Chapter 4
The next morning, everyone woke up bright and early. The horses were saddled and ready to go. Alanna was of course riding her pony Chubby, who started fidgeting until Alanna put a soothing hand on his back and he realized that it was Alanna that was on him and not Thom, before he calmed down. He always fidgeted whenever Thom was on him. Thom mounted his own pony awkwardly. His pony was calmer than Alanna's. He needed a calm horse or he would have been dumped immediately.
Aly watched from on her own pony. She had made a show of getting on her pony clumsily.
Once they got to the fork on the road, Alanna, Aly, and Thom rode to one side while Maude and Coram waited. They had told Maude of their plans but not Coram. He would have gone straight to Lord Alan and ruin their plans if he knew. They did not want that to happen. Alanna and Thom also wanted a private moment with each other before they separated to their own ways.
Thom and Alanna hugged each other fiercely. It would be years before they saw each other again.
Everyone said their last fair wells and turned to their own ways. Alanna and Coram were headed for Corus and Thom, Maude and Aly were headed for the convent. Alanna and Thom still decided to switch places.
Last night, Thom was still having some second thoughts but Alanna and Aly had quickly squashed it. Thom still sometimes looked a bit uncertain now, but it was too late to turn back now, so he thought about being a mage whenever he started feeling uncertain again.
Aly and Thom turned back to look at Alanna and saw that she was doing the same. They waved their final good byes for the final time and turned back and continued on their ways.
Thom was very quiet on the way. He did not want to talk when Aly tried to start a conversation. Aly decided to leave him alone. She sat silently planning and thinking about her mother.
This younger version of mother is so different. She seems so much happier and enthusiastic and more lively. Now about her temper, I don't know. I'm surprised she hasn't snapped at me yet.
Aly scanned the roads for any sign of trouble the whole journey but nothing happened. She was a bit disappointed because shedid hope forsome excitement. The journey was quiet and peaceful the whole way.
It was towards evening when they arrived a few days later.
Aly grinned. This place was enough to keep her busy for the next few years. That is, if she doesn't become bored too soon and decides to leave earlier. That would be no problem. First, she's got to stick to the plan.
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