Marwynn opened his eyes and the morning came into focus. It was still dark but the sun was impatiently calling over the horizon. Declan was gently snoring and still fast asleep. Muriel looked as though she had not moved an inch, her eyes were still closed and her face was still flawless. Marwynn noticed that Smudge was missing and surmised he must have scampered off into the night. He fought the urge to awaken her and instead traced the outline of her face with his eyes. He rested his eyes back onto hers. Muriel’s eyelashes fluttered open revealing her golden brown eyes. She held his gaze for what felt like an eternity.

  Declan stirred, stretching his arms and rolling towards them. Marwynn stood up and started gathering his belongings turning from Muriel. After a few minutes they were all packed up and headed back towards the road.

  “Muriel, I was being serious, I want you to go home.” Marwynn said with as stern a voice as he could muster.

  “You cannot force me to return.” She simply stated.

  Declan chimed in, “Marwynn is right, it will not be safe for you.”

  “Who asked you” Muriel spat.

  Marwynn faced her and boldly stated “Go home Muriel.”

  “Do not pretend to know what is best for me.” She turned her head to the side avoiding Marwynn’s cold gaze. They walked a few moments in silence. Declan pointed to the road before them and asked “What are those?”

  Black carriages and swarms of men with covered faces were covering the road. Muriel began shaking and grabbed onto Marwynn’s arm, “Th..th..they are far from North Moon..”

  Marwynn whispered, “Shadows.”

  Declan who had never seen a Shadow before firmly stated, “My father would not allow them here.”

  “They don’t take orders from your father.” Marwynn explained.

  “Can we not turn around?” Muriel shivered.

  “It is unlikely we have not been spotted with there being so many, we would look suspicious and they would pursue us. It’s better to act normal.” Marwynn mumbled.

  “Will they know who I am?” Declan shivered.

  “I doubt it, they are more than likely looking for more creatures.” Marwynn said.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Declan confused, asked “What do you mean?”

  Muriel chimed in, “have you been living under a rock? Everyone knows that the shadows are rounding up the mythical folk and will stop anyone that gets in their way. I am a little confused because I thought they only worked at night.”

  “They were. Something must have happened to the king for the Lady to give them authorization during the day.” Marwynn ventured.

  “The lady? Do you mean Lady Revna?” Declan asked.

  “Yes, Is the Lady an ally of your brother?” Marwynn inquired.

  “No she hates him, the last time we were all together, he tried to have her arrested for treason.” Declan said.

  “We must tread carefully then.” Marwynn shuddered.

  As naturally as possible, Declan, Muriel, and Marwynn edged forward to the beckoning shadow.

  The shadow with a hawklike mask in a hollow voice called “State your name and purpose.”

  “Marwynn and company traveling to Greenview for supplies.” He answered.

  Leaning in, the shadow peered through his mask at “Marwynn. You look familiar, have we met?”

  Marwynn curtly said “no.”

  Moving closer, the shadow sneered “Where are you from?”

  Marwynn stood his ground “that is of no consequence.”

  “I will decide that, I repeat, where are you from” the shadows demeaner changed to militant.

  Glancing back at Declan and Muriel, he quietly sputtered “Nettlewood.”

  The shadow moved so close that Marwynn could feel the heat of his breath. Sneering, he growled “I knew it, you’re the fly.”

  The shadow grabbed for Marwynn’s arm, but Marwynn’s training made it easy to deflect. Marwynn turned towards Muriel and screamed at them, “RUN!”

  Muriel and Declan turn to run but it was too late, the shadows were already surrounding them. Three shadows were struggling to keep ahold of Marwynn. Declan put his hands out instinctively and Muriel crouched behind him. Marwynn broke loose but when he saw that Muriel and Declan were both caught, he gave in willingly. The tree of them were brought to the nearest carriage. The hawklike shadow spoke “the Lady will be pleased to see you fly.”

  One after another, they were tossed into the carriage. It was a small space with only one other occupant who seemed content to ignore what was going on around him. His face was covered by the hood of a cloak and he made no move to remove it. Once in, the door slammed behind them and they heard the sound of the rusty key being driven into the hole and turned.

  Muriel sat down and leaned against the wall of the carriage. She looked towards Marwynn who was sitting with his knees bent and his body slouched. Covering his face, Marwynn did not want to look at either Muriel or Declan. Declan broke the silence first, “Why did he call you a fly?”

  Marwynn did not respond so Muriel filled in for him, “that is what they call a shadow that has run away from his post.” Turning back to Marwynn, Muriel asked, “Are you a shadow?”

  Sullen and unable to move or speak, Marwynn remained silent. Muriel persisted, “Marwynn?”

  Without looking up Marwynn chewed on his lip, “Yes, I mean, I was.”

  A look of horror and disbelief broke across Muriel’s face. She had never imagined that Marwynn could be involved in such an evil force. “But.. Why, How?” she stammered.

  “It does not matter now, I left and I’m not going back.” Marwynn determined.

  In the corner, the hooded figure broke his silence, “well that’s a relief.”