eating supper outside.” Brandon nodded and ran off, disappearing around the side of the house. “I do apologize, it’s been so long since we’ve had so many guests.”

“Is there a village nearby?” Knox glanced around but all he saw was dense forest.

“No, our neighbor is about another mile south. You must have just missed them if you didn’t see their house. Are you not following the path?”

“Uh,” Knox tried not to look too confused. “No, we’re not. We honestly weren’t aware of any path.”

“Ah, a bunch of bushwhackers lookin’ to make a new one, aye?” an older man came around from the side of the house, dragging a large wooden table behind him. Knox nodded to Bay and Taylor, who rushed forward to help carry the piece of furniture.

“My thanks to ya,” the man nodded and turned to face Knox properly. “So, how long have ya been out ‘ere?”

“A couple of weeks now. How long have you and your family lived in the forest? Isn’t it dangerous?”

“We been ‘ere for so long, I don’ even remember. It’s not as dangrus as it use’ ta be. We got the am-let, see, an’ ever since we ain’ had too many pro’lems.” The man wiped his hands on his pants and motioned for them to follow him. “Frien’s call me Diblin, by the way. Wife’s Cetas, an’ I ‘ear you al’eady met my boy Brandon. Gotta little girl too, name’s May.” Diblin chattered on as he led the group to a shed behind the house and started pulling out chairs. They carried them back to the front, placing the chairs around the table. Cetas appeared and placed a large pot in the center. A little girl was clinging to Cetas’s skirt, as Brandon dutifully followed his father around.

Knox and his group grabbed their bowls from their packs and brought them to the table. Diblin offered Knox the seat opposite him at the end of the table. The man may live out in the middle of the woods, Knox noted, but he knew table etiquette.

Cetas took his bowl from in front of him and began to ladle from the pot. When she set the bowl back down in front of him, he glanced down. The thought of a homecooked meal making his mouth water. Cetas went around to each spot, going through the same motions at each, placing the bowls down in front of each man with great care.

“I know it’s not much, bu’ a homecooked meal will a’ways beat wha’ ya en’ up eatin’ ou’ there on the trails. Dig in,” Diblin gestured as Cetas took her seat. To Knox’s amazement, Diblin’s family began digging into their bowls. They shoveled their empty spoons into their mouths with enthusiasm. Knox picked up his own spoon and scooped it into his empty bowl. Knox’s men gave each other quizzical looks but followed Knox’s example, pretending to eat out of their empty dishes.

Knox waited until Diblin pushed his bowl away from him and followed suit.

“So, tell us some news from the ou’side world, wha’s happenin’ out there?” Diblin leaned back, patting his stomach.

“Well, I’m not sure where to start,” Knox hesitated. “We weren’t expected to see any humans out here. Everyone who goes in never returns.”

“Ne’er returns? Whaddya mean by that? How can no one return if they don’ go in? We haven’ seen anyone out ‘ere in ages.”

“Everyone who enters the forest is presumed dead. My party is the first in years to have been sent in on official business.”

“Tho’e damn silver eyed bastards,” Diblin thumped his fist on the table. “A’ways up ta no good,” he made a decisive nod.

“Silver eyed bastards?” Knox glanced at Jackson. “Would you care to explain a little more?”

“Yeah, you better watch ou’ for them. They mean trouble. We chased ‘em oudda ‘ere a while back, ‘aven’ seen ‘em since.”

“Pops, we got that am-let too,” Brandon interjected, clearly proud of his contribution to the grownup’s conversation.

“Tha’s right,” Diblin nodded in agreement.

“What amulet are you referring to? What does it do exactly?”

“The lady gave it ta us for protection, ‘aven’ seen ‘er since. Silver eyes pro’ly got ‘er or somthin’. Too damn bad, she was always a nice one. Disappeared right afta she gave us the am-let. She pro’ly knew somthin’ was up afta that fire. Shouldda known it was a farewell present. Wouldda tried to help or somthin’.”

“What does this woman look like?” Knox tried to keep Diblin on topic.

“Ah, prettier than anyone ya ever saw. Got them pretty green eyes. Not much of a talker, but Cetas ‘ere says she got the prettiest voice, like ‘earin’ a lullaby ya momma sung at ya be’side.” Cetas nodded, confirming her husband’s exclamation.

“Interesting, and can you tell us a bit more about these ‘silver eyes’ you keep mentioning?”

“Kee’ away from ‘em if ya can. They ain’ nothin’ but trouble. They got silver eyes an’ tho’e pointed ears. Got kinda sharp teeth too if I recall. Mischievous devils. Try an’ lure ya into they traps an’ do all sorts a weird craft to get ya to serve them, then they eat ya when ya least expec’ it.” Diblin was leaning forward, making eye contact around the table. Knox wasn’t sure if he should laugh or not.

“Well, I believe we met the woman you referred to, as well as one of the so-called ‘silver-eyes,’” Bernard said coolly, watching for their host’s reaction. Diblin turned his focus on Bernard. “They were together, and seemed quite attached.”

“Bes’ be careful. Get ‘er alone an’ you’re fine, but them silver-eyes are killers.” Cetas shuddered and her daughter clung tight to her arm. “They go’ ‘er under some kinda spell,” Diblin continued. “Usin’ ‘er for somthin’ and she pro’ly can’ get away. Might no’ even know to get away.”

“Well,” Knox stood up. “We appreciate all of your hospitality, but we won’t intrude on you and your family any longer.” Knox wanted nothing more than to get away from Diblin and his home. The man may be right about the two women, but there was no denying he was at least a little crazy. Diblin stood and approached Knox, reaching out to shake his hand. Knox had to stop himself from flinching away as the man touched him. Diblin’s skin was stone cold. Knox gave him an uneasy smile and backed away.

As the group shouldered their packs, Diblin gave them one last warning to stay away from the ‘silver eyes’ before sending them on their way.