Branley And The Land Of Cors

Chapter 12

The days kept passing slowly and now many many miles away from the safety of their snowy land,far from the borders they had crossed full of fear and awe as kids,just so they could take a look at the people outside,they wished silently that they would meet someone. Just a single soul so they can make sure that they were not the only two people left in this accursed world. But there was no one. They had been traveling for two weeks day and noon,and had encountered no one. It was strange wasn't it?

"Wait!" Branley said to Kyne behind him almost breathless as they climped a steady rock."I can see something."

"Yes I can see it too." Kyne replied. "It's a freaking rock."

"No you dimwitt I meant passed the rock. Look at the sky. That's smoke!"and he pointed at it with his finger.

That must be how one feels when they barely make it out of the battlefield alive,Branley thought.

"Well what are you waiting for then?"Kyne asked exasperated.

"What?"

"This would be a good time for you to remember you have magic."The blonde answered full of irony.

"You have magic too you know. You go check it out!"

"In case you hadn't noticed I'm not the one that can turn into an animal that can fly!"

"Oh just admit you're too tired to get there while using your magic and stop being a clever clogs." Branley said with a sigh. For a second he contemplated on what he should do. Should he go first and check it out?

"Neither of us is going anywhere."he decided to say. "We will be careful while approaching but we'll go slowly,and we'll go together." And then he nodded his head to himself to make sure that was the right move.

He's being too careful,Kyne thought, and he keeps me near. It stresses him to put distance between us.

"Okay." Kyne finally answered.

It took about an hour for them to get close enought to see something more than just smoke. They saw a tiny wooden cabin,standing alone in the middle of a meadow. The only sign of life they had come upon was this cabin.

"Okay" Branley whispered as they grew closer and hid themselves between the trees "I'll go first, you stay here." And without waiting for an answer he transformed.

The craw of a raven was heard and his clothes fell swiftly on the grass, he mentally wished Kyne would be smart enough to grab them just so he could have something to wear after this.

Carefully he circled the house and landed on the sill of a window, and full of fear and wonder he peaked inside.
The sight warmed his heart. Everything was made out of pine wood, and he could hear it creak with rhythm every time the wind blew to the direction of the house. He saw a woman,not too old nor too young, her age he could not really tell. Her grayish hair was neatly tide up in a bun and she was wearing a brown long skirt and white upper garments. She was humming a small melody,like the sounds a bird would use to tell another of the sun and growing fields.

He got back to Kyne and put his clothes back on. And then after explaining what he saw they both took a long breath and relaxed as much as they possibly could.

They knocked on her door and waited.
The door opened slowly and the woman found them with her eyes.

"Hello there. Who might you be?" She asked,in a sweet tone,but not too sweet they could see her guard was up.

"Hello." Kyne answered, mentally deciding that he was their best chance as he was the one always favored by adults. "We don't wish to bother you, we were just wondering how far it is for the land of Cors."

"I'm sorry the what land?"She asked confused.

"Of Cors."Branley repeated eagerly and earned a side eye from Kyne.

"There isn't such a thing." The woman said and looked at them both like they had two heads each. "Where'd you get that from?"

"We-" Kyne begun to say,and then remembered that they had a map they could show her. And so he did.

"Oh Kamran's the place you're looking for."the woman concluded.

"Kamran?" asked Branley confusion hanging from every muscle on his face.

"Why yes,'tis the capital you're looking for boys. The land of prosperity. "She responded.

And at that moment another lesson was learned, history can shift,it can be altered or completely changed depending on who's writing it. Because for them that town was the epitome of their biggest nightmares, the place they had always learned to fear,and for this woman,and probably for everyone else it was a land of light and prosperity, a safe haven.

"Regardless "Kyne said,regaining his composure faster than Branley," how long is it from here?"

"Not too long,about a week on horse back."she replied.

Branley turned to look at Kyne and muttered "We don't have any horses." Like Kyne didn't already know that.

The lady looked at them, or the best word would be analyzed them, and took pity on the two worn out youngsters that wondered outside of her home, and decided that she would spare them the questions and maybe some bread,cheese and maybe a bunch of freshly picked carrots from her garden in the back. And that she did.

"Wait here just a moment." She told them.

As she closed the door the boys looked at each other with questioning gazes.

And while Kyne was busy figuring out which route was best to take, and Branley occupied himself with talking to the nearest monarch butterflies as he remembered them being mentioned in his books,the lady returned with a basket full of goods.

She gave it to them with a smile.

"You boys look like you would fall over if the wind blew too hard on ya. Take it."

Branley felt this extreme sense of tranquility for the first time in a long while,as if some faith he had lost had somehow been restored again.

They said their many thank yous and good byes and Kyne watched as a tear silently streamed down his friend's cheeck while a smile decorated his small face. And for that he was glad and content too.