All the servants had gathered for a quick meeting with the head maid. Adina stood at the far end, beside Kora. The meeting didn't take long; it was just the normal reshuffling of chores.

They were finally done, and all moved to leave, including Adina when she was stopped.

"Adina!" A familiar voice called out to her, and she halted in her steps, glancing at Kora, who gave her a tight-lipped smile before walking off.

Adina turned to see the head maid standing some feet away from her. "Come here," the woman ordered.

Adina walked over, wiping her palms on her apron nervously. Something about the head maid's tone made her uneasy. The woman wasn't yelling, wasn't angry… and that was exactly what put her on edge.

Matilda didn't speak until they were well away from the others; they stood in the corridor by the side entrance of the servants' wing. She turned to face Adina.

"I have a task for you," she began.

Adina's brows furrowed at this… Matilda wouldn't call her to the side for a task…

"Yes, head maid."

Matilda folded her hands in front of her. "We're out of moon herbs. All of it. And it's not something we can afford to be short on."

Moon herbs. They were used for healing salves and night tonics, especially during Red moons. They helped stabilize wolves going into heat or ruts. Important, yes, but also… rare.

Moon herbs were so rare to find, and that meant the kingdom being out of moon herbs was a problem. A big one. Still, Adina was confused. If they were out of moon herbs, wouldn't it be more sensible to send warriors to find them? What could she do?

"I need you to go fetch more," Matilda continued. "There's a vendor who lives by the outer borders. He supplies it fresh."

Adina's breath hitched, she might not have stayed in Obsidian for too long, but if there was one thing everyone and their mothers knew. It's to stay away from the outer borders. No one knew what exactly was there, but they all assumed it was the rebels. After all, they're the only ones after the king.

"The outer borders?" Adina echoed.

Matilda nodded, "I'm aware of the king's orders, but then again, the king mustn't hear of the moon herb being used up. Besides, the man who sells it fresh will meet you halfway, so there wouldn't be any kind of problem. You'll go alone. Take the back route. Speak to no one. Get the herbs. Come back. That's it."

Adina swallowed, "Forgive me for asking, head maid, but why me?" The woman didn't like her, so if the moon herbs were that important, why would she ask Adina of all persons to get it.

Matilda's lips pressed into a thin line. For a second, just a second, something flickered across her face but it was gone just as quick. "Because you're new, and you'll do as you're told. It's an important responsibility I'm giving you. Don't fail me, or the king will have all our heads on the chopping board."

Matilda reached into her pocket and handed her a small pouch. "This should cover the herbs. Don't open it till you reach him. It has to be discreet. We can't afford word getting out."

Adina nodded, "Yes, head maid."

Matilda stared at her for a second longer, then looked away briefly, almost like she was burdened by something. "Be car—" she didn't complete her words. Instead, she shook her head and walked away.

Adina stood still, the pouch she was given heavy in her hands as she stared at Matilda's retreating figure. This was the first time the woman would treat her like a human. Like she wasn't some filthy thing.

Adina shook her head. For Matilda to come and meet her for this, it must be very important, and so… she couldn't disappoint her. She should live up to her expectations. Perhaps, if she did this and if Matilda treats her better after this, the other girls would treat her with compassion.

_______

By the time the morning light broke over the Obsidian Kingdom, Adina was already up.

She dressed in the same plain clothes she'd always worn, tucking the pouch Matilda had given her into the folds of her skirts. It jingled faintly. She wrapped herself in a dull, gray shawl and made her way towards the back door.

Waiting for her was Matilda, her eyes darting back and forth nervously. When she saw Adina, she relaxed a bit. "Be quick, Adina. The king mustn't find out," she said, and Adina nodded, determined.

She stepped out of the castle, and her journey to the outer borders began. She slipped past the lower market, staying off the main roads.

It would take her a few hours to reach the halfway point Matilda had mentioned. She'd meet the vendor, collect the herbs, and be back before sunset.

Easy.

At least, that's what she told herself.

She had no map, no directions besides "He'll meet you halfway." No name, no description, just vague instructions and a pouch full of money.

Still, Adina kept walking. She followed the narrow dirt path deeper into the forest. The trees here stood taller, their branches weaving a canopy that relieved her from the harsh sun. Time seemed to slow the farther she walked, and before long, she couldn't tell how long she'd been out.

The sun was already dipping when she realized how quiet it had gotten. Too quiet. She couldn't even hear the birds chirp anymore.

She paused, looking around, tired and worn out from how long she'd been walking. She was supposed to meet the man at the halfway point, but now… she was certain she'd gone way past the halfway point, and there wasn't any sign of the said man.

She wiped the sweat beads off her forehead, reaching for the pouch of coins given to her. She wondered if she should continue to wait here.

She shook her head; she couldn't wait here aimlessly. She had to keep going, at least until she neared the border. She hugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders and picked up her pace.

She went on for an hour longer, her chest gnawing nervously. She should've turned back. But she was so close, at least, she hoped she was.

Then, she heard it. A snap like a branch breaking just behind her.

Adina froze.

She didn't turn around at first. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was a deer or a rat? Lizard? It had to be an animal.

She took five steps more and heard it again, clearer and sharper.

Her heart leapt into her throat as she spun around, eyes scanning the trees. Nothing. There was nothing there. Just trees and shadows. Her breath quickened. She clutched the pouch tighter in her hands and started walking faster.

Just a little further. She'd get the herbs and go back to the palace.

But then she heard it again, not a snap this time, but a low, mocking chuckle.

It came from the trees… and then another, from the other side.

Adina stopped dead in her tracks.

Before she could turn, a figure stepped out from the trees ahead of her. Then another and another and another.

Three, four, six, seven.

Savage-looking men with ragged clothes, tangled hair, and wild eyes. Some of them were shirtless, their bodies marked with faded scars. A few had weapons. Knives. Axes. One of them dragged a rusted chain along the dirt behind him.

Adina's blood ran cold at the sight.

She turned to run, but more men had come up behind her, blocking the path. They circled her like predators, silent and grinning like they'd seen their next meal.

"Where do you think you're going, darling?" One of them hissed at her, his teeth black and rotten.

"Now, why would you run from us? Don't you know…" one said, eyes sizzling her up hungrily. "We've come for you especially. How can you leave and hurt us this way?" He grinned, clutching his chest.

Adina's heart slammed against her ribcage. Her legs refused to move. She stumbled back slightly, her fingers trembling around the pouch in her hands.

They were surrounding her.

She unhooked the pouch from her waist. "I have money. Enough money." She tossed it to the one she believed was the leader. "Take it and leave me alone!"

The man glanced at the pouch on the floor and then kicked it aside uselessly. "You wound me. Why would we want money when you are enough for us?"

Adina gulped hard; she was cornered. "Leave me alone. You're making a mistake! The king- he won't leave you alone."

The man tilted his head, "And why won't he? You're nothing but a lowly slave." He spat out, and the rest of them burst out laughing. "Why would the king be worried about a slave?"

The men kept closing in, tightening the circle. One of them licked his cracked lips, and another spun the knife in his hand.

Adina took a shaky step back, eyes darting between them all. "Leave me alone. I suggest you heed my warning and let me be!" She spat out, trying to sound as firm as she could.

One of them jumped forward towards her, eyes gleaming with excitement. "And what if we don't?—Let's see what the king's bitch is hiding in that pretty little dress," He snarled, reaching for her.

Adina jerked back, her foot caught on a stone, and she fell to the ground. She scrambled backward, her hands scraping against the dirt and stones as she scampered away on all fours. "Please—leave me alone—"

One of the men lunged forward, grabbing her ankle angrily, dragging her back towards them.

Adina screamed.