* picture of Cadeym in the media*

Adelaide glanced around the dark forest warily. The trees created shadows that cast along the forest floor. An owl hooted in the distance, though it was not dark yet. Creatures scampered in the dark, unseen nooks of the foliage.

Cadeym whinnied and looked around. His unrest was evident to Addy and she, too, was nervous. "It is okay, Cadeym. We should only be in the forest for another hour or so. Not to worry, lad."

"Na gabh dragh." Addy whispered soft words of assurance to her horse and hoped it would ease him.

They proceeded forward along a slightly beaten path, which was slowly starting to disappear. Without it, they would not know where to go. Addy's stomach dropped when she saw that the path no longer existed. It was up to her now.

A crunch echoed through the woods and sent a shiver up her spine. Someone was behind them. A horse's whinny soon followed and Addy quickly directed Cadeym to a large boulder where they could hide. Not soon after they took refuge, a cloaked rider came down the path. His face was hidden to her. She could only guess what he looked like. Ragged scars probably ran down his face and his teeth were stained from ales, she could only imagine.

The rider reigned his horse to a stop and got down. He slowly walked along the path and knelt at where the trail ended. The rider pressed his fingers to the earth and ran them along the ground, following hoof prints. He glanced up to the boulder and looked around.

Adelaide's heart beat faster. He was coming for her. He would kill her. Breathing quickly, she squeezed her eyes shut and pulled her dagger out from her boot. The point was sharp and would easily slice into the flesh of her opponent.

The man walked closer, she could hear his feet against the ground. He would be at her side in a moment. With a quick exhale of her breath, Adelaide jumped out from behind the boulder and pinned her opponent to the rocks, the sharp knife at his neck.

"Who are you? And why are you following me?" Adelaide growled at the man.

He moved to remove his hood, but she pressed the dagger firmly to his soft flesh, creating a small indent on his neck. "I am only trying to show you my face. Stand down, girl."

"I am no girl." She gritted her teeth. How dare he. She was a woman, not some child.

"Forgive me, mighty warrior. Would you remove your knife for a moment while I remove my cloak?"

"Why would I do that? Who are you?" Addy glared at him. "Tell me who you are! Now!"

The man sighed. "I am Philip. I met you earlier. Now would you please remove your knife?"

Adelaide slowly dropped her weapon, a small drop of his blood started to bead on his neck. "Why were you following me?"

Philip rubbed the spot on his neck and looked at her. "Do you really think I would let a young woman traipse through the forest alone? You must think that I am insane."

"Well you are! You followed me!" Adelaide replaced the dagger in her boot and crossed her arms.

"I only followed you to make sure you were safe. What business have you in the dark forest anyway? There are creatures living in here that would make the bravest of knights quiver in fear, not to mention the magic that lingers here. This land is cursed and should not be traveled alone. It is not safe."

"My business is none of your concern. And as for the forest, I am more than capable of defending myself. I am not scared of the beasts, nor of the magic." Adelaide fetched Cadeym and made sure her bags were secured.

"I do not doubt that you hold no fear to this place, but believe me, madam, it is not to be trifled with. Whether you want me to or not, I am coming with you."

Adelaide laughed and shook her head. "You have no place with me. My journey has one purpose and one purpose only."

"And what is that, pray tell?" Philip mounted his horse and looked down at her.

"To take revenge." She yanked on a leather tie and secured it.

"Revenge?"

Addy mounted Cadeym and nodded. "Aye. Revenge. Someone, somethings, have caused me much pain, and I am going to make sure they feel the same pain and torment that they have caused me," she seethed. "You can accompany me, I see there is no point in arguing with you. But I warn you now, I am on a long journey."

"That is of no importance. For now, we must get out of the forest before night fall. There are things that thrive in the dark and I am not sure about you, but I do not want to be here when they emerge. We only have a few hours before dark, so I suggest we get on." Philip pointed to the right. "I suspect the trail continues on this way."

Addy nodded. "Lead the way, sir."