Dream Realms

Chapter V

The next motning, I was pulled out of bed by child's protest at dawn. Lilian made us chicken porridge for breakast and there was not a shadow of Ash. Late sleeper. 

"I found it!! Heaven's Bless! I found it!!" Bakaun exclaimed, running out from his spellwell room. 

Curiouse, I asked, "What is it?"

He shot me a smug grin. "Praise me human! I might have just found you a way back to Earth." HIs words lit a trail of hope in my heart. I eagerly listened as he continued. " You see, I was scrying over the land when I came pon a strange piece of information. An old witch by the name of Maldra is the guardian of the world tree, Yggdrasil. Seek for her help and you should be able to go back." I clapped my hands and gave Bakaun a big hug.

"Thank you, Thank you so much." I wiped a bit of tears from my eyes. Inside, I have missed my family. Just before I was swept off to this world, My mother had been expecting a little brother. And everything was just going so well...I sighed. Nothing was going to change anything now.

"So when do you think I shold head out?" I asked Bakaun.

"Whenever." He gave me a vague answer. I gritted my teeths. I really shouldn't scream at someone who had been so hospitable to me. Swallowing my words, I asked, "Umm, do you have a map or something that can help me get there?"

"Hmm, I think I can draw one, wait here." With that, Bakaun, left the dining area and went back to his spellwell room.

He came back almost immediatly with a hand drawn map. It was intricate and full of detail. 

"So to sum it up, we are here." He pointed at the eastern corner of the map where a small vilalge was drawn. "At the village of Ras'Sha, and Yggdrasil is here." He pointed to the middle south west region of the map. I nodded. "Now, to get to Yggdrasil, you will have to travel through the forlorn woods and the Northern plains. That is the safest way to get there, not including the dangers already inclulded in that path. In fact, it probably the only way to get there. The other path were overgrown with brambles and thorns over time, so that is the only path you are able to pass through." He traced a small road heading north and coming down. 

The word "danger" did not appeal to me. 

"So how can I get there? When should I head out? Do I need anything? What should I -" 

"One question at a time please."

I paused. "What are the dangers you speak of?" I asked.

"Well, in the northern plains, it is in the realm of Mab of the unseelie court. I am a Hobgoblin, but I belong to neither court, so I have no information on there. But it is said that monsters of all kinds reside in the forlorn woods, so I have little information on that also.

I was about to get depressed. 

"But I think..." Bakaun hesitated.

"You think?"

"I think Ash may help you." He stated.

"What? Ash? No way am I traveling with him!" I shouted. 

"No way what?"

Ash stood by the door looking confused.

"Nothing, we were talking about nothing." I quickly lied.

"No, I hear an argument over here. You were obviously discussing something." Ash crossed his arms stubbornly.  He walked closer until he practically loomed over me. "So tell me again, what were you talking about?" He asked.

"Errr...Alright I will tell you. Bakaun wants you to come with me to Yggdrasil to find the witch Maldra." 

Ash looked thoughtful. "Hey Bakaun, will it interfere with that?" He called oer his shoulders.

"Nope." Bakaun replied.

Ash turned to me with a huge grin on his face. "Rejoice princess, you found yourself a bodyguard." He smirked. I sighed in exasperation. 

"We set out tomorrow at light." Ash said in a decided voice.

"Hey I haven't -" Ash cut off my protest. 

"It's the sooner the better right?" He winked.

I couldn't argue back. I did want to go home.

"Fine." I replied. And went back into my room to pack my things.

I looked at all the pretty dresses that Lilian bought me. Shame that I can't wear them. I sighed. The leather armor arrived today. I hung it over my chair. I would wear it starting tomorrow. I prepared my other outfits and began packing. It was going to be a long night.

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"Hey princess wakey wakey. The sun is shining." A voice called above me. I yawned and opened my eyes. Ash's face peered down at me. 

I yawned and glanced out the window.

"The sun hasn't even risen yet you know." I stated obviously.

"I know, but it will. Now up up and come down for breakfast. We leave when the first rays shine." With that, Ash left.

I reached out over the covers to test the room temperature. It felt so cold. I wanted to stay in bed snugly until mid day like I usually do at home. 

I heard the chirps of child downstairs, and the smell of breakfast wafted up from the kitchen. I slowly rolled out of bed and put on the traveling gears. I slung my backpack over my shoulders and took my staff with me downstairs for breakfast.

It was a very filling meal. I ate as much as I could since in all the adventure books I read before, the protagonist get very littl to eat once they "set out." When I finished, I went outside. Ash was already waiting for me with two horses.

"A horse. Cool." I commented. "But I don't know how to ride one."

Ash chuckled, "It's easy. i will teach you along the way, just tighten your legs to start riding and pull on the reigns when you want to stop." 

I nodded. It sounded easy enough. When I went back in to the tree/house to get provisions for the journey Lilian awaited me with my leather armor.

"Wow, it looks beautiful." I looked at it admiringly. I extended my arms and Lilian helped me put it on. It wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be, but it wasn't a full set of armor either. I went to the mirror. Cool and kickass. I smiled. Digging my daggers from my bagpack, I slid them into the holders by the belt. I also shifted the quiver to be on my shoulder/back area. It was alot like wearing one of those bags which are not handbags, but has a long strap so the strap goes on oneside and the bag on the other. Except the Quiver goes on the back instead. 

I brought my bagpack out of the house and attached it near the saddle. Bakaun, Lilian, and child stood by the door. After setting food and other stuff in, I turned to them.

"Well, I guess this is it." I said. Child whimpered. Bakaun slowly approached me and held my hand.

"Human, know this is a very dangerous journey. Beware of all the creatures in this world. Their are faries, spirits, and other things you don't even want to know. Here," He thrusted something into my hand, "i hope this helps." 

"Thank you for everything Bakaun. really." I said softly. He patted my back and went to talk to Ash. Child ran into my arms. "Bye child, I will see you next time." I whispered. I gave child a tight hug and waved goodbye to Lilian.

As Ash helped me mount my horse, I silently said a goodbye to them one more time in my head. I culd never thank Bakaun and everyone enough for saving me and taking me in to their house in this world. 

Following Ash's instruction, I nudged the horse to go. As i looked back, the house was veiled by mist. And I thought I heard a small whisper in my year.

"Bye Shyria."