What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 8

Alyard and Javvad decided to catch up on things as Feralo and I sat in the living room. The morning sun shone into the room. Feralo, eating yet anything pancake, stared at him with those twinkling blue eyes.
"So what?"
"Are you and Alyard in... love?"
"To be completely honest, I don't know." I shrugged a bit.
Feralo slightly smirked, and he gave a wink. "Alyard seems to fancy ya quite a bit."
I did not respond.
"You seem to fancy him as well." He puckered his lips in intimidation of me.
My eyebrows go downwards to express my anger.
"Stop that!" I felt sheepish. "We're just close friends, that is all."
Feralo smirked even more, and I felt my cheeks go redder than ever.
"Or, do you perhaps fancy Prince Scott?"
"Ew, of course! He's too much of a bastard, in my opinion."
We laughed in unison. I then realized that we have been at Javvad's for nearly four days- far longer than anticipated. It was about time to get back on.

"No!"

"Please! I want to stay here because we get free food!"

"Feralo, you're 13, not 5! We have to continue. We could perhaps ask Javvad if we can have some extra supplies for the remainder of the trip."

"I want to stay here! We have to if I say so!"

"Feralo," I put out assertively. "It doesn't work like that. We NEED to arrive in Zalfa as soon as we can. Besides, you can't invite yourself to live with Javvad."

Feralo's eyes began to redden. Was it something I said?

"I'm sorry," Feralo's voice trembled and cracked. "I-I'm sorry."

"About what?"

He turned away, the palms of his hands covering his face. "It's just I never had a 'real' home. I've never had the availability of food, comfort, and shelter. I finally found somewhere I belong, where I can live a decent life."

I felt pity for him. He's never had an official home. He's never had somewhere he could eat a full meal, he never had a place that had shelter, and he's never had a decent place to live.

Feralo shook his head.
"You're right. We need to get back on the road to Zalfa," he agreed. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get there."
I smiled and hugged him. "I know it's hard for you, but we're all in this together," I commented. "Come on, let's go see and talk to Alyard and Javvad."

Feralo and I walked out into the summer heat and went up to Alyard and Javvad, who were laughing like two men in a pub. They drew their attention towards us. Alyard looked much more robust and awake than he did four days ago. Javvad went up to me and put that surprisingly small hand atop my shoulder.

"Erline," he said. "It's time for you and Alyard to head back on the road. I want you to find your special book as soon as you can."

I nodded. "Feralo and I were actually discussing that."

Javvad laughed. "You three should collect your items and get your luggae together. I'll lend you guys a few horses."

I beam with elation. "Thank you so, so much!"

Alyard smiled, and Feralo ate the chocolate cake he found on the table. Javvad went to steal a piece of the cake, but Feralo just smacked Javvad's hand, which made us whirl with a windstorm of laughter.

Alyard went pack up all of our things together, and Feralo decided to go in the nearby plains to mess with ducks. I headed out to Javvad's stables and gazed at the horses. There were around 6 horses. They all were beautiful and majestic. Their manes flowed in the wind and glittered like fairy wings in the sun. One caught my eye. It was fairly big, had long silver hair, not grandma-like hair, but moon-like hair that shimmered like the moon when it reflects off a lake. It also was as black as night. Its eyes were golden like stars above.

"That's Nyx," a voice said behind me. It was Javvad. I smiled as I stroked Nyx's hair.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Javvad said, filling up buckets with water from the nearby well.

"Very," I stroke her snout. Her eyes flickered with affection. The wind was strong and made her mane flow like a princess's.

"You could borrow her for your journey if you'd like." proffered Javvad.

"I'd love to," as I went over to help carry the buckets of waters, which was for the horses to drink.

"Anyways, I have to down to the kitchen to make sure Feralo hasn't eaten everything."

I chuckle. "All right,"

A few hours later, we were back indoors due to a thunderstorm occurring. Alyard and I sat in the dining room as Feralo and Javvad prepared our last meal together. We sat in silence. Alyard wrote a letter to his father, informing him of what's going on and where we're currently. I brush out all of the knots in my waist-length hair and put it into its usual braid. I scoot up next to him on the couch as he wrote the letter. I felt the "spark" growing more and more I'm around him.

"Hey, Alyard?" I broke the silence.

"What's up?" He said, smiling whilst putting his quill down to give me his full attention.

I wanted to admit I love him. I loved his looks, but most importantly, his personality. I loved him for him. How'd he feel about me, though?

I stared into his brown eyes that looked like melted chocolate on a summer day.

"Alyard, I love you." I conceded. "Your personality is so endearing, and you are such a friendly soul. You're, of course, very handsome, but I love you for who you are."

He smiled shyly and blushed like a tomato. I redden, feeling a bit sheepish.

"Erl," he took my hands into his. The spark grew. "I love you too. The moment I laid eyes on you, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the whole world. I also love you for you."

I lept into his arms and hugged him very tightly. I then sat back next to him.

"Erline, will you be mine?"

With those words, I felt my universe turn into a rainbow.

"Yes, yes I will."