Charlotte

She didn't look back as she ran forward in terror and fright. She would not dare to approach the shadowy castle grounds again because her attempt to retrieve a Sanguine Root had failed. Was this endeavor in vain? As her feet dragged her back towards the settlement, she pondered. Charlotte then realized she had forgotten her basket. She cursed to herself and instead of hurrying to get it, decided to get it another day.

The redhead paused briefly to regain her breath and inhaled as much air as she could, but the thought of the stranger lingered in the back of her mind. His eyes were the thing that stuck in her mind. Eyes that have witnessed unspeakable things.

She trembled at the thought and proceeded on her way back home, allowing exhaustion to win. The sun had already set, leaving a crescent moon behind as another night's sky started to become darker. Though the sky was devoid of stars, Charlotte's journey soon became obscured by thick, gray clouds that eventually began to cover the moon.

When she arrived in the village's gates, the majority of the locals looked at her bewildered, and some even gave her the side-eye. Who would come back at this time of day? After a busy and successful day, the townspeople decided to continue on their journey home. After spending the entire day trekking back and forth through the jungle, Charlotte simply wanted nothing more than to relax. Although it was considerably cooler than the previous evenings she had experienced, the warmth of the fire might be enough to keep her warm tonight.

When she got home, she went straight to her father's room to see how he was doing. Her personal needs were secondary to her father's at this time. But seeing him still asleep worried her, and because she had failed to get the Sanguine Root, Charlotte felt she was to blame. With a frustrated sigh, the woman retrieved an old rag and soaked it in cold water she fetched from the well. Her thoughts couldn't leave the stranger in the gloomy fortress.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Puzzled, Charlotte left the rag aside and made her way toward the main door. Who would've visited at this hour?

The knocking was persistent. Charlotte, irritated as she was, stopped before the door, "Who is it?"

"It is me, my dear! I brought you some warm food and a jug of apple juice," Mrs. Mooseberry's voice can be heard beyond the door.

That made Charlotte smile. After a long day of hardship, the thought of a warm meal made her stomach grumble in hunger. Instantly, the young woman opened the door and allowed Mrs. Mooseberry to enter her home.

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"I thought you were already asleep, Mrs. Mooseberry. Is it not past your bedtime?"

"I heard what happened to your father— I am sorry, child," the elderly woman reassured. "I hope he recovers soon, but I brought you some food in the meantime."

Charlotte pursed her lips and shut the door behind her once Mrs. Mooseberry stepped into her abode, "Mrs. Mooseberry, there is no need to worry. I am doing everything I can to help my father... but I have something to ask you as well."

Curious, the elder woman turned towards the redhead and tilted her head slightly, "Ask away, my dear. I'd be happy to answer whatever questions you may have."

Charlotte took a long breath and pondered the subject in her brain before forming her statement while looking at Mrs. Mooseberry, "Have you ever heard of Sanguine Root?"

The question made the woman ponder. Yes, she had heard of this mystical item — it was a rare one and those who managed to find them can be considered fortunate to even get a hold of them. However, it comes with a great price. To acquire such item, one must pay with blood.

"Ah," the elderly woman's brows furrowed together slightly in thought. "I do not know if I remember it correctly, but I have heard about it… perhaps it has something to do with your father? Why do you ask, child?"

"I read about it in one of these books here, and it mentioned that Sanguine Root can cure all kinds of diseases and illnesses, yet it can only be found in the North... if I'm fortunate enough to find it."

Mrs. Mooseberry shook her head, "Perhaps there's no such thing. In truth, Sanguine Roots are just stories. Many have tried to obtain them, but none has succeeded."

Charlotte remained quiet, staring down at the floor. She knew there was no hope of recovering her father's health, so there was no use in continuing on any further. What good would all this searching do? Maybe, someday, if she ever got the opportunity. Until then, she had no choice but to settle with getting some rest.

The days that followed were quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred in the village. People went about their regular lives, trading commodities, preparing meals, and occasionally enjoying fruits, vegetables, and fresh bread. The environment was serene, calm, and pleasant. A typical village existence. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to complain about. However, nothing was usual. The stranger kept tormenting Charlotte and haunting her every waking moment, no matter how many times she attempted to ignore it. The young redhead could feel a peculiar tug in her heart every time she saw that magnificent woodland, inviting her to return. Perhaps there was more to the site than they claimed…

Thus, she decided to return to that eerie place. She won't give up on that Sanguine Root, if he ever kept one. Even without the Sanguine Root to save her dad, Charlotte will do everything in her power to recover him. She will never lose anyone else — she swore to herself. Even though it's been a few days since she last returned, everything had remained the same. Nothing seemed different to Charlotte — and it bothered her.

But the sound of incomprehensible whispers seemed to draw her attention. It came from the woods to her left, to the east or west. Wherever it was coming from, Charlotte followed the sounds, determined to discover its origins. The farther the redhead explored, the deeper her curiosity grew until the trees became thicker and the underbrush denser, blocking her view of anything that might be lurking inside.