A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) by Heather Lorenz Page A

beautiful,” Woodphere said, staring ahead and reliving the memory.
    “We became instant friends and when I learned she had always wanted to meet royalty I invited her to the palace and introduced her to King Simian. He promptly fell in love with her and hired her as a nurse for Drinian, who was a toddler at the time.”
    “Aw... Drinian how cute!” Constance replied.
    “If you say so,” Drinian responded.
    “By the time Kathryn had spent six months in the castle King Simian proposed to her, but she turned him down, for she loved another,” Woodphere continued.
    “Who?” Constance asked in curiosity.
    “Why yours truly of course,” Woodphere replied.
    “My mother was in love with you, Woodphere? Wasn't there a bit of age difference?”
    “How old do you think I am?” 
    “At least forty-five,” Constance replied.
    “Close enough, no need to guess any older.”
    “Because you are older,” Drinian muttered.
    “Your Majesty, it is not proper to discuss others ages.”
    “Please Woodphere, could you continue on about my mother.”
    “Anyway, I proposed to Kathryn, but she refused me also.”
    “Why?”
    “She said that she belonged in her own world, and that same day she left. Was your father a good man?” Woodphere asked.
    “Yes, he was, until he left for work in California and never returned. Till this day I don't know he’s dead or alive,” Constance replied.
    “How terrible,” Woodphere sighed.
    For the rest of the way, they walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they entered a lovely meadow with a scattering of trees.
    “There, look up ahead, I see the well!” Drinian pointed as they gazed upon a hill.
    “Finally!” Constance gasped with joy.
    They traipsed up the steep hill wearily, with legs straining and quivering as they ascended.
    “Look there's the Kallies village,” Drinian said, pointing to the valley below.
    “What a quaint little settlement, it's very cute!” Constance exclaimed.
    “Water, finally,” Woodphere's uttered, as he walked toward the well.
    They refreshed themselves with cold water, cleaned up there torn muddy clothes, and started pouring water over the horse’s backs.
    “Here you are girl, you've been through a lot today,” Constantine said, as she gave Dutch an apple that she had picked from a nearby tree.
    Drinian stood by the well and watched as Constance cared for her horse. What was so different about this girl? Was it her stubbornness and determination, or was it her gentleness while she attended to his injured arm ?
    When Constance looked up to see Drinian watching her; he quickly put his head down.
    “Well you two, it's time that we must be on our way,” Woodphere said after they had all refreshed themselves.
    “Indeed Woodphere, let us be on our way,” Drinian repeated.
    And with that they made their way down the hill toward the Kallies village.

The Kallies
    Soon they arrived at the poor village. Little boys ran around pushing rocks with sticks as toys, and little girls sat by a dried up old well playing with corn husk dolls.
    “This is such a humble place,” Constance murmured, as she looked around.
    “Indeed, but they are very proud of what little they may have,” Drinian replied.
    Suddenly a little girl who had been sitting by the well noticed the group arriving and came running up to them. She had long black curly hair, dark brown eyes, and her dress was a faded red. She held a scraggly flower in her left hand that was missing several petals. She walked up to Constance and handed her the pitiful looking thing.
    “Why thank you,” Constance expressed, receiving the gift.
    The little girl gave Constance a toothless grin, for she was missing her three front teeth.
    “Hello, Rosella,” Drinian said as he picked her up into his arms.
    Rosella gave a quiet giggle.
    “How are you? And how is your brother Razelle?”
    “I'm well, but Razelle is not feeling happy today.” she replied.
    “Do you think you could take me to