What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 29

"Ah, you must be Mari's friend," a broad yet thin man glanced up from settling a little boy with flaxen hair onto the ground. The boy's eyes flickered with mischief- very much like Feralo when he was still with us. 

"Its nice to meet you," I sat on my knees, tucking my dress under my knees. Alyard mimicked my steps. "I am Erline, this is my partner, Alyard." 

"The name's Sawyer," he smirked as he chopped up the hard bread. "You've met Feralo, Mari, Faustina- here's the rest of the Pruitt clan, 5-year-old Timothy right here, oldest is our 17-year-old Saylor," he gestured towards Saylor who just entered the home, holding a bucket of what appeared to be water. 

"I have got us some water from the lake," her shy smile enhanced her rosy cheeks. "The water seemed fairly clean and thought it'd be better than leftover mead."

"We'll chow down on that water," he smiled to his daughter, who gently propped the bucket down, careful not to let it flood over mat we were dining from. 

"Mum told us about you," Saylor squatted down next to me. "Thank you for your kindness. Though this isn't much, we are very happy to have company for once."

"Absolutely no problem," I squeezed her hand, she chuckled and began gnawing on her bread.

Reality flickered off momentarily as I quickly realised that I was obliged to narrate Feralo's tragic tale. I gazed at those gaunt faces, stricken by hard labour. Was I only going to worsen things for the Pruitts; with their beloved relative deceased? 

"Erline," Mari whispered, tapping my wooden bowl, knocking me out of my trance. I looked up- eyes locked into hers- all full of shock and despair. I opened my mouth, attempting to ask what happened, but couldn't as I looked over at Sawyer, Saylor, and little Timothy. 

~

After a few minutes of silence, Mari cleared her throat, Faustina growing restless in her arms. Mari sighed and loosened her grip, allowing Faustina to go play with Timothy, to forget what she just has heard about her oldest brother. 

I locked my eyes down on my half-eaten bread and soup. A cold, calloused hand enveloped mine. 

"Erline," Mari sighed as she leaned back. "None of this is your fault. I'm grateful to know that my son is at peace..."

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to suddenly burst out like that ," I murmured, brushing a lose strand of hair out of my face, "I was lost in a trance, wondering how I'd tell you all, his family."

"It happens," Mari moved her hand up to my shoulder. "Sometimes, if not most of times, such defeating news is arduous to sputter out. He truly is Home, since you and Al were so kind to give him the traditional Geafran vigil. However, you never got to where that pony came from. You mentioned he was Feralo's, yes?"

I nodded. "Elfin was indeed Feralo's, we brought him here as Alyard and I thought he may help provide some comfort. For his size, he's actually quite strong, so he can help transport goods and help with potential business opportunities."

Mari nodded, entering into another period of silence. She glanced over at Sawyer and Saylor, wanting to hear their thoughts. 

"We could get back to helping on the Raven's farm," Sawyer suggested, Saylor agreeing. 

"It's settled then," Mari sighed, allowing the tension evaporate from her body. "Thank you, once again, for everything. Thank you for being such a good friend to Feralo."

~

After bidding our adieus to the Pruitts and Elfin, we marched our way through the thick brambles of the marsh. I snuck a glance towards the sky- it was now a washed-out royal blue, indicting that night was on the rise. 

"I don't know if this is strange," Alyard questioned. "But... I feel an odd sensation of calmness, is it just me?" 

"Feralo is now back with his family," I smiled sadly. "Though he isn't here physically, they now have learnt his fate and won't ever have to worry about where his whereabouts, as he's nestled his way into their hearts."

Alyard nodded, looking back at the silhouette of the shrinking shelter as we further approached the stables. 

"I know the main objective of this voyage was to uncover your father," he took my hand, lightly squeezing it. "but we also discovered things that we didn't even know about ourselves. If I haven't bumped onto you during that hunt so many months ago, I... I don't know who'd I be this moment."

"Never in my life have I ever thought I'd 'rebel'," I reddened as I envisioned past-self throwing on an old pair of boots, heading into the unknown world ahead of me. "I never knew I had this... I don't know, courage, I suppose, in me. I've rather always been more submissive and never wanted to disobey my mother. I thought I knew everything when I stepped out my cottage's door, but if I haven't had met you, I'd likely be dead due to my lack of survival skills." 

"I wouldn't lay my finger on you being dead," he smirked. "In all seriousness, you've had that courage in you. All this time of travelling with you, I've seen you grow in so many different ways."

"Al," I looked down at my feet, shoes sodded with mud and water. "You're the one I owe my thanks to. Without you in my life, I wouldn't have find not only my soulmate, father, but I wouldn't have become the actual 'me.'" 

He tucked my hair behind my ear, pecked my forehead, and drew me towards him. I wrapped my arms around him and positioned my head onto his chest. He gradually pulled away, holding my arms. 

"As much as I'd love for this to last for infinity," he said, the sides of his mouth slightly tilting to form that smirk. "We should make sure that Helivi isn't drowning himself in drinks... perhaps Gael, as well."

"Let's proceed, you flirt."