In the Valley of a Thousand Footprints

[viii] Anthem of a Moonlit Night

A day had passed since the explosion in Mynwent. The local populace were more or less satisfied with attributing it to SLDCMP (spontaneous lledrith diffusion from the core matrix to the peripheries) and life had moved on. No one had paid any mind to the girl and boy who had left that morning on horseback together... save for a few men who looked on with disgust and contempt, on benches, through windows, from roofs; they watched the pair leave. The amulet around their necks glowed green.

As for the unlikely duo, they had left the city during the early hours of dawn, a newfound drive pushing both of them forward. They had an uneventful journey. Having finally found the right road that led to Targarth, the pair continued on at an alternating trot and canter, lush Forests and prairie surrounded them. They covered a good amount of distance by the end of the day, stopping only twice for a break.

They had mutually concurred that a camp would be best, however due to their circumstances, they couldn't really purchase a tent or even a bedroll. In light of this, they diverted in the forest to their right in hopes of finding a decent place to rest and sort inventory. a decent distance into the forest reveled very little in terms of shelter. It was Ellian that glanced the cabin in the woods, leading to where they were now; standing on muddy ground, staring at the porch of said cabin, in a clearing, with Raven and Doyle behind them, unsure of what to do next.

"Efa... is this really a good idea?" Ellian said with a forced exhale. 

Efa turned to him and shrugged

"We're gonna die... aren't we..."

To make matters worse, the weather had turned. The past few days of unusually consistent sunlight were finally halted as a gentle drizzle pattered onto the two of them. The skies had returned to being overcast, gray clouds plodding innocently into the North sky.

"Okay so," said Efa, clasping her hands together, "we'll hunker down in here since its already pretty late. I don't think we'll be in any danger but just to be sure I'll keep watch and -"

"We'll take turns," he said, his eyes tracing the supports that held the porch up. "You need rest too..." He shifted where he stood and turned to stare at the ground.

"Okay, but first lets get settled, I'd like to make sure that we don't get possessed by a Pooka or any of the Tylwyth'teg while we're out here," said Efa, whistling for Raven who had trotted off on her own adventure. 

"What's the Tylwyth'teg?" Ellian questioned, one eyebrow raised in confusion. 

Efa stared blankly at the boy for a second before saying, "wait... you can pronounce the word properly but you don't know what it is?"

"I'm very good at my olde tongue," he said, smiling proudly.

"Yet you don't know who the Tylwyth'teg are?"

"No."

"Huh well, I guess I'll tell you about them tonight or something."

"Oh so they're like stories?"

"Somewhat, now stay here a second while I go and make sure the cabin is clear."

Ellian waited patiently while Efa investigated the cabin. The rain had picked up slightly, winds swirled around through the trees, it was cold. Ellian turned his face to the sky, stray raindrops kissed his cheek causing him to giggle. He beamed at the overcast sky, delighting in the smell of petrichor. 

From out a tree flew Doyle, landing very ungracefully on Ellian's forearm. They had acquainted themselves on the road from Mynwent.

"Hello Doyle, I saw you flying alongside us," the boy said, tapping the bird on the head, "how does it feel to fly Doyle? is it as freeing as they say Doyle?"