Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past

The forest seemed to stretch forever, the dense canopy above blocking most of the sunlight, casting the world in a constant twilight state. Bernyce’s feet ached, and her body was still adjusting to the weight of the strange woolen dress that clung to her in the humid air. Every step felt heavier, but Bleddyn’s determined pace left little room for complaint.

They had been walking for hours, and though the immediate danger had faded, Bernyce couldn’t shake the tension coiling in her chest. The bracelet was tucked away beneath her dress, but she could still feel its presence, like a steady hum against her skin. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was something ancient, powerful, and possibly deadly.

“Maeve,” she said, finally breaking the silence. “What kind of mage is she? Can we trust her?”

Bleddyn didn’t slow his pace or glance back at her, but his voice was low and steady when he replied. “Maeve has been an ally to the kingdom for years. She knows more about the old magic than anyone else, and if anyone can help you understand that bracelet, it’s her.”

“But can we trust her?” Bernyce pressed, sensing a hint of hesitation in his tone.

This time, Bleddyn slowed just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes shadowed. “Maeve… is complicated. She’s not exactly known for her loyalty to anyone but herself, but she’s powerful. And right now, we need her.”

Bernyce frowned, her unease growing. The name Maeve lingered in her thoughts, prickling the back of her mind with a sense of foreboding. She couldn’t explain why, but something about this woman didn’t sit right with her.

As they continued walking, Bleddyn finally broke the silence again, his voice softer this time. “You need to be careful with her. She has her agenda. And if she sees an opportunity in that bracelet, she’ll take it.”

Bernyce’s grip tightened on the fabric of her dress where the bracelet was hidden. “Why do I feel like I’m walking into something bigger than I understand?”

Bleddyn gave her a grim smile. “Because you are.”

They walked silently after that, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them. Bernyce’s mind spun, trying to process everything that had happened and what lay ahead. She was in a world she didn’t belong to, carrying a relic she didn’t understand, and the only person who could help her might be more dangerous than anyone else.

After a while, the trees began to thin, and the forest opened to reveal a small valley dotted with the occasional cluster of thatched cottages. Smoke rose lazily from chimneys, and for a moment, the peaceful scene before them seemed at odds with the chaos Bernyce had just escaped.

“We’re close,” Bleddyn said, pointing toward a small house nestled at the valley’s edge, its stone walls partially hidden by thick ivy. “That’s where Maeve lives.”

Bernyce studied the house as they approached, her heart racing. There was something eerie about it, though she couldn’t quite place what. Maybe it was the way the ivy seemed to twist unnaturally around the stone or how the air felt heavier the closer they got.

Bleddyn knocked on the door, his hand firm against the weathered wood. For a long moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.

A tall and striking woman stood in the doorway, her long dark hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. Her sharp and intelligent eyes swept over Bernyce and Bleddyn, taking in every detail with unsettling precision.

“Bleddyn,” Maeve said, her voice low and smooth like silk slipping through the air. “I didn’t expect you so soon. And with a guest.”

Bleddyn gave a short nod. “Maeve. We need your help.”

Maeve’s gaze shifted to Bernyce, and a faint smile curved her lips. “I can see that.” She stepped aside, motioning for them to enter. “Come in. I’ve been expecting you.”

Bernyce’s heart skipped a beat at her words. Were you expecting us? She glanced at Bleddyn, but his face was unreadable as they entered the dimly lit house.

The interior was just as unsettling as the exterior—dark wooden beams lined the ceiling, shelves overflowing with books, and strange trinkets lined the walls. Candles flickered in the corners, casting long shadows that danced across the stone floor. In the center of the room was a large table covered in scrolls, herbs, and various objects that Bernyce couldn’t identify.

Maeve moved to the table, her hands gliding over the objects with practiced ease. “So, what brings you here, Bleddyn? And who is your… companion?”

“This is Bernyce,” Bleddyn said, his voice steady. “She’s not from this time. She came here by accident—through this.”

He reached into the folds of Bernyce’s dress and pulled out the bracelet, holding it up for Maeve to see.

Maeve’s eyes narrowed as they fixed on the bracelet, and Bernyce swore she saw a flicker of recognition—of something darker—flash across her face. “Ah,” Maeve breathed, stepping closer. “So, it’s true. One of the old relics still exists.”

Bernyce tensed, instinctively pulling back as Maeve reached for the bracelet. Bleddyn noticed her reaction and didn’t hand it over. He held it firmly, keeping it just out of Maeve’s reach.

“I need you to help her,” Bleddyn said, calm but firm. “She doesn’t understand the power of this thing. We need to know how it works—and how to send her back.”

Maeve’s lips twitched into a knowing smile. “Send her back? Oh, Bleddyn, you always had such a simple worldview.” She turned her gaze to Bernyce, her eyes gleaming with interest. “The power of time doesn’t work like that. It’s not something you can reverse at will. It’s… more delicate. And far more dangerous.”

Bernyce swallowed hard, her unease growing with every word. “What do you mean? Can’t you help me go back?”

Maeve tilted her head, studying her with unnerving intensity. “Perhaps. But not without understanding the full scope of what’s at play here. You see, this bracelet—it’s not just a tool to move through time. It’s a key. A key to a power most people can’t even begin to comprehend.”

Bernyce frowned. “What kind of power?”

Maeve’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something that sent a shiver down Bernyce’s spine. “The kind that could change everything.”

Before Bernyce could ask more, Maeve returned to the table, sifting through the scrolls and objects with a newfound urgency. “There’s a ritual—one that could unlock the full potential of the bracelet. If you truly wish to understand its power, you must perform it. But be warned—such power always comes with a price.”

Bleddyn stepped forward, his voice sharp. “What price?”

Maeve’s eyes flicked up to meet his. “That depends on how far you’re willing to go.”

Bernyce’s heart raced as she looked between Bleddyn and Maeve. This was all too much. She had come here looking for answers, for a way back home. But now, standing in the darkened room, the weight of the bracelet heavy in her hand, she realized that this wasn’t just about going home. This was about something far more significant—something dangerous.

“What kind of ritual?” Bernyce asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

Maeve smiled, her eyes gleaming in the candlelight. “Come back tonight when the moon is high. And I’ll show you.”