Enter the Darkwood

Despite getting less sleep than anticipated, a surge of excitement replaces any hint of nervousness as you rise early to embark on your quest. Seeking provisions and rations, you make your way to the local store, where the talkative old shopkeeper nearly talks your ear off. Swiftly explaining the urgency of your mission, you manage to escape his ramblings and avoid losing precious hours of daylight.

Following the trail that leads towards the Darkwood, you find yourself accompanied by the early-rising and hardworking lumberjacks of the village. Engaging in lively banter and enduring countless inquiries about your armor and sword, you share laughter with the lumberjacks along the way, appreciating their camaraderie.

As the lumberjacks set to work, you bid them farewell and continue on a more untamed path, venturing deeper towards the location where John believed Samuel had gone missing. Rumor has it that Samuel was a daring explorer, often venturing into territories that few dared to tread. His confidence, nurtured by years of exploration, would be a quality you'd need to embody today.

The distant sound of chopping gradually fades into the background as you focus on recalling the directions provided by John. Navigating your way through the towering Darkwood trees, you encounter thickets that obstruct certain paths. Rather than spending the entire day hacking through them with your trusty blade, "Roses Thorn," you opt to maneuver around them, determined to conserve time and energy.

Soon, your attention is caught by two trees that have grown at peculiar angles, intertwining to form an arch, resembling a gate as John had described it. Recognizing this landmark, you feel a surge of confidence and reassurance, knowing that you are on the right track to unravel the mysteries hidden within the depths of the Darkwood.

Taking a moment to compose yourself, you inhale deeply before embarking on a thorough search of the surrounding area, hoping to uncover any clues related to Samuel's disappearance or the possible presence of a threat. The invaluable knowledge passed down to you by the gamekeeper of your House, a wise and generous mentor, resonates in your mind. Grateful for his teachings, you navigate the terrain with a trained eye, methodically scanning for signs and tracks.

While scouring the vicinity, you also keep an eye out for familiar gathering spots where Samuel might have collected mushrooms and herbs. Your diligent search reveals a few areas where such plants thrive. Determined to leave no stone unturned, you meticulously examine the soil and surroundings, yet your efforts yield no immediate results. Feeling the weight of disappointment, you decide to take a brief respite from the search, allowing yourself a moment to rest and consume a ration pack for sustenance.

As you consume your modest meal, your gaze inadvertently falls upon a peculiar sight—a Darkwood tree with a section of missing bark, located approximately 40 feet away from your current position. The immense size and resilience of Darkwood trees are renowned, which makes the sight all the more intriguing. Something has clearly struck the tree with considerable ****, leaving behind splintered bark and dented wood. The thought crosses your mind that this could be the result of a powerful blow or perhaps a young man being thrown into it.

Curiosity piqued, you approach the tree, kneeling down to inspect the overgrown grass that conceals the ground. Parting the vegetation, you discover a small bag, torn open and spilling its contents of herbs onto the ground. It becomes evident that this bag belongs to Samuel—an observation that elicits conflicting emotions within you. On one hand, you feel a sense of accomplishment, realizing that your training has led you to this vital discovery. On the other hand, a wave of concern washes over you, considering that something may have indeed attacked or even killed Samuel. However, the absence of blood or a body raises questions—did Samuel flee or was he taken away by his assailant?

Determined to unravel the mystery, you lower yourself onto the ground, imagining Samuel's hypothetical position and searching for any discernible signs. Your trained instincts pay off as you spot subtle indications—a torn and disturbed patch of grass, suggesting that someone was dragged in this direction. Though time has caused the area to heal to some extent, your lessons have honed your ability to interpret such subtle clues. Confident in your deduction, you rise from the ground and begin following the trail, tracing the path where you believe Samuel was dragged, steadfast in your pursuit of answers.