Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Road to Zahadra, Audemaus forest, Astoria**

__**TIMESKIP**__

Milena spent the next few hours of the market with Mikhail, and had purchased a few miscellaneous things she really liked. She always made a point during Ostrava's bimonthly markets to buy a few things to support the populace. Her closet was full of handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and other items that were made by the people. After the market had concluded, Mikhail found his guard drunk and passed out in the local tavern, and shook him awake. After Millie and Mikhail reunited with Lord and Lady Capell, the five of them returned to Capell Manor for some extremely uncomfortable words of departure from all parties present. Millie returned to her room and collected the pack she had packed the night prior for the journey to the capital.

Milena was escorted by Mikhail and his guard, (who she decidedly wasn't a fan of due to his hungover nature and strong aroma of whiskey), to the royal carriage they arrived in. It was extremely lavish, and far nicer than any carriage she had ever been in before. Much more comfortable too. The ride to Zahadra had been pleasant, up until they entered Audemaus forest. The forest was dark, quiet, and eerie. She had heard tales of terrible beasts and evil hags who were rumored to live within the bowels of the woodland. She couldn't believe how calm Mikhail and his guard appeared to be traveling through the Audemaus. Instinctively, she scooted a little closer to Mikhail as she nervously gazed outside the window of the carriage. "How long do we have to travel through here, Mikhail?"
Joseph
**Mikhail Durkhan-Maith
Road to Zahrada, Audemaus Forest, Astoria
**

He had been a fool to think the Coridon squire _wouldn't_ have indulged in drinks during the festival, but he was partially glad for it by the time the trio had moved into the carriage. Mikhail took to one side, allowing Millie the seat beside him instead of across with Dae, who seemed to be trying to nap off his upcoming hangover. Mikhail would have offered him a drink to help keep him a little buzzed for it, but he didn't have his flask on him. 

Instead he and Millie chatted through the ride, until they two quieted down. They entered the dense wood, following the winding path to Zahrada, and Mikhail took to watching the woods pass through the window. Her question pulled his wandering mind back to her, and he looked over his shoulder at her with a curious look. "I'm not certain, I've never really kept track of this part of the journey." He told her truthfully, and gave a small twitch of a smile before letting it fall. 

"Does it frighten you?"
Karen
**Milena Capell**
**Road to Zahadra, Audemaus Forest, Astoria**

"Yes. It does" She answered honestly. "There are many legends about this place, not many of which are good" She glanced about the scenery passing by them, and imagined all the horrible things that might have been lurking just out of sight, in the shadows. The forest itself felt as if it were imposing on her, the shadows with a life of their own. Many would chalk it up to superstition, but to Millie, who'd before then never even gotten remotely close to the Audemaus, it felt all too real.