Thorn Hill

By Susanna Park

Amyta lives a seemingly simple life with her family on a farm near a small town. One day, a mysterious “visitor” arrives, prompting her parents to send her on the run. 
For a time, Amyta is trapped in a cave, protected by a mysterious spell. When she escapes after the danger has passed, she finds only ruins in place of her home. Then she meets Sly the Elf Warrior, who rescues her from being abducted by the mysterious and cruel Ravens and taken to the Black King. 
A series of endless adventures begin, during which she meets many wonderful creatures besides the elves, including Suomi the Little Light Eater, the Wonder Stag and magical helpers. 
At the end of their long journey, they arrive at the dreaded Thorn Hill, through which Amyta is the one who finds her way, and with her companions, finally reaches the realm of Starry-eyed.

Susanna Park, born in Budapest in 1976, has been the single mother of a daughter. Deciding to follow  the calling deep inside to write, the story of Amyta came to life. 

This is a huge step and change from transforming into a writer after being in the business of accounting for 25 years. In her works she wants to show the inner sightings of the Hungarian legends and myths to a larger audience.

Thorn Hill is her first published book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Europa Edizioni
• Release date: Nov 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9791220148672

Book preview

Chapter One

Good morning, her mother came into her room with her usual morning tea. 

It's four in the morning. She had been getting up at this time every morning since she was seven and dressed before tea.

She had tea with her mother. They performed this ritual in silence, hardly speaking to each other. It was a time for introspection, not for big words. She thought about the route she had taken every morning for years. Five miles through the woods behind their house. The Clear Forest, as it was officially known. Everything was really calm, quiet and peaceful here. She knew it like the back of her hand. She knew every nook and cranny of it, the hiding place of the animals, the secret little cave in the side of the hill that rose up beyond the forest. From here she sometimes brought flowers to her mother when she was annoyed with her for some reason and wanted to make amends, or just out of love.

When the tea was finished, she quietly put on her shoes and slipped out of the room. Her mother looked after her, sighed quietly, took the empty cups into the kitchen, and looked pensively through the window at the direction she had disappeared from sight.

Her husband stopped beside her. They looked after her together, and he said in his deep, rumbling voice:

It's almost time, let's get ready. and went out of the house.

Amyta's mother went about her usual morning chores, so that when she returned, she would have a hot bath and breakfast waiting for her. Then comes the tutor, from whom she has learned to count and read, and the language of Hona, so different from her own. Even now, she still finds it hard to cope, even though she has lived in this country for 17 years.

Amyta wondered as she ran.

Her parents moved her to this farmhouse near the small town where no birds visited her when she was a toddler. They had plenty of money, but they didn't show off. They bought the somewhat run-down cottage and fixed it up. The land belonging to the house was cultivated, and they hired two men to help them. The men slept in the barn, and in the winter they spent the money they earned in town. They were paid well, so they didn't complain or gossip about them, because they knew they could look for another place for the next year, even though they loved it here. The landlord was decent, they never had to work more than they had worked out, he always paid on time, and the food was great.

The horseman lived alone in a small house next to the stables all year round and looked after their beautiful horses. Her father's jet-black stallion, which his elderly father still rode like a young lad. The two little back horses and Amyta's beautiful snow-white mare Wind. 

She was ten years old when her father brought the foal home. She was surprised that he had gone away, as her parents hadn't been to town much. If there was something to be done, the groom would go in their place, and they went to town maybe once a year. Nevertheless, they were spoken of everywhere with respect, as if they had always lived here.

By the time she had thought about it, Amyta had returned to the house and entered the room that had been locked all day, separated from the stable.

No one but her father and herself came in, and the lads dared not pry.

Her father had a room set aside for her here where he could practise. She had a bench to lift weights, a bar to pull herself up, a dummy to learn fencing, or the intricacies of turning a knife. In addition, three times a week she and her father rode horses, and she learned to shoot a bow and arrow. 

All in complete secrecy, of course. She couldn't tell anyone about it, not that she had any intimate friends. Her company was really Wind and her cat was Princess. Where the cat came from no one knows, after her father brought the horse home the next day she turned up and moved in. She was a stubborn animal, so much of a saint, the only one she tolerated was Amyta.

Amyta would tell the two animals when something was bothering her, or she was happy. They listened as if they understood her every word. Her mare knew what she wanted from a single whistle or the slightest signal, and her kitten knew exactly when to leave her alone or when to snuggle up to her.

She finished her daily routine and went into the house to take a bath.

Her parents were waiting at the table.

When is the teacher coming? asked her father. He'll be a little late today, said her mother, he told the lad he had some business to attend to, and he'll excuse me.

Hmmm, her father acknowledged, and then they started talking about time and tasks.

Amyta listened quietly, just nibbling at her food, somehow not hungry this morning. She felt a strange pressure, a vibration in the air, as if a storm was brewing, even though the sun was shining brightly.

They were almost finished with breakfast when a beautiful black butterfly fluttered through the window and landed in the middle of the table. It fluttered its shiny fragile wings, then froze for a moment as if it was frozen, then moved again and darted out the window.

As if time had stood still for a moment, her mother and father stared at the spot on the table where the butterfly had been sitting a moment before, then looked at each other and jumped up from the table at the same time.

Saddle up, boy, her father shouted to the horseman in a voice Amyta had never heard him use before, and then he ran out into the yard with a swiftness that belied his age.

Her mother grabbed her arm and pulled her into her room:

Change quickly, she called, and threw her riding clothes on the bed.

Amyta just stood there, puzzled. 

But what's the matter? she began, but her mother looked at her with sparkling eyes and shouted at her: Get dressed, you obtuse girl!

She understood nothing, was completely confused, but started to dress herself mechanically, while she saw her mother packing a backpack for her. She put in her treasure chest, then two more purses of money, and another box Amyta had never seen. She asked in vain, but her mother dismissed the question with a wave of her hand and continued packing. She put away several changes of clothes, two more pairs of boots, a warm cloak, and a coat.

Then she took Amyta's hand and led her out into the kitchen, where her father was waiting for them.

Now you must go, began her mother, go to your secret cave that you showed me on the mountainside, Wind will take you there.

Don't ask any questions now, just canter as fast as you can, her father took over, once you're safe in the cave, you'll find everything you need in the box in your bag. The important thing is that you don't look back once.

They led her out into the courtyard, where her horse was already saddled and waiting, Princess lying flat in the saddlebag. Her mother hugged her, and her father threw her into the saddle. She had always wondered why her father had such strength at his age, but she couldn't wonder about that now. Her father squeezed her hand, and Wind was off at a gallop. She was almost holding on to the reins, and the horse was already speeding in the right direction at a speed she had never experienced before.

Amyta understood nothing. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't look back at her parents' house, the horse was galloping at such speed that she had to keep her eyes forward to avoid hitting a tree. But Wind knew the way, having been to Amyta's secret cave many times before.

This cave was discovered by Amyta shortly after she received Wind. She braved with the horse and ventured farther and farther through the forest until she came to the foot of the hill, which was so visible from its door, but on foot one had to make a great effort if one wanted to turn back by nightfall. 

She noticed the cave by chance, as its entrance was covered by a large stone, among the already dense growth of trees. She ventured in with caution, as she had no way of knowing if there was no longer an inhabitant, such as a large bear. But fortunately, the spacious natural formation was uninhabited. 

It wasn't completely dark, as a tiny horn-like crack ran all the way up one side, letting in some light and fresh air. It was a spacious, pretty, dry cave, with a stream running down the side of the mountain not far away, so Amyta had made it her secret hideout and carried her secret treasures here. 

There was a collection of stones, crops and other small trinkets that she considers a ten-year-old treasure. Then, as the years went by, she brought a straw bag, a blanket and a cushion, a few books, and spent her afternoons here, reading, away from it all. 

Not because she couldn't have done it at home, but because she liked the special tranquillity of the cave. She put hay in one corner and spread straw, so that Wind felt comfortable too.

About a year before the current gallop, she was picking mushrooms in the forest with his mother. They had come quite far from their house; her mother was tired, and they were both thirsty. Amyta then decided to let her mother in on her secret, so she took her to the cave. Her mother had a good look around, laughing at how Amyta had found herself a nice little playroom just a little bit far away from the house.

They rested here, and her mother suggested Amyta should bring some food for herself, so she would feel more relaxed about having a snack while she was here. So, a small shelf was put here, where fruit, dried meat, sausages, jams and some sweets were always to be found. When she went riding Amyta's mother always slipped a loaf of bread or a cake into the saddlebag, so that a snack was never missed.

Amyta also brought her collected herbs here. She sorted and arranged them on a small table. She learned a lot from Aunt Ilonka, the witch of the forest, as the villagers called her.

During Amyta's wanderings, she found a small house in the depths of the forest, almost collapsed, but curiously, smoke billowed from its chimney.

Curious, she watched the cottage for a while, and when nothing had happened for half an hour, she decided to knock, and whatever happened, happened. Then the door opened, and an elderly old woman came out of the door with a bucket in her hand and went to the well. It was an old, rusty contraption too, the chain squeaking a lot on the way down. Amyta saw that the old woman had great difficulty in pulling up the bucket, so she stepped up to her and helped her, even taking the bucket of water into the house.

Inside, she looked around and was not surprised to see the house was as shabby inside as it was outside. But the house smelt of herbs, and the floors were spotlessly clean, the stove was pleasantly warm.

Who are you, my daughter? asked the aunt in a hoarse old voice, Are you not afraid of me?

Amyta looked up. She had never heard of anyone living in the forest that she should be afraid of, so she just shook her head.

I don't know why I should be afraid, Auntie, she said.

The old woman sat down and sighed heavily.

Well, I'm Aunt Ilonka the witch of the forest, that's why.

Amyta searched her memory, but she could not remember ever having heard of her. Instead, she decided to introduce herself politely, as Aunt Ilonka didn't seem at all intimidating.

Hello Aunt Ilonka, I'm Amyta from the farm beyond the forest.

Aunt Ilonka watched her for a while, then pulled the corner of her wrinkled mouth in a way that Amyta later discovered was a smile, and asked what she was doing here. Amyta told her that she had just been riding through the woods and had been attracted by the little house. The old woman just watched her for a long time, scrutinizing her with her eyes, then beckoned her to sit down and took a pot of soup from a pot on the stove for them both. The soup smelled very good, but it looked a little strange, Amyta looked at it suspiciously. She asked what it was made of.

From voles was the answer. I have no animals and I can't hunt, but the cat catches the voles.

Amyta's stomach turned at first, but seeing how well Aunt Ilonka was spooning the soup, she took a bite. It was surprisingly tasty, and she ate it all. 

So that's how she met Aunt Ilonka, the old lady of the neighbourhood. She came there a lot later. There she learned the names of the herbs, how to pick them, how to store them. She also learned which ones were good for what, how to make decoctions and poultices from them.

She also learned that Aunt Ilonka was the village midwife for many years, and that she even helped to bring the mayor to the world. The villagers turned to her with all their wounds and complaints, and she was highly respected. Then a young doctor came to the village and slowly convinced the villagers that his way was better. The villagers started to come to him, and they left behind Aunt Ilonka, who even had to move out of her house because she couldn't pay her taxes.

That's how she ended up in this ramshackle shack in the middle of the forest. But still, the villagers visited her here sometimes. They had ailments that only she could treat with her herbs or, when childbirth was going to be difficult, the women would come to her for something to help. On such occasions, a couple of eggs, honey, chicken or something like that would be brought by the villagers in exchange for the medicines.

Amyta came here several times a week, and in return for teaching, she fixed the roof, drew water, and always brought something: meat, flour, sugar, vegetables and fruit.

Her mother never asked her where she was taking it, and she never took advantage of it, but she always brought a small bag of this or that to Aunt Ilonka. 

At first, the old midwife looked at her as she put what she had brought on the table but said nothing. They looked over the day's studies, cooking something from what Amyta had brought while she learned all she could about herbs.

Chapter Two

Now her parents asked her to stay in the cave, although she did not understand why or for how long. Trying in vain to tug at the reins, Wind, as if she hadn't even felt it, just raced on, and then stopped just before the entrance to the cave, but so suddenly that Amyta almost whacked her over the head. She jumped off the horse and looked towards their house. She couldn't see out of the trees, but that way she saw a huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky. She almost jumped back on the horse, but it pulled her into the cave. Amyta had to go with her, and when they reached the room, the cat was already sitting on the top of the bed.

Amyta looked around in surprise. True, she and her mother had spruced up the room, but what she was now saw made her jaw drop. There was a small carpet in front of the bed and a cupboard against one wall. The shelf was full of food. She looked behind her and saw that there was plenty of hay and straw for the Wind. She didn't even notice in her shock; she walked right past it.

She also found iron hooks on the wall to which she can put her harness on, and smaller hooks for her coat and cloak.

Her mother and father have completely furnished the place for her, as if she was supposed to live here from now on! Now she was really confused. She didn't understand anything. She turned around and started to walk out of the cave to see what had happened, but then she realized that if she went home now, her parents would be very angry, so she headed for Aunt Ilonka's house to find some peace. But she couldn't find Aunt Ilonka at home, as she was very curious. She sat outside the house for a while, and then remembered that she had left her horse harnessed up, and that the cattle would not like it.

The horse waited calmly, although after she had taken everything off her, she turned her back on her, looking a little pouty.

Amyta started to unpack the saddlebags and to her surprise she found a beautiful sword wrapped in rags. The blade was like clear water, almost translucent, but when she touched it with her finger, she cut it immediately. A very special symbol was engraved on the hilt, and she did not understand what it meant.

Amyta carefully put the sword away and continued packing. She found the bag her mother had put together for her in the saddlebag, which she put on the bed for the time being. She also found a beautiful dagger to attach to her belt, and another to fit into a boot-lock. 

The Princess slept curled up in the corner of the bed.

Amyta had put everything away, she saw that there were already clothes in the wardrobe for her, so she was increasingly sure that her parents were getting ready for the day, she just didn't understand why.

She put down on her bed the strange box her mother had put in her luggage, and which her father had mentioned. She did not open it yet. She did not know how, for she could not see any lock, but on each side of the box was engraved the symbol of the sword-button. Apart from that, it looked like an ordinary box, a not too big on at that. It was a nice oak box, lacquered, with the engravings on it.