What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 31

A light layer of grey clouds glazed the blue sky. The scent of the night's drizzle greeted us as we wandered to the stables, just down the street from the pub. I glanced over my shoulder at the pub, wishing Kev all of the luck for his business.

We shoved our luggage under the seats and proceeded to situate ourselves, the horses were eager to gallop as they finished breaking their fast.

"Allience, correct?" Helivi craned his neck to face us.

"That would be correct," I confirmed. "My home is a cottage in the outskirts, but just to keep things simple, just head over to the stables, just near the city gates."

"Alrighty," he turned himself over, clicking his tongue. "I reckon' we are about halfway to Allience, then."

As the carriage began jumping over the cobbled road, my heart began palpitating, I grew more alert- the adrenaline kicking in as I realised that I would be home by this evening. I would see Casa, my humble cottage, the forest, everything from what seemed to be my 'past' life. Only now, things would be quite different, for the better.

"To be honest," Alyard said, straightening his posture and stretching his arms. "I never thought we would have the luxury of being escorted home in a carriage. I was perturbed that we would have to dodge spears and maces again, specifically those Jilonabs."

"We're very fortunate," I added to his thoughts. "I did not want to go through that ancient Girth and be reminded of those horrors bestowed upon us."

"Yeah, me too." Alyard sighed as he remembered that fateful day, losing Feralo to those damned trolls that claimed to be guards. Thankfully, they were not associated with the Zalfan Royal Knights, as that would've altered the whole journey in its entirety.

"Ah, the old Zalfan Grith," Father mustered. "Those damn assassins still inhabit it? Thought they ran off years ago... bastards. I encountered them quite often when I was on campaigns back when I was first starting out as a knight."

"Unfortunately, they still lurk around in those forbidden woods. That's where our late friend, Feralo, met his grisly fate. His was murdered in cold blood by the hands of those Jilonab guards." Alyard expounded, Father giving a sad smile.

"I hope that do they perish," Father knocked the wooden paneling of the coachmen's seat, quickly getting Helivi's attention.

"Do report that to Uli, Dasniz if possible, of the assassin's occupation of the Grith," Father ordered him, eye brows furrowing.

"Trust me," Helivi rotated his head back to the road. "Any report I receive goes back to the men themselves."

~

"I believe we have arrived at the Allience stables," Helivi reported, twisting back to face us to get confirmation. I peeked out of the carriage's round window and saw the stableman tend to his horses' hooves. I recognised his unique light brown locks- laced with red and golden tones that enhanced his rosy cheeks. Even after confirming this is the stables, we all remained seated, including Helivi whom still held the reins in his hands.

Dumbfounded, I glanced towards the forest where of which my home resided- the meadow peeking in between the gapes of the trees. I blinked away emerging tears and regarded all three men, who also seemed just as stupefied as myself.

Squatting on my knees, I tapped Helivi's shoulder.

"Helivi," I softly said as I took his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. "Though I know we have not known each other that long, I feel like I really have found a lifelong friend in you. I appreciate everything you have done for us- from your witty jokes and your undying courage to escort us all the way home, despite the potential challenges."

"I am going to miss your company, your presence. I wish you a safe journey back to Zalfa. Please never hesitate to write me- us- letters. Again, thank you."

His eyes watered as he smiled, giving me silent reassurance that it was he pleasure and he also has found friends in the three of us.

After Alyard and Father provided their gratitude to Helivi, Helivi closed his eyes, smiling, almost as if he were swept away in some sort of reverie.

"Thank you guys for befriending this ol' man," he opened his eyes, exhaling. "I know Dasniz and Uli are good friends of mine as well, finding connections outside of the castle is quite nice. Now, I ain't have the greatest writing skills, but this ol' man promises that he'll pen y'all as much as he can."

"Ah, the horses..." he murmured as he unhooked them from the carriage, took off the reins, and gestured them towards us. He nodded towards the stocky stableman, who appeared to have finished polishing up the hooves of his horses. "Don't cha worry; Wylmot and I got some good ties with one another. Take good care of your horses, lad and lass." He gave us a cheeky smirk and made his way over to Wylmot, presumably to barter his way of obtaining the best horses for an adequate price.

"Typical of him," Father smirked as he glanced over his shoulder towards Helivi's direction.

~

It was now dusk, the pale blue cascading into the light orange and purple shades heaving down the sun. After watching Helivi leave with his new horses, we sat down near a pond to feast on our leftover food, or rather, scraps.

As I was finishing up my bread, I regarded the city and towards my cottage's direction. We have not yet drawn to a conclusion of where we would first head to, first to Casa's or back to Gery?

Observing my stern face, Alyard perked up after slumping down whilst he finished off some drink.

"I have been wondering the same," he stated, Father darting eyes between the two of us.

"Alyard lives in the city," I explained. "He lives with his father, Gery Ferguson, who runs the butchery."

"Ah, yes!" Father's eyes lit up. "The butcher! Before I departed, I used to purchase meat from him. I never knew his name- all I knew about him is that he did have a little son and ran the shop himself- at the time being."

Alyard laughed. "Sounds about right. I mainly do the hunting whilst he runs the shop- me occasionally running it if he's ill or just needs time to himself."

"We haven't really discussed who we would visit first," I added.

"Well," Alyard said. "We could always have either of them come with us to visit the other. We do have the horses with us, though, and it would be hard to tend to them within the city."

"Correct," I concurred. "Father, I know you want to see Casa as soon as possible- how about we head there first, keep the horses there, and we come back to visit Gery with Casa?"

"As long as I do see her, that's all that matters to me."