Dawn rose and Karigan awoke from a deep sleep. She listened for the sound of the woods and her favourite bird calls, feeling sad to leave such a place. She took a final bath, lovingly patting the self-heating Bath of Wonder and half-laughed at herself, glad there was no one around to see her goodbye bathroom fixtures. She was unsurprised to see a quality pair of travelling pants and shirt hanging on the hook today and admired the durability and comfort of the fabric. Inspecting the shirt sleeve closely, she was delighted to see little horses embroidered into the edge, surrounded by vines and flowers. A homage to her time in Eletia and her rider heritage perhaps?
Somara knocked and Karigan opened the door to let her in, smiling at her friend.
"I have brought you a favourite breakfast, I hope," she said, laying honeyed mint tea, fruit and oat cakes on the floor in their usual spot.
"You know it," Karigan teased back. She grew serious.
"Somara, I can't thank you enough for your friendship and for looking after me, which I'm sure is not something you expected to have to do. I have very much enjoyed our time together and I really wish I could stay here with you. I hope if you ever travel outside of Eletia you will seek me out; you will always be welcome wherever I am."
Somara patted her hand and smiled with rare, gentle affection. "It has been my honour to care for someone that has sacrificed so much for my people. And I have very much enjoyed our time together and learning the traits of humans. I will indeed look for you, if I journey onwards."
Karigan smiled and they ate together, Somara sharing one final story on the exploits of a sleeping Eletian carpenter, which had Karigan scoffing on her food most indecorously. Some emissary she made.
They tidied up together and Karigan slung her bag over her shoulder, glancing one more time around the beautiful apartment with no small amount of regret. They descended below and found Enver and Somial waiting for them. Karigan gripped her staff unconsciously but smiled at them both. She hadn't considered that Enver might journey back out of Eletia so soon after his arrival and the thought unnerved her. Hells, if she did, she was in real trouble. This was the whole reason she was leaving.
"Good morning," she said to them both. "I can't believe this is it. I wish I had something to give you but, compared to this place….". Her words trailed off as she struggled to find a way to express the enormity of this rarest of experiences, and she was embarrassed by how inadequate her humanity was compared to their offerings to her. They all smiled at her and Enver moved a step closer.
"Karigan," Somial said with a smile, moving forward to clasp her hand in his, "we have had this conversation many times. This is our thanks to you for the effort you underwent to save our people. We expect nothing from you but acceptance of our gift." His warm words soothed her soul and she unconsciously gripped his hand more tightly.
"I know Somial. But with what you have done for me, healed me, saved me, how can I not be grateful down to my bones? I cannot quite believe this is it. I will never see Eletia again."
She broke his grasp and turned around, slowly taking in the site of her magical home and not quite able to believe that this was it. She was heading home.
Somial gave her the time she needed and eventually Karigan turned back to face him with a sigh. "Let's go."
The silent party journeyed to the edge of the woods before they stopped in front of a path that would lead to the outside world. Condor was munching nearby as if he desperately wanted one more taste of delicious Eletian grass. Clearly by the look of his glossy coat and hide he had spent most of the last couple of months just eating. Her heart surged with joy to see him and it occurred to her for the first time that she hadn't really thought of him too much since she arrived. Strange, but this seemed like a thought in her mind that she couldn't quite hang onto.
She shrugged then turned around to embrace Somara and her eyes filled with tears. The Eletian held her for a long time as she quietly cried her goodbye. Karigan was surprised at how much this parting affected her but she had come to realise that Somara felt like her best friend or even a sister. She had a quiet, reserved, joyful energy that Karigan felt akin too as opposed to the more exuberant energies of her Rider friends. Somara let her go and placed a gentle kiss on Karigan's forehead.
"Well met," she breathed quietly and then whispered an Eletian word. Cool calmness descended into Karigan and she smiled at the benediction.
"Well met," she whispered back.
Karigan grabbed Condor's reins and rubbed his face, hugging him close. Using him as a bit of a shield she then turned towards Enver, who watched her with an odd expression on his face.
"Enver, it was so special to see you again after you saved my life. I wish you rest and peace now that you have returned home."
Karigan was quite proud of her little speech. She thought it set the right tone; earnestly grateful with a hint of do-not-follow-me. She just desperately hoped he would take it. After an interminable moment she was relieved to see him bow towards her.
"It is my honour to have seen you looking so well. May our paths cross in future."
Karigan smiled at him but did not reply. She definitely did not hope the same and was quite glad not to feel the same premonition as when Somara had bestowed a wish upon her. Karigan took one final glance around, her heart swelling with gratitude and sadness. Then she sniffed, waved to her friends, and turned to follow Somial into the woods and away from the Eletian homeland.
Karigan and Somial walked for some time in silence as Karigan processed her feelings, trying to wrap her head around the whole experience. She might not have had a traditional diplomatic trip but wow, didn't she have a lot to share! And much of it humanity could definitely benefit from, her mouth dimpling as her mind strayed back to her glorious, self-heating bath. If only.
Condor trailed behind them at a sure pace. Karigan found this to be one of the most pleasant walks she had had to date. Her Eletian boots, well-worn in now, were silent, soft and did not hurt her feet. She was in top condition all things considered, although she would need frequent breaks, and her clothing was almost perfectly suited to the weather. More importantly, her months of regular meditation practice augmented her awareness of her surroundings and she found considerable beauty in the trail around her. However it was only 2 bells before she began to feel the effects of this longer walk and she was about to mention it to Somial when he motioned to the left and they walked a small way into a clearing.
"We shall have tea and rest your back," he said. She assented with thanks and busied herself with the tea pot whilst he checked on Condor. She placed the tea leaves – honeyed pine, her favourite! – in the pot and dipped it into a nearby stream of fresh, running water. She laid it on a stone and then watched as Somial spoke a Word and the stone began to heat. It was fascinating to watch the tea boil and they sat in silent ceremony as the leaves imparted their favour. After a few minutes, Somial produced cups and Karigan poured them both tea. They nodded to each other and sipped, enjoying the fresh scent and grounding flavour.
"I'll miss this," she said with a sigh. "This tea is just the best."
Somial smiled and agreed. "It is also my favourite. I would suggest a quick healing and then some stretches before we proceed further."
Karigan did as he suggested and found herself much more refreshed, the tea and his healing energy working their magic. "I'm happy to keep going when you are," she said after finishing her stretches and packing up the tea things. He nodded and continued without further conversation.
She trotted off after him and Condor brought up the rear. To be honest, his demeanour was a touch puzzling. She watched the outline of his graceful body move through the forest as if he was part of it, which she guessed he was in a way. She didn't want to make assumptions about his Eletian ways but he seemed more aloof than she was used to. It made her feel slightly uneasy; she had left her friends and family and not known when she would return all those months ago, and had put her trust in Somial and Somara. To now feel as if he no longer valued those ties….she shook her head. She was imagining things surely.
After walking a considerable distance Karigan felt a change come over her, as if she walked through a waterfall of energy, and shortly after Somial called for another break. This time she was in significant discomfort. She walked around the clearing with her hands clutching at her lower back, and was reminded of the women she had seen her aunts attend in late stage labour as a child. Somial stopped her and clasped her hands.
"Karigan, let me place another healing." She assented but was worried and he paused, waiting.
"I was expecting to be able to walk more than a few miles. I had gotten so strong. Or at least I thought I had. I'm worried."
He smiled at her softly. "I know it can be disconcerting. However you have walked further than you realise and this is to be expected. Accommodations will need to be made as you travel forth in life and you are aware of this. But it does not mean that I cannot provide you comfort now, or at other times you might desire."
She assented and closed her eyes, mulling over his words. He had a point. She did tend to think all would be solved when the hard yards were put in but the reality was the she couldn't control what happened in life and needed to accept her limitations. She really had thought she had moved past her desire for that which could not be, but here it was, raising its ugly head. I guess it takes more time, she thought with a sigh of happiness as Somial's healing energy flowed through the warm touch of his hands covering her neck and stroking her temple. Her mind then moved to the end of his sentence. At other times? Whatever did that mean?
He let go and she smiled into his eyes. He gazed back at her unblinkingly before he broke the connection and stood gracefully. She blinked and shivered before busying herself with taking the soup mix out of her pack and filling the pot for their lunch.
"I will return shortly," came Somial's voice out of nowhere and as she looked up he had disappeared back onto the trail. She shrugged and shivered again, running her hands up and down her arms absentmindedly to warm up. She frowned. Wait a minute, she hadn't been cold since she first arrived in Eletia. She looked up at the sky and was surprised to see clouds forming darkly up ahead. She was freezing. With chattering teeth she walked to her saddle bags and rummaged around, looking for extra layers. She found wool leggings, a wool under top and a thick, mid-thigh coat, warm but extremely light. She shucked her clothes until she stood only in her pretty under things and placed the extra layers on, moving as quickly as she could to put layers back on. She was still shivering as she buttoned the coat in place. She was warming quickly; not unexpected in the premium Eletian clothing. She was probably slightly overdressed given how quickly she would warm up on the trail but no matter, she hated the cold. The soup was just boiling as Somial returned and he sat down at the campfire and ladled out their lunch. She wondered what secret Eletian business had taken his attention but didn't have to wait long to find out.
"We are close to the point where we shall part ways," he stated as he sipped. She stared at him with an open mouth.
"That can't be right! When we came to Eletia it took us two weeks and we have been travelling a matter of hours!"
He ducked his head in acknowledgement. "You are not incorrect, however we are not returning to the castle. There is a town here that is a more suitable place for you to re-enter amongst your kind and it would be best if you were not accompanied by one of the Elt. You will not sleep on the road tonight."
Karigan was surprised and felt a bit bereft. She was not prepared for this to be her final hours of the Eletian adventure and had not realised her time with Somial was coming to a close so quickly.
"Where are we heading?" she asked, trying not to choke on her words.
"I am unsure of what this place is called in the human tongue, but it is sacred to our kind as many spirits of the forest call to us from this home." A shadow passed over his face as he spoke for a moment. Well, that doesn't give me much to go on, she thought sardonically.
They finished their soup in silence and he insisted on a final meditation practice. She showed to him once again her effortless ability to move between the visions of the mirror eye and the white world. When he was satisfied they packed up and continued. The weather grew worse and eventually rain began to fall. Karigan couldn't understand it why it was so cold and wet all of a sudden. Now that she thought about it, a fog seemed to lift from her mind slightly. What a strange idea, to have perfect sunny conditions all summer. That can't have been natural. She remembered that waterfall feeling that had passed through her body just before they stopped for lunch and decided they must have walked through the Eletian barrier then. Perhaps the weather was different beyond the magical perimeter?
Hmmm, still strange though, there weren't often storms this cold in summer. She tightened her jacket more tightly around her body and pulled the hood up, marvelling at how warm and dry she was. She would be sorry when these clothes wore out one day.
The sky darkened further and Karigan saw the sun was setting through the threatening clouds. Karigan was about to suggest they set up camp when to her astonishment, they crested a hill and a small, glittering town was strewn before them. She stopped in shock as this visage of humanity opened up before her so brazenly. Somial turned to her and beckoned her to come. She continued rooted to the spot and finally he walked back to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm not ready," she whispered. "I think I want to stay in Eletia. That must seem ridiculous though."
His expression shifted before quickly neutralising and he squeezed her shoulder. "Come," he said softly, and they continued down towards the town. Half a bell later they were within sight of the towns walls and he again brought them to a stop, turning to face her.
"Our time together has come to an end, Karigan. It has been my great honour and I am saddened to see you leave. I have cared for you deeply during our healings and am gratified at the impact this has had on you." He seemed to be almost searching for words but she dismissed the idea; an Eletian would not appear so in front of a human.
"I'll miss you Somial. Thank you for everything," she finished somewhat lamely and then threw her arms around him. She felt his arms encircle her and sighed into his embrace, saddened to leave someone she felt so deeply for. Tears rolled down her face for hopefully the last time that day and she tightened her grip before releasing him. She wiped her face with her hand and tried to smile. "Maybe I'll see you again sometime?"
He regarded her again and gave her one last gentle smile. "I would like that." He placed his palm on the top of her head and she felt the familiar soothing green roll down her back. Once he finished he caressed her cheek. "Goodbye, Karigan."
Somial walked to Condor and stroked his cheek as well, whispering softly in Eletian. Condor listened intently before replying with a snort. Somial chuckled and then turned to face Karigan, his expression serene but solemn. He bowed to her and she returned with her formal merchant goodbye. When she rose, he was gone. Tears threatened to spill again. "Goodbye," she whispered to the breeze. Then she rolled her shoulders and walked over to Condor to give him a hug. "Let's go," she whispered and together they walked towards the town. As soon as they reached the gate she stopped dead, her mouth gaping open.
"North," she said weakly. He had led her to North.