The Ride West

Chapter Five

Having crossed the mountains, Eulanthe and the donkey went down the highlands and lowlands, and into a pine forest. Though the air was crisp and the forest floor springy with fallen pine needles, Eulanthe could feel her feet starting to become sore. "Are you feeling okay, mister donkey?"

"Well, I suppose I wouldn't mind a drink, but I think I'm alright."

"Okay," Eulanthe responded quietly. She gave the donkey a pat on the neck and continued walking. The sound of the wind rustling through the pine needles was very soothing for her. Stepping over and through the undergrowth only made her feet hurt worse, and she felt her legs start to tire as well; when stepping over a fallen log, her boot caught on it, and she stumbled onto her hands and knees. Eulanthe thought of Justice and everyone counting on her to spread the word that the King's Son was coming back, and grit her teeth and stood back up.

After coming out of the pine forest, Eulanthe and the donkey came into a wooded meadow, with the trees more spread apart and varied. There were plenty of birds in the trees, brightly colored and sweetly singing as they fluttered about the canopy. They were able to find a stream here, quietly babbling. Eulanthe checked the map as the donkey drank, seeing that this was one of the only streams in the area, and they all fed into a river that must have been the Syvötta. Though her heart now burned to be in Maròske, Eulanthe's legs grew too tired for her to walk. When the trees had thinned out again and opened up into a plain she fell down, and began to cry.

The donkey had no clue why Eulanthe was crying but could see she was sad, and stood close, resting his chin next to hers on her shoulder. She turned to hang her arms around his neck in a hug, and in her karòn he could see how she had been overwhelmed by how far they'd come. He shared his memories of riding to the Wild Lands with her, carrying the supplies of the King's Son and his Minister, and how happy he'd felt at making it all the way. "Mister donkey... will you carry me to Maròske?"

"I'd be glad to, miss Eulanthe. A donkey has to be good for something." Rising from karòna, Eulanthe pulled herself up, and using all her might hopped onto the donkey's back. She looked at the King's Minister's ring for a moment, then leaned down to hug the donkey's neck and rest. She thought of Justice, and her long walk to the Wild Lands with them; the journey to Maròske had been even longer, and she ached to see them again, the memories fluttering over her like the birdsong from the meadow.

When she next looked up, she thought she saw a cloud on the horizon, and wondered if it was going to rain. Sitting up, she saw that it was staying in one shape, and not moving. Coming closer, she saw walls; closer still, towers and spires with pennants waving in the breeze. The walls were a pale banded stone, curving slightly like a mighty wave and sparkling in the sun; the high gates were made from a rainbowy transparent material that seemed to flutter like wings. They were open wide, and at the entrance stood two guardians.

"A fair day to you, comrades!" One said, their voice like a deep and gentle bell.

"And to you, too," Replied Eulanthe. She was able to sit up straight, and she saw both of the gate guardians had feathery wings, much like Justice. "The King's Minister sent me," She said, showing them their ring. "The King's Son is coming back! He's awake now, and the Minister and my friend Justice are with him, too."

"I could hardly believe that, but that's the Minister's ring you have there," Said the tall and brawny gate guardian who'd greeted them, looking up to Eulanthe. "This is amazing!"

"And our sibling Justice is returning, too," Said the other guardian, beaming bright.

"Um, do you know the way to the King's Somnuware- Somniary?" Eulanthe asked. "The friend of this boy named Ägidhardt said I should stop by there."