，＂　Han　Fengling　replied.　＂Welcome　to　the　Kingdom　of　Lian.＂

Sukie　felt　a　mix　of　excitement　and　trepidation.　＂Why　am　I　here?　What　is　my　purpose?＂

Han　Fengling　squeezed　her　hand　reassuringly.　＂All　will　be　revealed　in　time.　For　now，　we　must　find　shelter.　There　are　dangers　in　this　world　that　we　must　avoid.＂

As　they　walked　through　the　forest，　Sukie　couldn，t　help　but　marvel　at　the　vivid　colors　and　the　vibrant　life　around　them.　It　was　as　if　she　had　stepped　into　a　dream.　Yet，　the　reality　of　their　situation　quickly　set　in　when　they　heard　the　distant　sound　of　hooves.

＂Quick，　hide！＂　Han　Fengling　whispered　urgently，　pulling　Sukie　behind　a　large　tree.

They　crouched　in　the　underbrush，　peering　through　the　leaves　as　a　group　of　horsemen　rode　past.　The　men　were　dressed　in　dark，　menacing　armor，　their　faces　obscured　by　helmets.　Sukie　felt　her　heart　race　as　she　watched　them　go　by，　sensing　the　danger　they　represented.

＂Who　are　they?＂　she　whispered　once　they　had　passed.

＂Agents　of　the　Dark　Lord，＂　Han　Fengling　replied　grimly.　＂They　patrol　these　lands，　searching　for　those　who　oppose　their　master.　We　must　be　careful.＂