บท 472: River Crossing
Far from the action in Oblivion, four intrepid heroes moved through valleys along the water's edge. Without horses, it was far easier to follow the natural line of the river until the line of the mountains flattened out.
They had not yet reached that point, and at the rate they were going, they would not reach it any time soon. Walking was slow, though not as slow as it had been when walking with the crowd of people that Gandr was leading.
North beyond Oblivion, there was at most a farm here or there, even up to the ice barrier, but the wild and unforgiving land was mostly uninhabited by humans. It was not a tame place and living off the land without others to support them was not for the faint of heart.
That was how Livie and her band had hidden quite comfortably without drawing attention. No one who didn't know how to handle themselves would ever wander so far from home.
For the dangers that lurked in the wild lands were not tame. Yet some, like the massive mole, were a known quantity and able to be avoided.
Seeing the disturbed ground, Alaron had been able to move them silently past the fearsome creature by directing them through the field of holes without making a sound. There was no need to repeat his magical clap to scare it off, which was just as well. The Guardian had sworn off magic anyway.
Other horrors were less predictable and arguably more deadly.
Whether magic or mundane, there were more than a few things in the far north that could kill an unwise traveler. Alaron wondered how his parents had made it through these lands without a map or any real protection.
Of course they had the protection of Hanna. "Justum, you don't happen to be lurking, do you? Because that would be really convenient right about now." Alaron paused, felt nothing, and sighed.
He had not heard from the Fate since being at the river back by Valiant.
After months of Justum's almost constant attention, the absence of the condescending ethereal being was felt by the young Guardian.
It was like losing a compass which had been guiding him steadily. Thankfully he had another, stronger pull in his twin, or he would have felt adrift.
Instead, his purpose was clear: help his sister, find Dania and save the world from Taran and his ilk.
None of those would be easy, especially without Justum's help. But Alaron would still have to try…and succeed.
The overall feeling with the group was somber. Both the thoughts of those they left behind and those they were seeking gave them much to consider.
The princess wondered about her father. Her expression was grim. She hoped silently that he was alright.
Mairwen's grey hair blew in the gentle breeze of the mountain air. It had yet to be changed back by the magical comb and gave her a tragic look.
Walking next to her wolfish husband and the stoic guard, the princess looked like the fallen hero returning from battle. Yet the battle was still ahead.
Alaron felt like something needed to change. Since they were walking a quiet stretch of land, he felt this was a perfect time to lighten the mood.
"Hey, old lady, I thought it would take longer before you looked so much older than me!" Alaron pretended to be offended at the wrinkles painted on to his sister's face.
Mairwen cast a sidelong glance at him. It was obvious to her what he was doing. "Oh?" she answered calmly. "Last time I checked you were looking aged as well."
Alaron pushed back his hood. His unnaturally white hair shone like fresh snow, giving him an otherworldly look. His make up was gone. The Guardian did not look aged at all. He looked timeless.
"We have nearly the same color hair and yet yours looks handsome while mine looks haggard," the princess pulled her own grey strands in front of her face.
"Ah, that is because I got my hair from the Maker and yours is from a magical comb." Alaron tossed the colorful object to Mairwen so she could begin to turn her hair dark once more.
"When did you remove all the goop from your face?" Eira was as confused. She had seen how much effort Duchess Ashleigh had put into aging both of them. It was no small task to get it off.
"The last time we stopped for water, I took to scrubbing my face of that mess. I don't see how you ladies wear that stuff all the time. I swear it itches!" Alaron instinctively scratched his cheek as he thought about it.
The two ladies covered their grins. "Beauty is pain," Mairwen quoted the old adage.
"I wasn't even beautiful, so why was it so painful?" Alaron's fake whine seemed to echo down the valley. It was strange and funny to hear the wail take on life of its own.
"I don't know what you mean. You never looked better in your life." The princess giggled.
"Teasing from my very own sister! Will wonders never cease?" Alaron was glad to see his prodding had the desired effect. They all seemed in a much better place than they had just a moment ago.
Even Renat, who had been completely silent since they left Oblivion, seemed to have a small smile on his face. He watched as his wife finished turning her hair back to its lustrous black sheen.
"Mairwen doesn't need make up to be beautiful," the scientist mused aloud. "Her natural state is perfect."
"I like you in your natural state too," the princess reached out and patted her husband's furry arm. "And we will return you to it as soon as possible."
The couple locked eyes as they brimmed with hope that things might be able to go back to normal. The life they had planned together was still within reach, they just had to conquer the obstacles together.
Because she wasn't watching where she was going, Mairwen tripped and began to fall to the ground. However she need not have worried. Her husband's reaction time as a monster was even sharper than normal, and he caught her up in his arms without scratching her with his claws.
Relieved at the tender touches of her husband, the princess snuggled into his embrace. The world around them faded as the newlyweds enjoyed a tender moment.
Alaron held his throat and choked. "We went from serious to silly to sappy in a matter of minutes. I wonder what the next emotion will be?"
Eira answered without hesitation, "Fear." Drawing her sword, the soldier seemed to sense a change in the air even before the Guardian or the wolf.
It only took a moment for Alaron to hear it too. His echoing whine through the valley had attracted the attention of something...no... many somethings.
"Get to the other side of the river!" Renat yelled before the Guardian could. His ears could tell that whatever was coming was on the same side as they were. And it was coming fast.
Placing Mairwen on his back, the wolf waded into the water and leapt into the current.
"Give me your armor!" Alaron ordered Eira. "You cannot swim with it on."
There was a momentary hesitation where Eira was trying to decide if she should stay and fight, but in the end, she quickly unlatched the metal. Passing it to Alaron, Eira watched as the armor and sword disappeared into the recesses of the silver-eyed man's cloak.
"Now come on!" The Guardian grabbed the woman's hand, and together they plunged into the water.
It was biting cold, but the current was manageable.
"I can swim," Mairwen protested. She attempted to climb off her husband's back, but he gave a low growl.
"I will feel better and swim faster if I know you are safe," the scientist answered before she could release him.
Visions of being separated from his wife due to this very same river flooded Renat's senses. His vision began to blur into red when the brown wolf felt Mairwen squeeze him tightly around his neck.
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered in his ear from behind.
The two actions and a splash of icy water were enough to bring back Renat from the brink. He paddled harder, knowing his and Mairwen's lives were at stake.
Making it to the far edge, the prince and princess climbed up on the shore line, dripping but unharmed. Not long behind them, Alaron and Eira joined them, panting from the exertion.
On the far shore an army had gathered to oppose them. At the lead, a boar nearly as tall as Alaron's shoulder and at least four times as heavy as the Guardian grunted at the four humans who had invaded his land.
Behind him, dozens of horned pigs stared ominously across the river as they eyed the intruders. For a moment, time stood still as the angry animals decided what they would do.
Then with a might snarl of determination, their leader dove into the river.
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