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There was so much between me and the castle, it would take days to get there, especially on foot. But I would not let that deter me. I would get to the castle and confront the Goblin King.
The edge of the cliff loomed as I looked down. Although it was not a long way down, it still was a long way to fall if I lost my grip. It was enough that it caused my head to spin as the world dropped away before me. The height suddenly became more and more terrifying to me. There was no other way down though- at least not for miles.
I did not have that kind of time either. The sooner I reached the castle, the better. The sooner I got there, the sooner I could go home. I would have to scale the side of the rock to reach the bottom. If I did fall, the trees at the base would not cushion me at all. The lack of leaves and the rocks that scattered the ground were a recipe for injury.
Possibly even death. . . Fantastic.
As I stood there, looking down at the steep cliff face in front of me, I knew that my dress and slippers would be a hindrance to my descent. The tattered hem would surely snag on the rough edges of the rock, and my slippers would offer no traction. With a heavy sigh, I hesitantly slipped off my slippers and tossed them over the edge, watching as they disappeared from sight.
With one final huff of breath I began my descent, gripping the edge of the rock firmly with both hands and lowering myself down. As my legs swung over the edge, I felt my heart pounding in my chest. With the tips of my toes, I could feel a small lip in the cliff face, and I shifted my weight to it cautiously. Suddenly, the rock shifted beneath my feet, causing my breath to catch in my throat. I closed my eyes tightly and whispered, “Please don’t fall, please.” Slowly, I opened my eyes and checked again to make sure the rock wouldn’t shift again.
Firm.
The rock was firm and did not budge. I was able to breathe again but my heartbeat increased in tempo as I worked my way down the side. Slowly testing each spot carefully before putting any weight on the rock face. My fingers screamed with each ticking second it took me to get to the bottom. I had been lucky so far, but my luck was about to run out. The rock under my foot suddenly gave way, my hand slipped from a ledge as I plunged.
A scream lodged in my throat.
My body slammed against the jagged rock, my limbs flailing as I desperately sought anything to stop my fall. Pain seared through my fingers, arms, and legs as they scraped against the rough surface. In my peripheral vision, I caught sight of a tree branch jutting out from the side. I reached out for it, the tips of my fingers barely brushing against it. The branch seemed so close yet so far away. With a burst of energy, I propelled myself towards it, my fingers finally clasping tightly around it.
Relief washed over me as I clung to the branch, my heart pounding in my chest. But the pain persisted, my hands throbbing with every beat. Blood dripped from my fingertips, staining the rock below. I gazed down, watching as the rocks tumbled down the cliff, their echoes piercing the silence.
Surveying the immediate area, I searched for anything else to grab onto, but the branch began to bend under my weight. Panic surged through me as I realized the ground was closer than I thought. I had fallen farther than I had anticipated.
My options were limited.
I could either climb down the rest of the way and risk another rockslide or take a leap of faith. Every inch of my body ached, my feet scraped up from the rough terrain, my hands barely clinging on. Blood streamed down the side of my face, the warmth of it a stark contrast to the cool air. I knew I had hit my head at some point.
My dress was in tatters, the silk organza sleeves and overlay completely shredded. The hem was ripped in several locations, the once-beautiful fabric now in ruin. But in that moment, I didn't care about the dress. I dangled from the side of the cliff, battered and bruised, my grip slipping as I struggled to hang on.
Yes. I thought ironically to myself.This was exactly how I had planned to die.
This did not bode well for me, for how the rest of this would go. I could sense the foreshadowing in this, the outcome and fate as if it were mocking me. There was so much ground to cover between here and the castle and I would die right here. So early into this.
Foolish.
I was so foolish for accepting his offer. What had I agreed to? What was Ithinking? I hadn’t been. Ihadn’tbeen thinking. I had been so desperate to escape from Kaston, from the Conwell’s, from the stares and hushed whispers. From the masquerade ball. That I had not considered how dangerous this would be. I had been so desperate to get answers. And now I was paying the price.
My eyes widened in terror as the branch creaked and groaned under my weight. Sweat and blood mixed on my palms, making it nearly impossible to keep my grip. I could feel my fingers slipping, inch by inch, and my heart pounded in my chest. “Oh no,” I gasped, as the branch gave way again, now almost vertical.
My mind raced as I desperately searched for a solution. I couldn't hold on much longer, but the ground was too far below for me to survive the fall. My only choice was to take a leap of faith and hope for the best.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself for the jump. The wind whipped past me, making my hair fly in all directions. With one final burst of courage, I let go of the branch and plummeted towards the trees below.
The world spun around me as I fell, and for a moment, I felt weightless. Even as I crashed through the branches and trees below
ChapterTwelve
THE GOBLIN KING
Perched high above the trees, I surveyed the landscape below, my wings tucked in closely- my black feathers glistening in the warm sun. The wind blew through me, sending shivers down my spine while the fresh air caressed my senses, invigorating me with a sense of freedom that I savored with every passing moment.
From this vantage point, I could see everything- from the smallest creatures scurrying about to the grandest landmarks looming in the distance. In this form I was free. They were moments of pure bliss, a time when I could soar freely without any hindrance or restraint, and I relished it with all my being.
Despite the peacefulness of my surroundings, my mind couldn't help but dwell on the girl who had fallen down the cliff. She was lucky to have survived the fall, but it was her recklessness that had caused her to end up in that situation in the first place.
Watching her from my vantage point, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger and frustration and even a hint of guilt course through my veins. It caused my feathers to ruffle in agitation. Although she had not needed my help to survive the fall, I couldn't help but feel that I should have done something more to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Perhaps I could have warned her of the danger or guided her to a safer path. But as much as I wanted to blame her for her recklessness, I knew deep down that it was not entirely her fault. She was new to this world, and she had much to learn about the dangers that lurked around every corner.
