What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 19

The sun appeared silver as it peeped from the thick layer of grey clouds. I assumed it was a possibility it might drizzle later on in the day, but hopefully not a storm. 

The ground was very mushy as we trotted our way. My nose embraced the robust mossy scent - which made me feel so serene.

The Glacien river had coddled down back to its original size but left huge muddy puddles sloping the ground. The Cheminage Bridge appeared more archaic than it initially did, possibly due to the impounding stress of last night's tempest. 

I gazed at the vibrant green hill before me- the house wasn't quite visible from where we were standing, but I could vaguely decipher the silhouette of a cooper roof peaking slightly as if it were a child playing hide-in-seek.

Suddenly, I felt my stomach tie itself into a knot. I was possibly minutes away from my father- that I have not seen in over 18 years. However, there was always the lurking possibility that this man was not my father. Though I obviously did trust Uli and Edouard, what would happen afterwards if this man was not Gael? What would become of me?

We all stopped on top of a hill- standing side-to-side. The house wasn't quite on top of the hill, which I initially illustrated in my mind. It was tucked in between the crevices of a multitude of surrounding hills. The house was fairly large, especially considering most commoners lived in smaller houses. The roof was the colour of a copper coin, and the house's base was a faded beige. Cabbage patches, wheat fields, livestock, and sheep surrounded the house, concluding it was a farm.

I felt droplets fall from the sky and fall on my face. Alyard caught notice and swept them off of my face, and tucked my damp hair behind my ear. His eyes shimmered with hope and reassurance as if he caught onto my nerves. 

Thunder interrupted our transfixion on the house. 

"Great," Edouard heaved, smoothing back his now-frizzy locks due to the rain and humidity. "I look like a fire imp when my poofs it!" He rapidly licked his fingers to slick his mane even more, ironically making it worse and even dirtier. Uli's hair, already slicked back enough, was even more slicked back, giving him a slight resemblance to a badger without ears. 

"Okay, imp, nymph, and merman," Uli retorted. "We should get to the house as soon as we can, so we won't drown in this stream." 

"Merman?" Alyard's voice squeaked- I tried to choke back my laughter but failed in the end. 

Ignoring Alyard's reaction, Uli began pacing his way on the path that led to the house's entrance. We proceeded after him, hoping that we are soon to accomplish our destiny.

The rain began to lighten up as we progressed towards the house.  

As we approached the porch, a medium-sized dog with long, fluffy white and black fur cautiously made his way towards us.  He probably helped fend off any predators or threats.

"Hello there, mister," Edouard squatted down and let out his hand for the dog to sniff. The dog reluctantly looked at him with wide eyes but proceeded to sniff his hand for an oddly long amount of time. After a few moments, the dog backed away and gazed at all got of us, wagging his fluffy tail as in approval.

"Louve!" a low, smooth, and rich voice called. "Louve!" 

The dog rapidly spun around in response to his name.  Out from behind the house, a slim, average-height, middle-aged man popped from the corner. He had deep dark brown eyes, the colour of tree bark. He had a dainty pointy chin paired with elegant cheekbones. His hair was a rich golden-brown, with specks of blond, possibly from the sun (whenever it came out, that is) peeping here and there.