The Twins - NaNoWriMo '07

A/N: Stefan decided to not share too many of his thoughts during this chapter.. and Ana surprisingly did a little of the same towards the end. Took me a little while to write this. Feedback is hoped for!

Chapter 5: Journey

When Shanah had gone, Elena went back to the closet.

“Okay, you can come out now,” she said. Ana and Stefan followed her into the main room. She removed the glamour that covered Cael, and the three of the contemplated the corpse for a moment. Then, without warning, it began to change. It was as though he himself constantly wore a glamour, which only began to wear off now. His pasty skin in death turned deathly pale, and his open eyes darkened. His ears grew points and stuck out to the side, while his hair became closely cropped, leaving only a black stubble. He lost three feet in stature, and his spine curved, pushing him over to his side. A long tail curled around his legs: it was forked at the end.

“He’s one of Them then…” Elena murmured, disgusted, “To think that I trusted him.” She felt the urge to spit, but retained herself: she was, after all, in her room.

“Who are They, exactly?” Ana asked.

“They are the ones who have renounced the Goddess Selene and worship her dark sister, Lilith, the Goddess of the Dark Moon. While They have been able to force their influence onto most Lands, the Land of the Goddess has remained pure of them because of our closeness to Selene. I imagine that Cael and Allyón wanted to force you into destroying my Land and therefore fulfilling their Overlords wishes.” Elena glanced at the corpse, “I hate to say it, but we’ve probably done him a favor by killing him: with Them, his punishment at failure would have been long and painful.”

Ana shivered, “They don’t seem like a friendly bunch at all… Why be so bitter?”

“They are the origin of the Sins, notably Avarice, Envy, and Gluttony,” Elena said, “Anyway, we must be on our way. I will bring us to my summer retreat, and we can work quietly there. A month here is not as long as a month in the Land of the Godless, and we have less than that for you to come into knowing everything following your hearts to complete the prophecy.”

“Right! You said there was a way to cheat, so to speak, in magic. Are we going to begin that now?” asked Stefan.

“Yes. And we are going to begin with my elderly grandmother.”


Elena once again performed her magic and re-activated the circle of transportation – as Ana was now calling it – in her room. They stepped through it and appeared a short while later in a beautiful herb and flower garden.

“Follow me and stay on the path. Plants here have been known to be hostile to newcomers,” she said with a smile. Having no desire to be caught or eaten by a plant, the twins stayed in the middle of the stone path and stuck behind Elena. They reached the back porch and climbed it. Beside the door was a pair of shoes.

“Kindly take you shoes off before entering, Grandmamma would rather that no dirt harm her tatami floors,” Elena said as she unlaced her leather shoes. Ana and Stefan kicked off their sneakers with easy familiarity.

Elena pushed the sliding door to the side and went in, “Grandmamma?” she called, “It’s Elena! I’ve got two friends with me! Can you authorize them entry?” An indistinct reply floated back at them, followed by a crash.

“Grandmamma are you okay?”

“Yes yes, I’m fine!” An average-height woman with many wrinkles crisscrossing her face came into view. Her hair was violently orange, and her skin pale. She stood straight and was wiping her hands on an apron.

“To what do I owe this wonderful visit, Elena?” she asked, peering at her granddaughter, before noticing Ana and Stefan. She frowned, “And who are these visitors?”

“Grandmamma, this is Ana Maria and Stefan Perwinkle. I believe them to be the Twins of the—”

“Hush foolish girl!” the old woman put her hand over Elena’s mouth, “Do not speak of that until we are safely inside.

“ ‘An ‘ou let ‘em in pwease?” said Elena, her mouth still covered.

“Yes, of course,” The old woman mumbled, and waved her hand: green sparks flew and circled both the doorway and the twins. They felt peculiar, as though dog snouts were sniffing them all over. Then it was gone, and the old woman was ushering them in. She slid the door shut, and led them all into the living room. It was broad, with silkscreen walls and discreet sliding doors. The floor was done in hand-woven tatami and was warm to their feet. Green plants stood in potted vases or dangled from the ceiling in a lush of greenness.

“Call me Grandmamma, everyone else does,” she said over her shoulder.

“Okay, erm…” started Stefan.

“Thank you for having us here,” finished Ana.

“Oh it’s no problem at all,” she called from the kitchen, “Elena has a habit of dropping by at the strangest times. Supper will be ready in no time. After a full belly, you can explain to me exactly who you are and why you are here.”

“Oh!” gasped Elena, “I should probably go tell her now, you should have nothing in your stomach for what we’re going to do.” And she went off in the direction of the kitchen.

Ana and Stefan looked at each other.

“I’m not sure I like the sound of this,” she began.

“Me neither… but hey, what’cha gonna do? I just want to go home.”

“I know, me too,” she sighed, and leaned in for a hug. ‘If we both come out of this alive, we’ll definitely be closer than we’ve ever been,’ she thought. She could feel their auras rubbing each other affectionately.

Another plate crashed in the kitchen and brought them back to reality.

“Elena! Are you absolutely certain?”

“Yes. I awakened their powers myself… brilliant blue and golden orange… Absolutely pure. Did you not feel their power radiating when we arrived?”

“Yes… I… My Goddess…”

“Grandmamma…”

“I know what I must do. I am the best in my field of Earth, I must instruct them, I must transmit my knowledge. And it is not necessary for them to have an empty stomach; the poor things look so scrawny!”

“Grandmamma, I know it is asking a lot of you… but time is short… there is less than a month to the eclipse.”

“Yes. There is no other way but that of complete transmission. I shall do it; it shall be an honor to transmit my knowledge. I may appear vivacious, but inside, I know I shall not be of this world much longer…”

“Grandmamma, do not say such things!”

“It is but the truth. Don’t cry Elena, all things must live and die… I shall join the Goddess, have no fear.”

“But I will miss you terribly! Oh Grandmamma… Surely you won’t lose you powers after transmitting your knowledge?”

“No, no! Have no fear, it shall take the night though, for it to be completed. I shall take care of the two together.”

“Thank you, thank you…”

“Now now, dry your eyes, and bring this tablecloth and culinary utensils out to the low table. I’ll follow in a moment.”

Elena emerged from the kitchen carrying the tablecloth, her eyes slightly red-rimmed. Ana stood and took the tablecloth from her, and set it on the table. Stefan went to the kitchen and came back with cork rounds on which to put the hot dishes on. The two young women set the table, and he came back carrying the hot dish of rice. Grandmamma followed with another hot dish of vegetables and a sweet sauce.

They all sat around the table, joined hands, and closed their eyes. Ana and Stefan followed suit easily.

“I thank you Mother Earth and my Lady Selene for this meal,” said Grandmamma, “Kebah vúlni.” Bless you. They let go of each others’ hands and settled down to eat.

The meal was short but delicious, and the first that Ana and Stefan had the opportunity to eat entirely without being interrupted. They laughed and shared jokes. When supper was over, Ana and Stefan felt comfortably full, and drowsy. Elena magicked the dishes and pots into the kitchen, and set them to start washing themselves up. With the gentle clinking sounds of china in the background, the four sat down again. All traces of light heartedness were gone, and the twins knew that the time had come for them to acquire knowledge.

“The way this works is very simple. However, I am going to transmit my knowledge to the two of you at the same time, because I do not know if I have the strength to do it twice in one night,” Grandmamma began, “Please sit in front of me.” Everyone but Grandmamma shifted. Elena went to sit a little further, to observe the proceedings, while Ana, Stefan, and Grandmamma sat at the points of a triangle.

“Ana, put your left hand palm down on my right one. Stefan, put your right hand palm down on my left one. Between the two of you, simply hold hands. Do not ever let go, although I think you will find that difficult once we have begun,” the old woman said, “Now the two of you, look into my eyes. Observe them, and absorb what I give you.”

They stared into Grandmamma’s eyes: it was then that they noticed that they constantly wavered between dark brown and bright green, intermixed with the golden colors of fall. They stared into her eyes and were engulfed. They couldn’t move if they had wanted to, but by then, their minds had seemed to freeze. Elena watched it all in fascination: the colors of her grandmother’s magic, the bright green of growth, and the darker green of death, was enveloping her hands and being absorbed by that of the twins. Where Ana and Stefan held hands, the three colors of their magic intermixed without blending: they seemed to run over each other like water. Then, vines began to creep from Grandmamma’s wrists. They slithered over their grasped hands and tightened themselves around the twins’ wrists, before a single tendril from either of them continued up their arm, over their shoulder, across their back and down their other shoulder to where they grasped hands. The two tendrils wound themselves around the wrists and hands, encasing them completely. Then, the three cocoons of vines sprouted leaves and flowers, obscuring the hands entirely. Never once did any of the three blink. It was as though they were frozen in time.

The air shimmered as green sparks flew through the vines and disappeared on the twins’ side. In this silent giving of knowledge, Grandmamma’s face lined with a few more wrinkles, and slightly paler skin. Her hair thinned a bit, whereas her eyes lost a little of their usual spark. Ana and Stefan, on the other hand, did not age, nor find youth: only their eyes flared green once in a while.

Elena got tired, but not tired of watching them. She pulled a sleeping pallet over and settled herself comfortably, so she could continue watching the exchange. The light outside had dimmed to complete darkness, and the only source of light was that of the trio’s magic. Green was the dominant color, but the twins’ auras regularly flared as another major piece of Earthen knowledge was entirely absorbed. Watching the lights change smoothly, Elena was lulled into sleep.


She woke up with dawn, finding that the magical lights were gone. Instead, Ana and Stefan slept soundly side by side, while Grandmamma was nowhere to be seen.

“Grandmamma?” she called softly, not wanting to wake up the twins.

>I am weakened, but so proud of you and what I have been able to do< she said in Elena’s mind, >I have melded with Nature to replenish some of my strength. Bear South to Elwam’s domain. I am sure that he, like me, will understand and gratefully impart his fiery knowledge.<

>Thank you for your wisdom, Grandmamma. Rest well< Elena replied, although it tired her to speak mind to mind.

She walked over where the twins lay, and gently shook them awake.

“Ana? Stefan? Wake up, we need to move on!” she urged them. Ana rolled over and mumbled. Stefan opened his eyes a crack and grunted.

“Aw why so early Elena?”

“We need to go South, and the journey is long. I cannot keep magically bringing us to places. Wake up!” she shook them a little harder.

“Mmmmnnhn,” said Ana and she sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Stefan rolled over and pushed himself up, stretching. Elena stood and went to the kitchen, packing in a large leather satchel she found behind the door some dried and fresh fruit, smoked meats, and bread. She grabbed three water skins hung with leather straps and went out to the gurgling stream beside the house to fill them. Bringing them back in, she set them next to the food bag. She went to her grandmother’s closet and pulled out three blankets, three towels, and three changes of clothes.

Checking on the twins, she told them, “You can refresh yourselves in the stream out back. Here’s a towel for each of you, and here is a change of clothes. Not what you’re used to, sorry, but it’ll do. I modified them so they would accommodate your individual sizes.”

Ana and Stefan nodded sleepily, took what she was handing to them, and went out the kitchen door to the stream. Elena continued her business. She took handy utensils such as a knife, flint and stone, a map, and a compass. She put them in another smaller bag. Taking her own towel and change of clothes, she went out to the stream, and saw the twins washing up as best they could without entirely undressing. Elena took off her over-dress of wool, and stepped into the cold stream in her petticoat. Turning her back to them, she took off her corset, and threw it on the bank. Hurrying, she vigorously rubbed herself with the semi-smooth pebbles that littered the bottom of the clear stream. When her skin was pink and a little squeaky, she got out of the water and dried herself. She glanced at the twins.

Ana and Stefan were freezing. They stood in the water and had dunked themselves entirely, only to find that the air was even colder after that.

“I-I-I th-think w-we’d-d-d bett-tt-tt-er-r get-t out-t now-w,” she said, her teeth chattering. Stefan only nodded, though she could see he was shivering all over, like her. They clambered out of the stream and rubbed themselves vigorously with the towel. Ana finally felt a little blood start to move in her veins again, and she picked up the clothes Elena had given here. There was a pair of long cotton pants, and a long tunic, both of a golden-brown. A leather belt to circle her waist and a pair of soft leather shoes. A hairbrush fell out of the pile and she picked it up gratefully: her hair would still take forever to untangle though.

Stefan looked through his pile, and saw that he had the same clothes but cut to a more manly figure. Stripping his t-shirt, he pulled on the soft cotton clothes, and looked at Ana. They looked alike once more, besides the eyes. She was struggling to get the tangles out of her hair and, wordlessly, Stefan went and took the brush from her. Standing behind her, he set at untangling the knots. Patiently, he pulled through them until her hair was long and shining. He then braided it into a single thick braid and secured it with the hair-tie she handed him. Then, Ana took the brush and went through the tangles of her brothers’ hair. Since it wasn’t as long, She simply gave him a ponytail, and tied it with the hair-tie he gave her. Picking up their discarded towels and old clothes, they held hands as they made their way, back to the house.

“Well it’s about time you two!” Elena stood at the door holding two water skins and the leather bag of food, “We’re going to see Elwam in the south. He will give you the knowledge of Fire. I believe he lives near Sulis who can impart with you her knowledge of water. Then, we shall only have Thoth to find.”

“So how are we getting to Elwam?” asked Stefan.

“Horseback of course! It is about a day’s ride from here. I had hoped to make it before nightfall, but it looks like we’ll be arriving tomorrow by midmorning instead,” Elena replied, taking their used clothes and hanging them up on the laundry line neither the twins had noticed earlier, “The stables are around the corner, go and call your mount.”

Ana was confused, “Call our mounts? What does she mean?” she asked Stefan. He shrugged.

“I don’t know. I suspect she’s referring to using the knowledge we received last night,” he raised his eyebrows and let a quick smile adorn his lips. Ana punched his arm, grinning.

“Smart aleck,” she said as they reached the stables. They entered, and found it deserted. Stefan was about to turn back out when Ana caught his arm.

“Wait… do you feel that?”

“Feel what?”

“Shh…” she cocked her head, “…that!” she whispered. Then he felt it. It was as though he was aware of each goosebump arising on his arms and on his whole body. Out of the darkness came two beautiful horses. One was midnight black, and the other a deep chestnut, and they both gleamed despite the dim light. Their intelligent eyes were gold and green flecked. One neighed softly.

>Did you call upon us, Ana and Stefan? < said the one on the left, who was slightly taller and had a tenor voice, into the twins’ minds. Their mouths opened in shock,

“Did you just –”

“Did he just –” they said at the same time, looking at each other.

>Please, do not be alarmed!<<.i> said the slightly smaller one, in a clearer alto, >We mean no harm! You did, after all, call us…<

“I… we did?” Ana said out loud.

>Yes Ana. I am named Úilna, and this is my companion, Mol Ehni< said Úilna, >We are honored to serve the Twins< and she bent her knee in a bow. Mol Ehni imitated her. Then Úilna came and nuzzled Ana,

>I am excited to begin my journey with you!<

Stefan tugged at her arm and whispered, “What’s all this about?”

“Talk to Mol Ehni; he’s come for you,” she replied, pointing the horse out, and she led Úilna out of the stables.

“What about saddles and whatnot?” Ana asked.

>You won’t be needing them, I am perfectly suited to accommodate you< Úilna answered.

“I… wow, this is so incredible!” Ana exclaimed. She glanced back and saw that Stefan was following her, Mol Ehni walking silently next to him.


They met Elena back at the house, and Ana took her water skin and slung it across her chest. Stefan took the food bag and his water bottle, and slung them criss-crossed over his chest.

“And away we go!” Elena cried, mounted on a grey mare with a snow white mane and tail. Úilna and Mol Ehni lowered themselves and Ana and Stefan mounted as though they had been riding bareback their entire lives. Elena took up the lead, and led them out into the sun, on to the next part of their adventure.

They rode steadily until past midday. Finally stopping by a brook, the horses drank their full while the three companions ate some fresh fruit and drank water. Before leaving again, they filled their water skins to the top. They set off again, riding relatively hard, as Elena wanted to be as close to Elwam’s domain as possible by nightfall. She had long given up the possibility of seeing him before then, and was resigned to camping one night. Luckily, she had grabbed extra covers before leaving. ‘Hopefully we’ll come across a Tî’rí, a sacred grove, where no harm could come to them.

The light dimmed and their shadows lengthened to the East. Stars began to dot the sky, until only they and the light of the crescent moon lit their way.

“There is a forest up ahead, perhaps a half-hour’s ride from here. If I remember correctly, there is a Tî’rí, a sacred grove there, where we’ll be able to rest without any fear,” called Elena from her position in front. Úilna and Mol Ehni whinnied happily.


Pitch darkness had fallen by the time they reached the trees, and it was even darker under the canopy. The horses stuck together closely, slightly nervous. The forest was deathly silent, save for the horses’ muffled clip-clop of hooves on the soil littered with fallen leaves.

“I don’t think it’s too far now…” Elena muttered, and they pressed forward.

“Aha!” she said triumphantly, “Here it is.” She urged her mare forwards and the trio came into a small clearing. It glowed softly, as though the ring of trees forming its boundaries were lit from the inside. The moon shined from overhead, spilling silver light.

“I think this will do nicely, no?” Elena said. Ana and Stefan nodded.

“It’s great,” Ana said, “Shall we make a fire to warm ourselves up a little?”

“First, you must ask permission to the trees if you may use their fallen branches to do so. You have come into your magic now, you must respect its Elements,” Elena explained.

“How do I ask the trees?”

“Just… ask them. Pick one, or speak to all of them at once, be polite, and do not get annoyed if they don’t answer immediately. There are no remnants of ashes or anything, only the stones used to contain the fire – no one has obviously been here in a long time.”

“Hmm, okay…” said Ana, and she went to the center of the clearing.

“Um… Greetings trees, Guardians of this Tî’rí. Our thanks for allowing us to sleep within your protection tonight. With your permission, we would build a small fire, to warm ourselves up after our tiresome journey,” said Ana, feeling a little foolish. The horses found some good grass and began grazing in one area, while Stefan and Elena unrolled the blankets that were to serve as makeshift beds. Ana waited. Then,

>Who are you so young, to request our permission?< the voice of the trees were light and deep at the same time, like the falling of leaves in autumn and the burst of growth in the spring.

“I am Ana Maria Perwinkle. I am here with my twin brother Stefan, and our mentor Elena…”

>Ah so the Twins are journeying… It is an honor to welcome you here, in our Grove. Please, use our fallen limbs to warm yourself, and prepare yourself for your tasks ahead<

“Many thanks, o Guardians,” Ana bowed, feeling it appropriate though she did not know if the trees had anyway of seeing her. She felt their life force pulsing softly around her.

“We have permission,” she announced to Stefan and Elena.

“Oh wonderful,” said Elena, “Stefan, could you collect some good dry branches, and enough to keep the fire going most of the night?”

“Yeah,” he said, and started walking around the clearing. Ana frowned, sensing that her brother was feeling….left out, perhaps. Uncomfortable for sure. With the desire to test her abilities, she reached out with her mind, concentrating on her brother. Encountering his distinctive brilliant blue aura and mind, she tentatively knocked so to speak.

Stefan was startled as he felt his sister ‘knocking’ at his mind’s door with concern. With an odd sense of familiarity though he had never had any encounter with telekinesis except when Elena ‘read’ his mind so long ago, he answered his sister.

>Yes Ana?<

>What’s up? You seem so… down<

>Oh? I hadn’t noticed… I guess I’ve been absorbed in my thoughts. No pun intended hehe< his laugh sounded strange… kind of echo-y in Ana’s mind.

>Well… if you want to talk about anything, you can always talk to me< she said, smiling at him. He met her eyes, and smiled back. They then both turned back to their tasks.


After warming their bodies by the fire that Elena conjured the old-fashioned way with a flint and stone, they ate a light dinner of some smoked meat and fruit. They drank some of their precious water, and then, as they were relaxing in silence, Ana spoke up.

“Should we take watches?”

“No, the Guardians have given us their protection. No harm can come to us while we are within the boundaries of the Tî’rí.” Elena answered.

“Oh… Darn it, it’s not really like it is in the books and movies then… hehe,” said Stefan.

“Look at it this way, at least we all get a good night’s sleep,” Ana said, chuckling.

“Well, I’m pretty tired, so good night. Sweet dreams!” said Elena, and she lay down on her blanket, pulling the second one over her, and turned her back to the fire.

“Yeah, I’m pretty tired too,” said Stefan.

“Same,” said Ana.

“So… good night?”

“Good night favorite brother,” Ana smiled.

“Good night little sister,” Stefan said, his eyes twinkling.

“Hey! Only by seven minute!”

“Yep, so you’re seven minutes littler than me.” he grinned, “Sweet dreams.”

“You too,” and they both snuggled under their blankets.


Dawn was dawning when Stefan woke up. The sky was pearly grey, with streaks of pink just beginning to be seen across the sky. The fire’s embers were still glowing, and Stefan put a couple dry twigs to bring it up again, so the girls wouldn’t be so cold when they woke up.

Standing, he went over to where Mol Ehni was. He was puzzled by the horse… after all, neither he nor Ana had done anything in the stables; the two horses had just appeared. ‘Yet,’ thought Stefan as he gently stroked Mol Ehni’s neck and flank, ‘We are suited perfectly. Nature works in strange ways…’

>Indeed it does Stefan, but you must learn and absorb as much as possible<

>But how can I do that when everything I was taught led back to scientific reasoning? I cannot so easily let go of seventeen years of learning…<

>That is true< the horse paused >You have a good mentor. Her grandmother was truly the best. I have absolute faith in Elena – she will bring you to the best of those who have devoted their life to one Element<

Stefan was startled that the horse knew everything that was going on.

>What did you think, that Sha’Djenda and Grandmamma did not inform Úilna and I about you and your adventures so far?< the horse whinnied laughingly >You humans are funny. You are attracted to Elena, no?<

Stefan was doubly startled >I… what… but that’s absurd…yes.<

>Ah my young friend… Do not waste your heart on her. She already has her family, remember?<

>Yes< Stefan mumbled, humbled >There’s nothing I can do about my feelings though… I’ll not tell her, it would just make things very awkward.<

Pensive, Stefan just kept stroking Mol Ehni. He glanced up at the sky, and saw that the sky was now a beautiful bright blue.

>Just like your aura, if you don’t mind my saying<

>Really? No… I don’t mind…< Stefan looked over at the camp, and saw that Elena had woken, and now appeared to be meditating. Ana was still asleep.

>I’ll be back< he told Mol Ehni, and he went over to the fire.

“Good morning Elena,” he said, trying to keep his blush under control, “Slept well?”

“Oh, more or less. A bed of soil is not my favorite, but it’s alright. And yourself?”

“I slept better than I thought I would, actually,” Stefan replied, “Should I wake Ana up?”

“Yes, I think we should press on to Elwam’s.”

Stefan went around the small fire to wake his sister. She was lying on her side, sleeping peacefully. He knelt down next to her.

“Ana? It’s time to wake up…” he said, shaking her shoulder a little.

“Mm really?” she mumbled.

“Yeah,” he chuckled, “Come on, or I’ll get Úilna to wake you up.”

“Hmmmokay, I’m getting up,” she said, rolling her shoulders before rolling onto her back and opening her eyes. She stretched her arms, yawning.

“Aw man… I slept like a baby lamb,” she said.

“Does that mean you slept well?” Stefan asked, confused.

She chortled, “Yes, it does mean that,” she smiled.

“Alright well, we’re having fruit for breakfast,” he said standing and walking over to his pile of blankets. He rolled them up and secured them with the ties and handed them to Elena. Her mare had a proper saddle and a special fastening on the back for the blankets to be secured.

“Thanks Stefan, do you want to help yourself to an apple or something? And get something for Ana too,”

“Yep, sure, I can do that,” he said, and was immediately aware that he’d been redundant. He turned his head quickly and began to busily get the fruit out. He walked back over to Ana and handed her an apple and a banana. She opened up the banana and threw the peel onto the fire.

Biting into it hungrily, she said, “Spill it brother.”

“Spill what?” Stefan said a little nervously, rolling his eyes, and looking around. Ana raised an eyebrow.

“You know,” she said, taking another chunk of banana, “Tell me.”

He sighed, “You’ve figured out that I like Elena?” he said, with a half smile and an annoyed/confused/sad look in his eyes.

“Oh honey,” she said, “…yeah. I figured something like that was up last night,” Ana glanced over at Elena, who was saddling her mare and getting the blankets on, “You do know you can’t hope for anything, right? I mean… she does have a family…”

“Yeah, I know… Mol Ehni reminded me of that too this morning…” Stefan sighed, “It’s so stupid too, isn’t it? I mean, I’m what, half her age? But she’s gorgeous…”

“She is pretty… Though I would stop staring if I were you.”

“You won’t tell her, will you?”

“Not unless you want me to.”

“Well… No I don’t want you to. It’d be too awkward.”

“My thoughts exactly… no pun intended!” she cried as they both burst into fits of giggles. Elena glanced over at them and smiled indulgently.

“Alright you guys, what’s so funny?” she called over.

“No-Nothing, Ana made a funny!” Stefan called back.

She laughed, “Well Ana, if you could be rolling up your blankets instead, that would be a great help!” She teased.

“Yeah yeah, let me wake up fully, will you?” Ana retorted, her mouth still stretched in a smile. When she finished her fruit, she and Stefan rolled up her blankets and brought them to Elena, who secured them on Sinev Kimsed, her mare. The sky was streaked with gold now, and the light touched the trees, turning it all fresh and shiny.

“Are we ready to go?” asked Elena, after dousing the fire and scattering the ashes.

“Yes… in a moment,” Ana answered. She went to the center of the clearing again and spoke clearly:

“Thank you, Guardians of this Tî’rí, for your protection this past night. May you live a long and healthy life,” she bowed.
>Thank you, Ana Maria Perwinkle and your companions, for being such mindful guests. We wish you the best of luck on your journey< The trees’ leaves rustled though there was no wind, and Ana bowed once more. Stefan and Elena followed suit.

“Okay, we can go now,” she said, climbing on Úilna.

They rode out of the clearing and found themselves immediately on the path. They went along easily, not pushing the horses too hard because they knew they weren’t far.

“I’ll ask Elwam to perform the ritual immediately, so we can then move on to Sulis. Hopefully, one of them will have knowledge of Thoth’s whereabouts. He’s a tricky one to catch, that Air Master.” Elena chortled. Ana and Stefan chuckled a little uneasily. They were acutely aware of the knowledge Grandmamma had given them: it swirled inside their brain and sometimes, they seemed to be transposed into another organism and view the world as they saw it. A bird gave them nauseating aerial views of the forest, a tree imparted them with the heaviness of its branches, a fly buzzed around their heads, smelling their sweet sweat. ‘Sweet? Did I just think that?’ Ana thought, a little disgusted. She shivered to get the feeling out of her.

Before long, the forest melted from around them and they entered a small village. The houses were basic and small, their roofs thatched with straw. Beyond them were fields of corn and wheat, and fenced-off pasture for the sheep, cows, and horses. They were early, but the village was still silent. An odd sense of foreboding hung over it, as though a disaster was about to strike. Elena led them quickly to a small non-descript hut of mud bricks and straw.