The Crossing (Book 1)

Chapter 14

     "Noa found your family, didn't he?" Cera raised her eyebrows and gave a wide smile. She was becoming more and more interested in the story as Trill showed it to them, "But how did your family keep going if you never left the mist?"

     Trill smiled down at Cera, "Sometimes just being with someone can be considered life or death." Her eyes twinkled as she stared at Cera, "Also, that was before Noa came. After Noa arrived, my family had no problems leaving the valley as often as they could. Except for my mother who believed that everything she needed was in the valley. Thank goodness she was right in her case or I would not be alive today."

     "Life and death huh?" Cera was holding in her laughter.

     "Why don't I just get back to the story now?" Trill slowly blinked her eyes and shook her head trying to shake her sleepiness.

     Cera frowned, "You look tired Trill, we can stop so you can rest."

     "No, I haven't been sleeping all that well and sleeping will be much easier after I show you everything." Trill pushed her back farther into her chair, "Now, where was I?"

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     Amarundia and Noa stood in the valley surrounded by mist unable to see more than two feet in front of them.

     "Hello?" Noa cupped his hands to his mouth, "Can anyone hear me?"

     I am quite certain that the whole valley can hear you, my lord. Amarundia tilted her head toward Noa and then suddenly turned when she heard footsteps.

     "You would be right about that, my giant white friend."

     Walking through the mist, while clearing a path like a tunnel to Noa and Amarundia, was a tall thin woman who looked to be a few years older than Noa. She had long, thick, red hair that flowed past the small of her back in light curls. Her eyes were surrounded by long, thick lashes that skirted a beautiful vibrant green that reminded Noa of Lauvallaria.

     Staring deep into his eyes, she blinked slowly, "Hello Noa, I have been waiting for you."

     "Have you? How did you know I would come and how do you know my name?"

     "We share a gift, you and I. You still have much to learn about it and I would be glad to show you what you can see if you would like."

     "I do not understand. What I can see?" Noa frowned in confusion.

     "Yes. There is much you have yet to learn."

     "Could we start with your name?" Noa heard Amarundia lay down in the grass but knew she kept a close watch on him.

     "I am Myst." She smiled kindly at Noa.

     "Really?" Noa looked around at the mist that surrounded them, "Any relationship between you and what we are standing in?"

     "Only that my mother found it to be peaceful and beautiful, so she decided to name me after it."

     "Is there a name for this place?"

     "No."

     "Really? That will not do, will it? I have a feeling that this will be a place that many people will talk about for all time. I think this place should be known as the Valley of Mist from this day forward. Seems fitting I think."

     "If you wish. Should we talk about why you are here?" Myst started to walk past Noa in the opposite direction from which she had come, "Please, if you would follow me while we talk, there is somewhere that I would like to take you."