Legends Lost: Amborese

Chapter III -- Lost and Found

Amborese and Philip wandered in the Lil' Montes searching for a way out for three days. The winter storms and their limited knowledge of the woods made the task nearly impossible. They were hit by yet another heavy snowstorm, only to find it melted away the next day, with only a few patches of ice remaining. They meandered along swinging their arms lazily. A sinking feeling grew in Amborese's stomach that they were lost.

"This place looks familiar," Amborese commented as they walked.

"Why do you say that?" asked Philip.

"Well, that tree looks like the one we passed yesterday. That rock bears a striking resemblance to the one we saw two days ago. And I doubt that those bushes have been wandering through the woods, showing their faces whenever we stop, just to confuse us. Face it, Philip, we're lost."

"I think you've been spending too much time with Sposa. You seem to have picked up her unusual talent of sarcasm," Philip said. When he noticed Amborese divert her eyes to the ground, he knew he had said too much. "I'm sure that they are at the Stone Tavern wondering where we are. We will see them again. Don't you worry."

"It's not just that, Philip. Everyone I've come close to in this journey has been-- Well, Zolo is gone. Scypher is-," Amborese broke off, her voice quivered as tears filled her eyes.

"Amborese, do you really think that a little rock slide is going to keep that wizard from finishing what he had set out to do? And Scypher, I doubt he is going to sit back and do nothing while the only woman he loves is on a perilous journey." Amborese shot Philip a look to which he added, "I've seen the way you two look at each other. And I caught Sposa talking in her sleep a few times. We cannot give up on them. They would never give up on us."

Amborese silently agreed, but she missed them terribly and worried that Philip's statements were wishful thinking. She stared at the massive tree in front of her. An idea tickled the back of her mind. Her father had once told her how to find her way while they were hiking through the forest near her home. She dropped her pack and approached the tree. "What are you doing?" Philip asked.

"Climbing the tree to see if I can find a path to lead us out of here," she replied.

"No, you're not," Philip said, pushing Amborese aside and handing her his pack, "I'll climb the tree. We Byleons are excellent climbers. And I'll not risk you breaking your neck."

Philip hadn't exaggerated. His small size allowed him to climb the tree with ease, never slipping or losing his balance. He moved with the movements of a squirrel always finding just the right branch to hold onto or the right spot to place his foot. Amborese marched around the trunk impatiently as she waited for Philip to come back down.

"I can just make out the town of Castille," said Philip, "There is a path not far from here. We need to head a little northward. We should reach it before nightfall."

In truth, Amborese and Philip did not reach the path until long after nightfall. The woods played tricks on them, making them lose their way or think that they were being followed. Amborese jumped repeatedly as she thought that she heard some deep, hissing noises nearby soon after they had found the path. The trees seemed to move and loomed over them. Even the occasional hooting of an owl startled her. Amborese tried to ignore her anxiety. She thought her mind was playing tricks on her. When she reached Castille, she would— Amborese stopped musing. Another hiss echoed in the night air.

"Philip," she said, "You have extensive knowledge of the creatures that live in Tesnayr. Are there any dangers in these parts?"

"There are rumors of Vasillean Serpents living near here. They are giant snakes that generally live underground. They're twice the size of a man and can eat a Byleon whole. In fact, they-," Philip stopped speaking. He suddenly realized why Amborese had asked the question. He heard an ominous hissing and recognized it. It matched the stories. But what were they doing above ground? He pulled out his sword and pushed Amborese to the ground just as a serpent surged toward them.