this city, you will also find what you need to survive. The Druelcame after us as a people and not our lands. I am sure you will have clothing shelter and food.”
“Three days following the sun.”
“Yes, you can do this. Morrdrook chose to fight for you. He saw the strength you have inside. I know you want to do this for him and your bud growing within your body.”
I rubbed my hand over my stomach. It wasn’t just me to think of. I had to take care of myself in order to care for our child.
I didn’t want to leave Morrdrook, but what choice did I have? I promised Morrdrook no matter what I would live.
Think Anna. Think, what is best for all three of you . I rubbed my belly again.
“Are you sure this city will have food, shelter, blankets?” I met the older Zakiu’s gaze.
“Yes, the sooner you leave the sooner you will find the city. Remember as long as you follow the line of the morning sun, it will not lead you astray.”
Well that was easy for him to say. “And Morrdrook? You know he’s not going to like this.”
“You have to do this, Anna. Morrdrook wouldn’t want you to suffer out here alone. He might not like it, but he’ll know it’s the best decision for you and the baby.” Abby put in. “I don’t want to lose you either. You’re my best friend. But we have to put our personal feelings aside and do what we have to do to survive. You know this. All of us do.”
She was right; I’d always done what was necessary to survive so far. I had to trust my instincts.
If there was a way for me to return, to break them free from the Druel, maybe this lost city held the answers. I had to leave. I had to find a way.
My lower lip trembled and my eyes stung as they filled with salty tears. I swiped at them as they slid down my cheeks.
“Tell Morrdrook I love him, and will do my best to keep us both alive. Nular and Killiu, please look after him and make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish. I know he’s going to try to get through the barrier somehow. I…I…just…keep him safe okay.”
I willed myself to take a step back.
“I will swear to you, Morrdrook’s Aunna.” Nular stood tall and proud, his right hand going across his chest in a salute.
Leave now before you break down completely . I swallowed, turned and walked away. I sniffed, swiping at the stubborn tears, not knowing if I’d ever see Morrdrook again.
* * * *
Over the mountains and follow the sun , the words echoed in my head over and over as the day wore on. My feet grew sore and my body weary to the bone. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, I stopped to drink as much water as I could from a stream, before pressing on.
Lucky fed on blue grass tufts, while I rested under a shady tree. The higher I climbed the mountains, the less vegetation there was.
“We can do this, can’t we Lucky?” I was more than grateful to have my little Wuzzle on this journey to a place that may or may not exist.
“C’mon then, we’d better find a place to sleep for the night.”
* * * *
By the third day, I was so weak and so damn hungry. The sharp rocks were brutal on my feet, small cuts left the soles bruised and tender. I had made shoes by using moss, leaves and torn strips off my skirt, bound tightly. Thankfully, water was plentiful; I regularly came across small streams and little ponds. But I could only drink so much, I needed food. I groaned in relief when at last I saw the vast open fields before me. It meant I could dig up some parppa root and maybe find some inkleberry bushes.
“You’re damn lucky I haven’t eaten you yet, Lucky.” I licked my dry cracked lips.
Lucky chirped and scrambled ahead of me, as he’d done many times these past few days. I got the strange feeling the Wuzzle knew where we were going, and was keeping me on the right path.
“Lucky, think you can help me find some roots and berries?”
Lucky chirped again and scuttled down the hill, his fur now a pale purple matching the surrounding rocks, we passed. I was
“Three days following the sun.”
“Yes, you can do this. Morrdrook chose to fight for you. He saw the strength you have inside. I know you want to do this for him and your bud growing within your body.”
I rubbed my hand over my stomach. It wasn’t just me to think of. I had to take care of myself in order to care for our child.
I didn’t want to leave Morrdrook, but what choice did I have? I promised Morrdrook no matter what I would live.
Think Anna. Think, what is best for all three of you . I rubbed my belly again.
“Are you sure this city will have food, shelter, blankets?” I met the older Zakiu’s gaze.
“Yes, the sooner you leave the sooner you will find the city. Remember as long as you follow the line of the morning sun, it will not lead you astray.”
Well that was easy for him to say. “And Morrdrook? You know he’s not going to like this.”
“You have to do this, Anna. Morrdrook wouldn’t want you to suffer out here alone. He might not like it, but he’ll know it’s the best decision for you and the baby.” Abby put in. “I don’t want to lose you either. You’re my best friend. But we have to put our personal feelings aside and do what we have to do to survive. You know this. All of us do.”
She was right; I’d always done what was necessary to survive so far. I had to trust my instincts.
If there was a way for me to return, to break them free from the Druel, maybe this lost city held the answers. I had to leave. I had to find a way.
My lower lip trembled and my eyes stung as they filled with salty tears. I swiped at them as they slid down my cheeks.
“Tell Morrdrook I love him, and will do my best to keep us both alive. Nular and Killiu, please look after him and make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish. I know he’s going to try to get through the barrier somehow. I…I…just…keep him safe okay.”
I willed myself to take a step back.
“I will swear to you, Morrdrook’s Aunna.” Nular stood tall and proud, his right hand going across his chest in a salute.
Leave now before you break down completely . I swallowed, turned and walked away. I sniffed, swiping at the stubborn tears, not knowing if I’d ever see Morrdrook again.
* * * *
Over the mountains and follow the sun , the words echoed in my head over and over as the day wore on. My feet grew sore and my body weary to the bone. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, I stopped to drink as much water as I could from a stream, before pressing on.
Lucky fed on blue grass tufts, while I rested under a shady tree. The higher I climbed the mountains, the less vegetation there was.
“We can do this, can’t we Lucky?” I was more than grateful to have my little Wuzzle on this journey to a place that may or may not exist.
“C’mon then, we’d better find a place to sleep for the night.”
* * * *
By the third day, I was so weak and so damn hungry. The sharp rocks were brutal on my feet, small cuts left the soles bruised and tender. I had made shoes by using moss, leaves and torn strips off my skirt, bound tightly. Thankfully, water was plentiful; I regularly came across small streams and little ponds. But I could only drink so much, I needed food. I groaned in relief when at last I saw the vast open fields before me. It meant I could dig up some parppa root and maybe find some inkleberry bushes.
“You’re damn lucky I haven’t eaten you yet, Lucky.” I licked my dry cracked lips.
Lucky chirped and scrambled ahead of me, as he’d done many times these past few days. I got the strange feeling the Wuzzle knew where we were going, and was keeping me on the right path.
“Lucky, think you can help me find some roots and berries?”
Lucky chirped again and scuttled down the hill, his fur now a pale purple matching the surrounding rocks, we passed. I was
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