The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 25

A very strange character shows up here 👀

"You've got this. It's just a few steps."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"I know. But it is. Just keep your eyes on Riptide and the water. Only that. I'm right behind you."

With a shaky breath and a flex of my hands, I began the process of overcoming the anxiety of crossing the beach by myself. Eyarr had talked me into it, encouraging me but not forcing it. He knew I wanted to overcome it, and he had figured out the right way to confront the issue.

A few feet in the water, Riptide was patiently waiting and watching. And with me, Eyarr and Cliffire also watched.

Eyes forward. Keep your eyes forward. Don't think, just do.

My thoughts focused on this one action, and with a deep breath, I stepped forward, one foot on the sand.

The first step.

Should we count our steps?

No! It'll break our focus! Eyes on Riptide!

Another step.

And another. And another.

My hands began to tremble, fighting away the horrid memories. Clenching my fists, I kept my steely gaze on Riptide, my eyes landing on his saddle. My eyes began to water, but I blinked the building tears. I wasn't going to lose this.

Only a few more steps to the shore.

Then I sprinted.

Sprinted right into the shore and made a sloppy jump towards Riptide, half-submerged as I scrambled for the reigns on his saddle. Sputtering, I clenched my jaw and pulled myself up with all the sheer strength I could muster.

Finally, on his back, I gasped, wrapping my arms around the base of his long neck, holding him tightly.

I slowly opened my eyes, pushing my soaked hair out of my face, directing my attention to Eyarr and Cliffire back on shore.

I couldn't quite read the expression Eyarr bore, but something told me he was pleasantly surprised with how I handled my confrontation. Nevertheless.

"You did it!" He cheered. Riptide angled his head around so he could focus directly on me. I managed to crack a small smile.

"Hey, buddy..."

"Hey! Laeli! Are you ready to go?" Eyarr called from overhead.

It was time to head north. Return the personal items that had been stolen from their people.

Using the map I'd made, I was able to guide us to the mainland within two days.

The dragons needed to rest, so we made a small camp just beyond the outskirts of a small village. My map could only get us so far, as I only knew of Zyrah's daughter living on the mainland with her Sámi village. Though I didn't know her yet, I knew her mother. And I was confident that Zyrah's daughter could help us. It was just a matter of locating her.

"What do you reckon we do?" Eyarr inquired.

"Well... there's got to be a way to find the village. Though I'm unfamiliar with Sámi customs, maybe we can find someone who is?"

"Worth a shot. Let's see how busy the tavern is." He suggested. I grabbed a bag with some money, a journal, charcoal, and a knife.

Upon entering the tavern, it was much quieter than the first tavern we went to at the beginning of our trip. That being said, I didn't feel uncomfortable, yet I remained wary. Given all Eyarr had informed me about the activities on the mainland, one couldn't be too sure of strangers and what goings on occurred.