Echoes of the Wild Hunt (eBook, ePUB)

Seventeen-year-old Bronwyn, an herbalist in the secluded village of Everbrook, feels disconnected from her community and yearns to understand her unique connection to the Whispering Woods. Everbrook, steeped in folklore, fears the legendary Wild Hunt. Bronwyn‘s abilities set her apart, both revered and feared. As the annual Samhain festival approaches, Bronwyn grapples with her desire for a life beyond the village‘s traditions and the weight of her powers, unaware of the impending chaos that will soon shatter her world.During Samhain, the Wild Hunt descends upon Everbrook, stealing memories and sowing dread. Bronwyn‘s powers disrupt the Hunt, drawing the Huntmaster‘s attention. He marks her with an ancient symbol, binding her to the Hunt and granting her visions of the Otherworld. Elder Rowan reveals a prophecy: Bronwyn will either save Everbrook or doom it. Torn between duty and a thirst for understanding, Bronwyn faces an impossible choice as the Hunt‘s shadow looms over her village.Bronwyn, burdened by the prophecy and her connection to the Hunt, decides to leave Everbrook and venture into the Whispering Woods. Cerys, her loyal friend, refuses to let her face the unknown alone and joins her. As they cross the threshold into the woods, the familiar world dissolves into a realm of twilight and ancient magic. The forest tests their resolve with illusions and lurking creatures, marking the beginning of their perilous journey.Bronwyn and Cerys discover the Whispering Woods is a borderland between worlds, where nature‘s laws are fluid. They encounter sprites, tree guardians, and seers, each offering cryptic guidance. Bronwyn begins to control her powers, manipulating elements and communicating with spirits. She gains insight into the Wild Hunt‘s purpose, understanding its role in the delicate balance between worlds, while facing the dangers lurking within the forest.The Huntmaster‘s spectral hounds pursue Bronwyn and Cerys, forcing them to evade capture while seeking answers. They encounter a coven of witches seeking to exploit Bronwyn‘s connection to the Hunt. Gareth, driven by concern, follows them into the woods, creating tension and complicating their quest. He struggles to accept Bronwyn‘s powers and the changing world, adding another layer of conflict to their journey.The Huntmaster tempts Bronwyn in her dreams, offering her a place as a leader of the Wild Hunt. He promises unlimited power and the ability to reshape the world. Bronwyn is drawn to the offer, envisioning a restored balance but at the cost of free will and Everbrook‘s destruction. She isolates herself from Cerys and Gareth, wrestling with her desires and the growing darkness within her, facing a crucial moral dilemma.Bronwyn succumbs to the Huntmaster‘s influence and joins the Wild Hunt, embracing her dark side. She leads the Hunt on a raid against Everbrook, intending to erase their connection to nature. Cerys and Gareth confront Bronwyn, pleading with her to break free. Cerys is seriously injured in the battle, forcing Bronwyn to face the consequences of her actions. Overwhelmed by remorse, Bronwyn realizes her betrayal and loses her connection to the forest.Inspired by Cerys‘s loyalty and Gareth‘s forgiveness, Bronwyn rejects the Huntmaster and rallies her remaining strength. She confronts him in a final showdown at the heart of the Whispering Woods. Using her knowledge of the forest and her connection to the spirits, she weakens him. Bronwyn embraces both her human and Otherworld self, wielding the power of nature and the memories of Everbrook to break the curse binding her to the Hunt.