AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then as if nothing happened, Solomonarul swooshed between us, and out the door, he went. Certain things never changed. Gabriel and I already knew he wouldn’t wait for us, so we bid our goodbyes to a flustered Teodora and ran after the weatherman. By the time we got out, Solomonarul already sat on his horse. “Hurry up. We don’t have all the time in the world.” He looked at us like a mighty cavalier and then rode on a gallop toward the woods. We sighed, sprinted toward our horses, and followed Solomonarul’s guidance.
The road to Muma Padurii’s hut felt nostalgic. So many adventures these woods had hosted. If it were for me, I would’ve marked every spot we ever encountered danger to celebrate our achievements. But time wasn’t on our side, so we focused on finding the sole person who could help us with the spell.
Once we reached the meadow, we realized what Solomonarul meant when he said the woods had suffered greatly. Patches of dry grass spread across the meadow, half of the trees dried out, and animal carcasses lay here and there. Nothing could prepare me for the wood’s deplorable state. “We have to do something about it,” I said as I kneeled next to a deer’s remains.
“There’s nothing to do.Ieleleprotect the forest from trespassers and invaders, but they cannot heal it from within. Muma Padurii held all the knowledge.”
“From the looks of it, no one stepped foot here in a long time. It’s clear she isn’t here. Thus there’s no reason to search for her today,” Gabriel said. “Simion, come to our house. We’ll drink some wine and talk.”
“I hadn’t had time to drink since the wedding. Teodora kept me busy if you know what I mean.” Solomonarul winked.
“We know very well what you mean,” I said and rolled my eyes.
“But I’ll be glad to visit your house. I still didn’t have a chance to do so.”
“Very well,” said Gabriel, and we all headed to our horses. “I still hadn’t asked you what happened to Marius after we defeatedstrigoiiat Tiberiu’s lair.”
For me, the last fight before time-traveling felt like decades ago, but it happened just last night.
“He was so devastated whenstrigoiialmost killed him and made you stay longer that he ran into the woods,” said Solomonarul.
“He’ll return. This as well will pass,” Gabriel said.
“I’m sure of it.” Solomonarul agreed.
Once we reached the house, Gabriel went to the cellar to get a few wine bottles while Solomonarul and I walked toward the house. Suddenly, Vincenta appeared in front of us. To see her roam around freely was an unusual sight. We always kept Vincenta in her own pen next to the horses or tied her when she grazed grass. At first, I thought she would run away through the main gates, but to my surprise, she approached me and nudged my hand to pet her.
“Such weird behavior,” said Solomonarul.
“Why do you say so? I taught her how it is to feel loved, so she is seeking more.”
“I don’t think so,” said Solomonarul and began inspecting Vincenta closer.
“What do you mean you don’t think so?” I asked, annoyed by his comment.
“I mean, her eyes seem very human.”
“Well, that’s the hard work I put into our bonding,” I said, feeling proud of myself.
“I’m sure you and the goat are close friends, but there might be something else happening here. My nose is smelling something strange,” Solomonarul said. “When did you start to feel this bond with the goat? Before or after we visited Muma Padurii?”
“You don’t think Vincenta is actually Muma Padurii, do you?”
“Many things are possible for the beings in The Other Realm. Let me try something.” As Solomonarul kneeled next to Vincenta, she began bleating as if in panic.
“Why is she bleating like that? Are you scaring her?” I asked.
“Don’t mind it. I simply need to find how to do it.” Solomonarul paid me no heed.
“Do what?”
“Ah, I see,” he said and started pulling hard at her horns.
“What are you doing? You’re hurting her,” I exclaimed desperately.
But once again, Solomonarul focused on the task at hand. Vincenta bleated so loud that Gabriel ran to us, fearing something nefarious had happened.
“One more tug and it will be done,” Solomonarul said to no one in particular. But his estimate was correct. After the last tug, Vincenta flew over his head, and in her place fell Muma Padurii. What in Houdini’s magic trick was this?
