"Greil, I cannot go any further... the baby... please, just let me sleep..." Elena sighed weakly, slumping onto her husband's back. Greil turned and kissed her on the forehead.
"Hush, my sweet. We will find respite. Hold on a little while longer." Cavalier nickered. He, too, was tired and famished. Greil gazed into the never-ending horizon of Begnion. Flat plains of grass marked the end of Serenes Forest, the barren wasteland of the once beautiful race of Herons. After the massacre it was left to rot and decay in the evil that had burned it, along with the sacred laguz who inhabited it.
Elena sighed again, and Greil felt tiny droplets of water penetrate his outer garments. The journey had been harsh; it had been brutal. He knew that Lillia could not have survived such a road even if she was in the best of health. But he still felt horrid for leaving her, as did his wife. Elena was always muttering "if" and "perhaps;" Greil had to remind her that there was nothing they could do. If they were to escape with the medallion and the galdr in tact, they had to leave in the dead of night, while all the guards were sleeping, and still leave a shadow of a creature in the dank, bleak room that the Heron was forced, for so long, to call home. Now, Greil knew, as they traversed the boundary of the sacred forest of Serenes, Lillia had truly been left behind.
Cavalier walked slowly upon the grassy plain. But suddenly, Greil picked up his head; he saw a new covering of trees in front of them, and new soil pushed against Cavalier's hooves. The knight suddenly knew that they were in different territory. The soil was moist, and seemed to be consumed by humidity, and the air was thick and suffocating. Elena gasped and gagged on the hot oxygen, barely able to breathe. Greil immediately stopped the horse and jumped down to help his wife, but before he could lend a hand to her aid, a low growl caught his ear. The knight slowly looked to his left to see four laguz, all transformed into their true forms, standing only six feet from his position. Two tigers and two cats snarled and bared their teeth as their eyes bored into Greil's. Elena stopped coughing as she, too, noticed their presence.
"What are you humans doing on Gallian lands?" One of the black tigers said, taking a step towards Cavalier. The horse grunted uneasily, and tried to take a step back. But Greil restrained him, tightening his grip on the steed's reins and pulling gently to steady the flighty animal.
"Please," the knight began, holding out his free hand. "We only have need for food and shelter... we have been traveling for months without rest. Please, can you lend us your aid?"
"They're Daeins," A sand-colored cat sneered as she examined the knight's clothing. "They've got some nerve trampling on our border!" Greil felt his legs go numb. No matter how hard he fought, he would never be able to better four Gallian beasts.
"What do you think you're doing in a sub-human country, beorc?" The other cat snickered.
"No, please, you've misunderstood! We're not like them!" Greil pleaded desperately.
"Oh you're not, are you?" The first tiger who spoke smiled evilly, and licked his deathly sharp teeth.
"No! Please, we, we escaped from Daein with our lives! My wife, please; she is with child. She cannot hold on much longer!"
"You come from a country that holds laguz hunts for sport and you expect us to save your filthy hides?!" The black tiger growled angrily. The beast advanced a few more steps.
"Merciful laguz, I beg of your kindness! I have been changed! Please, you must understand... my wife... my beautiful wife... will die. She is so weak; we have traveled so far. Please. I... I will do anything to ensure her safety."
"...Anything?" The tiger snickered. He looked to his companions, who were advancing on the trio as well. They stopped and exchanged a volley of growls and grunts, speaking to each other in their own language. Grail looked up as a rush of hot air coursed over his body. A human stood before him, marked with streaks of red to distinguish his being.
"Come, we will take you to our king. He will decide your fate." Greil didn't have time to say thank you as the tiger changed back into his animal form and bounded into the forest. One of the cats transformed and remained behind to keep an eye on the travelers. Greil slowly took up Cavalier's reins and limped onward to follow the demihuman.
Elena clung to her medallion and sighed. The bronze, priceless artifact glowed softly with a blue light, penetrating the cloth Elena was holding it in. She brought it to her heart and looked to the path ahead with a weak smile. She knew that all would be well.
Endnote: All right, all right, I know that Gallia and Begnion are connected by an impassable mountain range. Oh well. You'll just have to use suspension of disbelief! hahaha