Early the next morning, the ship took port at the Aedyn docks. Robin and Delilah set off in the early morning sunlight, riding due south. After a few miles, the bird passed through the local towns and was now riding in desolate, green lands. To the east was high, mountainous regions, and to the west was endless meadow. Robin rode through the lands at top speed for as long as the horse would go, occasionally stopping to allow Delilah to rest. Each night as Robin stopped to rest, she found herself having the same terrible dream and waking up in a cold sweat. She spent most of the nights awake, staring at the stars above while she dwelled on the dream and wishing it was only that. One night, however, a different dream occurred while she slept.
Robin stood in a labyrinth of darkness; not a thing could be seen. Suddenly she heard footsteps coming, but she could not figure out from which direction it was coming from. Her father appeared in front of her. His clothes were mangled, his face was covered in mud, sweat, and blood. A hand was covering a wound in his side. The normal, tall, proud posture of a king was now bent over in weakness. The blue eyes of the king, normally hard and demanding, now looked into his daughter's eyes with grief and despair. "I'm sorry." His voice was weak and barely audible. As soon as the words passed through his lips, he fell to his knees and began to cough up blood.
"Father!" Robin tried to run to him, but she found herself paralyzed. No matter how hard she struggled, she was unable to move an inch from where she stood. All she could do was watch in horror as her father struggled with his life.
"I shouldn't have been so harsh on you."
"Don't talk like that!" She shook her head harshly and tightly closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling.
"I love you Robin." The little bird opened her eyes to see her father sinking into the darkness. Suddenly she was able to move. Robin ran toward her father, tears blurring her vision as she fell to her knees before him. She reached out her hands, trying desperately to grab him. It was too late; he sunk into the darkness with one final sentence. "Find your brother."
Robin woke up with a start, eyes darting about in terror. Delilah whinnied loudly, jumping about as if something had spooked her. The bird numbly watched the horse before looking in the direction the horse was eyeing. In the distance she saw a soft red glow filling the dark night sky. Robin jumped to her feet, eyes widening in terror at what she saw. The woman only had half a day's journey left before she would reach the kingdom.
The bird quickly went over to the horse and grabbed onto its reins. She tried her best to calm the horse by talking to her while patting it gently. Soon enough, the horse was calm enough to ride. Not bothering with placing the saddle on, Robin struggled onto Delilah's back, thanking the gods that she was too lazy to take the reins off. With a swift kick, the horse galloped in the direction of the red glow.
Thoughts raced through her mind as she desperately clung to the horse. Did the dream she just had reveal that her father was now gone from existence? She shook her head, refusing to believe the idea that was most likely the truth. If the dream was true, then her brother must still be alive. "Faster Delilah!"
Robin had decided the day before that she would go along the safer, longer route, passing through the meadows instead of through the forest. With a soft jerk to the right, the horse turned into the forest. Robin carefully guided the horse through the trees, using the path she had taken to get away from the kingdom the night she decided to run away. Ahead of them, a ghost like shadow could be seen stalking among the trees. The horse came to an abrupt stop and began to jump in terror. Robin tried to hold onto the horse, but inevitably fell off. The horse charged off into the night, leaving the bird alone with a sore butt.
Slowly Robin pulled herself to her feet, glancing about the moonlit forest to try to get a sense of direction. The forest was quiet, a bit too quiet for Robin's liking. After brushing herself off, Robin turned in the direction Delilah ran off to and was about to take a step when something flew past her face. Stopping abruptly, Robin turned to see a dagger sticking in the tree next to her. Hearing horse hooves approaching, she quickly turned around to see the silhouette of men under torches. Robin stood frozen with fear, her mind swarming back to the dream she had had so many nights. Was this the dream? Or was this real?
Either way, run! Robin run!
Gaining control of her senses, the bird pulled the dagger from the bark and quickly hid herself on the opposite side of the tree. She glanced around, trying to decide quickly which way to run. Seeing thick brush and trees that were close together, Robin rushed towards them at top speed. As she ran, she prayed to whatever gods that her clumsiness did not overtake her, and also that she would somehow find her horse. Glancing back, the bird saw the red glow of the torches coming ever closer. The men shouted incomprehensible words as they continued to throw weapons towards the woman.
Turning her head back to watch where she was going, Robin suddenly felt her leg hit something hard. The bird stumbled forward a few feet before losing her balancing and falling to the ground. Strong hands grabbed her shoulders, pulling her into a thick bush nearby. Robin was about to scream, but a hand was placed over her mouth. "Shh." The voice whispered softly. Robin sat quietly, pressed up against the stranger. The horses rushed by loudly. Through the branches, the bird was able to see the outline of the creatures on top of the horses. Their ugly features were nothing she had ever seen before.
After waiting a few minutes, the forest was silent once more. The hand over her mouth gently lifted, allowing her to crawl out of the hiding spot. Once she was out, she turned to see whom the mysterious person was who saved her life. It took some time for the person to crawl out of the bush, and once the blond hair man was out, he was unable to stand to meet the curious gaze of his sister.