Look for a magical solution

“Returning home will not help us,” says Adella. “If we are to find an answer to this curse, it will come from the magical community, not from the royal physicians.”

“But where will we find such help — assuming there even is a magical answer to begin with?” asks Courtney. “I have heard many stories about werewolves, but I have never heard of any that involve avoiding the curse of being bitten by one.”

“Perhaps there is no solution, but we must at least look,” says the princess. “Besides, it is not just about me; I could not live with myself if you ended up being pregnant by that monstrosity — especially knowing it was a direct result of your efforts to save my life. We are on the very edges of the Obsidian Forest, and if there is ever a place for finding obscure magic, it is here. Tegan referred to households in the area. Let us set out and ask whomever we find if they know of anything.”

“Very well, Your Highness. But please be cautious. Our run-ins with the inhabitants of these parts have not been fortuitous this far. We must not invite further trouble.”

The ladies gather their belongings together and mount their horse. The poor animal is tired and unwell from the night’s terrors, and with the extra burden of carrying two women and their possessions, it is slow going. The sun has risen and is midway in the morning sky by the time they come to a fork in the road.

Continuing in the same direction will take them over a hill. On the far side of the hill they can see a column of smoke rising. Whether from a campfire, a house, or some other source, they cannot tell from here. Taking the road to the left would take them directly into a deep and unknown portion of the forest.