Belford's Heart

Chapter 18: Joy

Five days on the road to the West had passed them as they continued forward. Grimbo and Thunderfoot had rested well in Norman's stable. Belford was always thankful when others took such a job as seriously as he had. When it was his main contribution on his mountain, each and every one of the horses, lamb, goats, and Grifford were treated as fellow men when he woke to feed and wash them each day. In the winter he would always have to wait until midday to bathe the horses. The direct light of the sun was all that could prevent the water from freezing, and even then, he had to abandon the task most days when winter was at its peak.

Unlike the road from Barker, Evelyn had not stopped talking since they left the city. Just when Belford thought he had gathered plenty of questions to seek answers for, Evelyn's list outweighed his by an entire goliath. He wondered how so many words could fit in the small head she carried with her. Perhaps Maligwa had granted her the ability to store information far beyond the normal capacity of her head. Still, her voice was a calming sound as they rode forward. The road along the sea was far busier than the Southern Road. Where they would go days without seeing a single person, here they had visitors many times an hour.

Belford thought Philip a very welcome addition to their group. For one, any person who could gain enough trust from Grifford to be allowed to mount him must be extraordinary, outside of himself, of course. He was quite curious about the man. Philip's devotion to his faith had brought him along their path willingly, and that was something that would take Belford quite a long time to understand. While he rode, he held his tome opened in one hand and read quietly to himself as Grifford followed close to Evelyn. It was a wonder that he could continue to read next to Evelyn's constant stream of words.

"I am starting to understand your discomfort with the heat, Belford," Evelyn said, wiping the sweat gathered on her forehead from the beaming sun. Since they had been so near the sea, it seemed that the sun had emitted twice the heat as before. She patted Grimbo on the neck. "Do you know where we are?"

Belford reached for his map, holding himself straight as Thunderfoot continued forward. He traced the road leading West from Dania. The detailed representation of the landscape compared to the open plains dotted with small oak trees told him that they were still quite a way from the border. It would likely be another week or two of travel, which would be extended as they would need at least one or two nights in a village for the horses to be properly cared for. "We seem to be somewhere around here. Vathan does not have any villages marked, but that does not mean we will not run into anything soon."

"There should be a temple soon, one on its own by the sea." Philip kept his eyes upon his tome until he finished his current page and slammed his tome shut. "Should you wish for a better place to rest than an open field."

"What do you think, Grimbo?" Evelyn patted Grimbo's neck. "Should we search for a place to rest?" Grimbo snorted in agreement, joined by Grifford. Thunderfoot pressed forward without response, but Belford agreed as well.

"How long before we are there?" Belford asked, staring intently at their current path on Vathan's map. "Perhaps Vathan would appreciate us adding landmarks where we find them."

"Before the sun sets we should come upon its gates. It is truly a lovely place," Philip said with a smile. "And the minister is a dear friend of mine."

Evelyn lit up with a smile. "How dear is this friend of yours?"

Philip scowled. "All friends are dear to me, for she has gifted me with their presence!" He paused, easing his frustration and allowing himself to smile. "Though I will say this friend may be more dear than the others."

Evelyn held in a chuckle, turning to Belford to share her amusement as Philip appeared to be lost in thought about his friend. Midday grew to early evening, and she reveled in the cooling breeze that was brought along with it. She grew more and more excited as the trail began drawing them closer to the sea. Philip pointed out a landmark that placed the temple within an hour's ride. A place to sleep that was not the open ground or the foot of a tree was always a lovely escape, even if their time was held to a single night. She had yet to find anything to compare to her bed from before, though she thought that was hardly fair given that Maligwa lives in another plane of existence.