Property of Goscinny and Uderzo.
The chapter is rather short, but I have limited time to right, and to make the space between posting not too long, I'll just post something when it seems like a good part to read. Just to keep in touch with my audience ;).
P.S. I'm rather jealous of Phyllis in this little part…..
Totally unprepared for the enormous blow she just received, Phyllis soared through the air like a Roman who had just met a Gaul's fist. Instinctively, Asterix broke into a run, but light as she probably was, without the magic potion it would be a painful catch for both of them. And after a few meters he realized he would never make it. But Obelix would. However, Phyllis never landed in his extended arms, cause she suddenly made a sharp turn in the air, and somehow seemed to fix herself there, arms behind her back, as if clinging onto a wall. She looked quite dazed still, but after shaking her head wildly few times, her eyes were sharp as ever as they fixed upon Asterix face.
"What on earth did you….?"
"She was injured, and we could not afford to lose time, so I gave her some magic potion…" He was not about to defend this decision any further."
"How much?"
Asterix glanced at the now empty flask of magic potion. "Well, is she doesn't get any more, it should wear off by the end of today. But the potion does have some minor healing effects…" He glanced at Getafix for confirmation, who shrugged. "It reinforces," their druid said. "The effects are pretty straight-forward if you do not mingle with other potions, or overdose it." He did not throw a glance in Obelix' direction, but the menhir maker still flushed over it. "And it is perfectly safe for animals, even little ones like Dogmatix.
Phyllis was back on the ground now, and she took a quick look at Dogmatix before walking back to Goliath, who seemed startled by the damage her playful nudge had done, shrinking back nervously as her female friend extended a hand at her head. "It's okay," Phyllis said softly, and she leant closer to pet her horse, stroking her quite like before, but without glowing hands this time. Then, she stepped back and all of a sudden broke into a mischievous smile. "Until the end of today you said?", glancing at Asterix, who simply nodded, puzzled about her change of mood. "That would give us a few more hours…" She looked into her horses eyes. "You wanna go for a ride?"
It must have been a familiar question, cause the horse waved her head enthusiastically, before running toward Phyllis, who pulled herself up effortlessly. Her eyes gleaming in anticipation, she took two fistfuls of Goliath's black manes, steadied herself and with a mischievous smile to Asterix she said: "Time to see what that potion can really do."
Bonny took a hesitant step forward: "Phyllis, please don't do anything…". She was cut off as Goliath leapt forward, brushing her shoulders as she started off towards the village gates, sending Bonny into a violent spin. Obelix put out a hand to steady her. "….stupid," she finished, somewhat dazed.
In a matter of seconds, horse and rider were miles away, sprinting forward with lightning speed. Phyllis had to hold Goliath's manes with all her might, she did not even touch the horses' back, swaying in the wind like a flag. Finally she managed to position her knees at Goliath's sides, keeping a rather uncertain balance. They crossed the forest, past the roman camps, and headed for the beach. The moment Goliaths' hooves touched the water, it splashed up all around the, meters high, soaking them in the blink of an eye. As the sped forward, creating walls of water around as they did so, Phyllis mind was a complete blank. The only thing that mattered was to cling on, cause falling would mean nastiness. But she did not feel a glimmer of fear. Nothing mattered, besides clinging onto a long lost friend, and not letting her go. But as Goliath slowed down a little, sliding into a recognizable speed, she let her legs stretch, and positioned herself into the rhythm of the gallop. The all familiar movement hit her hard as they continued to follow the beach. Each time Goliath's hooves left the ground, that sensation of flying. But it was when they touched the ground that Phyllis felt a jolt of joy, for every shock reminded her the moment was real.
She was free of the curse that had separated them. Mesmeron could not touch her now. Her parents were miles away, she had her horse right here, and this time she knew for sure that she would die before she would ever let herself be separated from her again. But if they kept riding, there would be no need. If they just kept following the sea, for days, for weeks, for months, she would find her parents and her sister….maybe even some long lost friends. For the first in years, she was free. The feeling was so overwhelming that she got dizzy, and under the setting sun, she motioned for Goliath to slow down. Sliding off her back, Phyllis let herself hit the sand, completely exhausted. She laid completely still, letting her soaked body get warmed by the remains of the setting sun. Goliath's nose touched her face, and she giggled. This moment was pure bliss. She would gladly have given up pursuing vengeance to make it last.
But things were not that simple. As she pushed herself up, she watched the setting sun, more beautiful than ever and longed to follow it. Across the sea, towards warmer places. Places that she could call home. But no matter how much she felt the south calling her back, she could not leave Armorica right now. Vengeance she could have let slip. But her current bliss would have a price, and she was not the one who would have to pay. It was tempting to walk away, but as impossible as touching the sun. If she left now, Goliath by her side, her horses' eyes would forever reflect the eyes of her savior. And she had not missed the reproaching look that Obelix had tried to hide. He doubted her. He thought she would run off, leaving his best friend in mortal peril. But she would die before she let that happen. And that why she so determinately enjoyed this moment of freedom, soaking it up like a sponge. She had no idea how to survive another battle against the wizard. But this moment he could never take away again. And for this, she felt a gratitude beyond anything she had ever experienced. She had doubted Asterix' motives for finding Goliath. And though her instincts told her he meant only the best, her doubts had never completely vanished. But that moment, when she had told him she was going to check how good the magic potion really was, she had waited a few more moments. He had made no attempt to stop her. Either he had only wanted to set her free, or he trusted her to come back. Both of these reasons made it impossible for her to leave, and they drew her back to the nameless village like a moth to a torch, flirting with her final moments in total fascination for the light.