A makeshift town of Athisz’s followers

With Minn’s tiny glow marking the way ahead, Lux focuses on staying alert for any possible danger. Or she tries to. The forest is quiet, empty, apart from the occasional rustle of an animal scurrying for cover, or the song of birds hidden above the canopy. Despite her best efforts, her mind does wander.

In some ways, her head feels clearer for the walk. But the overall atmosphere of the Valley is starting to take its toll – it’s hard to keep any sense of time in this place, or to fully trust the evidence of her own eyes. And then there’s the out-of-control horniness which, she would have to admit, has affected her too. Already she’s starting to daydream about what she’d do if Willow was walking with her right now – about sliding an arm around her waist, pulling her in close…

What will it be like when she finally leaves? Will she ever get to leave? If things go wrong, she could be stuck in this misty realm for a very long time.

That nagging thought is still going through her head as their path takes them towards a ridge overlooking a steep descent into the Valley below. It takes her a moment to notice that, up ahead, Minn has stopped moving – peering to take in an unfamiliar sight. Keeping her head down, Lux moves up to the ridge to see what lies ahead of them.

Down below, in what must be the base of the Valley, the mist parts around the citadel of the Erlking’s court – a rough building of massive stones, bound together by a tangle of heavy, ancient vines. Heavy banners hang down around it, the pelts of some great animals inscribed with the intricate linework of what Lux can only assume is fey heraldry. There are few windows, and from this angle Lux can only see one way inside, through a high, squared-off archway of rock-hewn slabs.

Around that main structure lies a kind of patchwork town, of tents and simple wooden buildings. Wooden logs lie in uneven piles, for more building or for fuel. As Lux looks closer, she makes out humanoid figures moving, and something about the manner in which they go about their business calls her mind back to what feels like a lifetime ago – when she came upon the village of Hollowstone, and saw its people under the effects of Athisz’s charm.

“She brought them over here,” she says, out loud. “So much for their brighter world.”

“Huh?” Minn seems to snap out of it, flitting a little from side to side to get a better view. “Yeah, that’s new. Haven’t seen so many mortals in ages. Bet the King’s satyrs have been having all kinds of fun with the womenfolk…”

Lux grimaces. “Come on,” she says, “let’s get a better look.”

Fortunately, the forested slope gives them plenty of cover as they pick their way down to the edge of the settlement. The buildings to which she now draws close look crudely built, but sturdy – here to stay. Patchwork shacks, of mismatched timbers clearly gathered from their surroundings, with little in the way of windows – built in patches wherever the ground was level-ish enough, with canvas tents dotted between. The air carries the smell of cookfires.

The closer she gets, the more Lux finds herself think about how long it must have taken to set all this up. It would seem she really did lose weeks recovering in Sylvia’s care within the dark maze. Athisz has not been idle in that time, and this town is the fruit of her followers’ effort. And now, if Sylvia and her followers try to attack, a lot of innocent villagers are going to be in their way.

Minn stops well back from where the buildings begin, taking cover behind a tree – uncharacteristically cautious. Lux draws up close by, alert for signs of trouble, although nobody seems to be looking their way. “What’s wrong?” she whispers.

“It’s the King,” Minn replies. “This is his realm – he’ll know if I go any closer. I swore a stupid oath to the stupid Queen, remember? He’ll know.”

Lux nods slowly. If she’s to try and enter the village, she’ll be going alone. A short way in, strung between two makeshift huts, she sees some clothes hanging up – maybe she could disguise herself, get a look around without any noticing that she’s not meant to be here.

Then she hears voices – heavy footsteps snapping twigs underfoot. She ducks closer down, ushering Minn to join her, and looks for the source of the sound. There – approaching the village, a small group, walking down the slope some distance away from where Lux and Minn are hiding. They’re all human, dressed no differently than if they were on their way to market, and they move in the lifeless, deliberate way Lux has come to associate with those Athisz has placed in thrall.

As they come towards the village, another group, similarly dressed, greets them. Their leaders exchange a few unheard words, and then the first group moves into the settlement while the other marches out the way they came.

One patrol or search party coming in, then, another going out. Lux watches the second group move off among the trees, soon to be out of sight of their allies. Perhaps she could get some information by tailing them instead…