The Name of Names

~12: Travels~

Vanya watched as the run rose, bathing the land in fresh light. Gently, she woke Kaldar. You may hunt now, if you want to. She said, sheathing her sword and digging into her satchel for a loaf of bread. Kaldar left, and Vanya took a small bite of bread, appreciating its flavor. The warmth had already left it, but it was still good, and she had to put it away too soon for her own liking.

When Kaldar returned, the sun was already mid-way to the top of the sky.

Villages passed underneath them, and young children called out, "Argetlam!" or "Shur'tugal!"

Vanya smiled, waving a hand down at them, and the children responded by enthusiastically waving their own hands in the air back at her.

They flew into the night, despite Vanya's protests that Kaldar should rest sooner.

I will go as far as I am physically capable of, he would respond, to which Vanya didn't agree, but recognized that she couldn't stop him. So, Vanya instead funneled small amounts of energy into him to keep him from draining his own strength.

Finally, Kaldar was forced to land. Almost as soon as his feet touched the ground, he fell asleep. Vanya watched that night, and in the morning after Kaldar had hunted, she fell into the waking dreams that the elves considered as sleep in the saddle, after casting spells to make sure she didn't fall off.

When she woke, she checked the map again. It says here that we should pass over Ceunon soon. But I thought we had made more distance than that. She held the image of the map in her mind, and showed it to Kaldar mentally.

We have. While you were sleeping, I passed over the human's city. Many of them called up to us. Kaldar mentioned, studying the image Vanya had sent. We are actually closer to Carvahall.

Vanya was quiet for a moment. I wish we could rest there. I'm sure there would be a feast of some sort in our honor, or at least a warm bed and room.

But, the dragon reminded her, it would delay our trip.

Vanya nodded, rolling the map up and putting it back into her satchel.

The days slipped by, and a pattern was soon established: Kaldar would sleep during the times on land while Vanya kept watch, and she would sleep in the air,while Kaldar kept on the lookout for danger.

Finally, the day came where they reached Therensford, and from there crossed the range of mountains which were only a few miles from the shoreline. When they reached the coast, Kaldar landed. Vanya checked her satchel, and then double checked it to make sure she had gotten everything.

Shortly before this moment, they had stopped at Therensford, buying supplies to ready themselves for their trip across the sea. It had been uneventful, as Vanya had concealed her Gedwey Ignasia, the glowing palm that distinctly marked her as a dragon rider. Her elven ears, however, she had deemed to just leave as they were. This decision she did pay for in some respects, as more people glanced her way, and young children stared at her pointed ears.

After purchasing the necessary items, she had returned to Kaldar outside of the city. Together, then, they had reached the shoreline, where they were presently.

The waves crashed on the rocks just a few yards from where they stood, and Vanya soaked in the beauty of the scene. The water rippled, white foamy tips showing as they made their way to the rugged rocks lining the water. Boats were vacant from the area, due to the rocks which made landing or taking off nigh impossible. Soft pastels were smeared in the pale blue sky, and there didn't appear to be a cloud in the sky.

We're gaining no ground by just standing here, Kaldar reminded her, a trace of impatience and excitement in his voice.

Indeed. Vanya walked over to Kaldar and climbed into the saddle. Are you rea—

Vanya let out a startled yelp as Kaldar's bunched muscles launched them both towards the sky. She loosed a wild yell in excitement, and she sensed Kaldar's own emotions matching her own.

The sea stretched before them, seemingly an endless area of sparkling blue waves. The only sounds were that of Kaldar's wings flapping steadily, the few seagulls who let out an occasional caw, and the waves lapping onto the shore. And, as they progressed farther into the sea, even the waves weren't heard anymore.