What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 21

I sat there and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath in and letting it out. I opened my eyes once again and scanned over the familiar yet so unfamiliar faces around me. Laughter, chatter, and tears rang in my ears. We were all done feasting on rolls and hearty stew.

"Jeroff... Freddy..." I inquired softly, breaking the loud laughter. "Would have Caoimhe been happy to see me, or upset that I left the nest of Nilopoia?"

Jeroff gestured a hand towards Freddy, signaling her for her to address my question. "Knowing her... she would of course loved seeing her bundle of joy after so many years. Being nurturing and protective, she might have wondered about why and how you came all the way here... but she would've cradled you in her arms as if you were just born."

I smiled and finished my third cup of that delightful tea. I glanced outside the window. The early hours of the evening were approaching, making the sky a darker grey.

After a few moments of accompanied silence, Father set his dishes to the side and cleared his throat.

"I thank you for greeting us so warmly," he hugged Jeroff and then Freddy, causing Freddy to slightly tower over him. "We have Gneral Uli and Edoaurd, a knight of his, waiting for us-"

"Eddie, Uli!" Jeroff trilled. "Ah- they pass by every now and then! Primarily the boy, though. Such cordial people. How come they didn't join us?"

"Uli wasn't feeling well and decided to sit and enjoy the weather," Alyard shrugged. "He kept insisting that he satys behind as we go along, and Ed wanted to accompany Uli to tend to any wounds or whatnot."

Freddy put a finger signaling for us to wait a second and proceeded her way towards the surplus of food in the back, dim room. She came out with sacks of what appeared to be apples, carrots, peppers, grapes, and even plums. She handed them over to Father.

"Ah- these delights should help him feel better," she claimed. "We stocked up on a quite of bit and were planning to sell these anyway. In your luck, these don't cost a single pence and are still fresh!"

~

After a little while of rejoicing more, we all decided it was best to return to Edouard and Uli. I gave Freddy a warm tight hug, catching a whiff of her rose-scented hair. Jeroff gave me a hearty handshake, going down the line to bid the others farewell as well.

We all walked in a tranquil silence as we promenaded our way down back to the others. The wind picked up a tad more, rustling the growing grass underneath my feet.

As my eyes zoned out into the wilderness ahead of me, my mind rumbled with a storm of thoughts and questions. Now that I have officially reunited with my Father, where will we go? Remain here or in Nilopoia? Despite me being a fully-grown woman, I still needed the guidance and wisdom of Casa... considering the fact that she was the one who had raised me. But Father... I could not bear the thought of saying farewell to him... and also to Edouard and Uli. Alyard is not too much of a concern, since he does live in the main city back home.

I pressed my forehead as my head began to throb. I indeed have completed the first part of my journey, but the other half is unbeknownst.

~

From the distance, I heard laughter emerge between Uli and Edouard. That sprung a smile to my face; grateful that they were able to keep one another jubilant. As we grew closer, I noticed that Ed was actually giving Uli a shoulder massage.

"My old muscles and bone definitely feel better," Uli exclaimed as he sighed in relief upon our arrival.

"What can I say," Edouard smirked. "I have plenty of experience myself..."