The Call of the Sea

Chapter Four

Refreshed by the walk in the woods, Saranjigüür and the others came to the edge of the trees. "It's been good to see you again," Prudence said to Patience, giving them a hug.

"It's been very good!" Patience said. "It was wonderful to meet you too, Saranjigüür. If you meet Klüddo along the way, tell them we said hello."

"I will! I think it would be nice to meet more unicorns," Saranjigüür said. She smiled at Shuvénki and gave him a pat on the shoulder. She got mounted, and Prudence did, too. Dúttro stepped over from beside Damhlaith, which reminded Saranjigüür of standing at the edge of the cliff with her in her zürtseg, and of seeing the tree as they were riding past. "Damhlaith, would you come with us?"

Damhlaith could see that Saranjigüür had asked her a question, and there was concern on the girl's face. She looked over to Patience, who explained, "She would like you to travel with them."

"Oh! Well, I do love helping Patience and all the trees and everyone in the forest, but..." Damhlaith hesitated a moment. "But, I think I'm ready, for another adventure."

Patience gave Damhlaith a gentle smile. "Don't be afraid to set out with them," They said. "Only, you must visit Maròske when your travels with Saranjigüür are done."

"I will," Damhlaith answered with a nod. She took off the basket filled with nuts and handed it to Patience, then turned to Saranjigüür and said, "I'll come with you!"

"You're leaving?" The squirrel squeaked, hopping down from Dúttro and bounding over.

"Yes, I'm going away," Replied Damhlaith, kneeling down to speak to the squirrel. "But I won't forget you and everyone else. After I've been to Maròske I'll come back to see you again."

"Well, you better be sure to bring back some good nuts!"

"I'll bring back the best nuts that I can," Damhlaith promised the squirrel. She stood and walked over towards Saranjigüür, and waved goodbye to Patience.

Seeing her join them, Dúttro said, "I'll help carry you!"

"Really?" Asked Damhlaith, surprised. Dúttro nodded, and Damhlaith mounted up on them, though it took a couple tries. "Phew! Okay, I'm ready to go now." Saranjigüür beamed with joy to see that Damhlaith would be traveling with them, and waving farewell to Patience, they rode away from the forest.

They rode around the edge of the trees, and from far away Saranjigüür thought she could hear a rushing sound. "That's the Syvötta, isn't it?" She asked Prudence.

"Yes," Answered Prudence. "If I remember right, it's the branch that runs into Lékka Krúvos. The flow gets real lively and splashy near the mountains."

"Could we go up to it?" Saranjigüür asked. "I know you told me the King said I wasn't to cross it, but... I'm curious."

"Just visiting it would be fine," Prudence said. "The river is deep and doesn't have a way to cross it around here." Saranjigüür took an excited breath, and looked to Damhlaith.

"Then let's go! I think it's over in that direction," Saranjigüür said to Shuvénki, pointing. The way was short, and the sound of the river was also like water, pouring into Saranjigüür's ears in a cool and refreshing way. Up close the sound of the river was strong but still soothing. The water was clear, its setnüür sparkling with tender joy. Saranjigüür did not feel like swimming across the Syvötta, but it reminded her of the sea in how much breath it had. She gave Prudence a smile and began to sing as they turned and walked alongside the river, again drawing out her vowels for a long time. The song lifted her spirits, the notes flowing strong and clear like the river. Damhlaith joined in after a moment, adding her own notes in harmony.