p class="MsoNormal"strongHello There! Sorry for the long wait…again. But here is my next chapter./strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEnjoy./strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong-Joyful Wild/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/strongChapter 10- The Inconceivable/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia woke up in the afternoon with a small headache from all the crying she had done the night before. Her small fire was out but the sun provided some light despite the thick branches. She slowly got up and looked at the wall of paintings. She could see more now that it was daylight. She felt her heart sink when she saw pictures of Esben. Then she remembered something that her mother told her. To look for the good in everything and thank the Maker for it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia let a few tears fall down her face as she silently thanked the Maker for the wonderful memories she shared with Esben and her children. She smiled when she saw a picture of her, Esben, Kalmar, Janner, and a newborn Leeli sleeping in her arms. Nia took a deep breath before she turned and walked to the entrance thinking of where to go./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe looked to her right and found a small trail leading through the bushes and trees. emI wonder if that's where Clovenfast is, /emshe thought. Kalmar had told her that there was a city full of cloven except for the ones that went mad because of their memory. Then Nia froze for a minute emMad cloven went outside of the city and if Esben went mad and this is his cave then… /emNia franticly looked around for any cloven. Yes, the cloven became human again but she wondered if there were any cloven that were just too mad to even think of going back home./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot only that she witnessed more creatures that seemed the most dangerous creatures there was. Unfortunately, she lost her sword and she felt turned around since it was dark, and everything looked the same. Then she said a silent prayer to the Maker and walked on the trail that she found. A few minutes later she found a gate and stood there for while debating on whether or not she should open it. As far as she could tell there wasn't a way around it and it was too tall to look over even if she jumped as high as she could./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia took a few deep breaths and slowly grabbed the handle and pulled the door open a little bit and standing behind it listening for any other things that could be on the other side. Once she gathered more courage, she slowly peeked past the door to see the trail lead through a place that had small hut like structures lining down the road. She finally let out a breath that she didn't know was holding in when she saw that no one was there./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce she got to the other side of the gate and quietly closed it, she kept on walking feeling a bit more secure now that she was in somewhat of a town. emThis must be Clovenfast. /emShe thought. Then she stopped when she heard her stomach growl. She looked around at the little huts and wondered if she should go in them to find food. A part of her felt wrong on stealing something but she was too hungry and she kept telling herself that no one lives here anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce she finally found some berries that were good to eat, she kept on walking the trail. She wasn't completely full but it would do. As she walked on the structures seemed to turn into more strong houses, each one looking unique. Then she saw a bigger road ahead but then she heard a noise. It sounded like someone was speaking, it was Amrah and few other strange creatures and fangs. Nia quickly went behind a building but wanted to listen to see if they were planning something./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Amrah, how could you let her get away?!" Said a creature that walked next to a limping cat with the front of a bird. The creature that spoke looked like a wolf with legs of a horse and antlers on its head. "You had her in your claws and then a little cut made you drop her and loose her?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But mother-!" Amrah said looking up from her hurt claw that had a bandage wrapped around it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Don't 'but mother' ME! It's your fault that we lost a chance of making another Darkstoner!" span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia was confused for many reasons. emWhat's a Darkstoner? And is that Murgah?! How can they be alive? What happened to them. /emMurgah continued to speak as she kept walking with Amrah wincing in pain from her hurt claw. Nia could only make out a little bit of what Murgah said, "You're lucky that we have someone else to use the Dark Stone on. Or I'll have to…" Nia decided that she should start leaving. She stayed behind the buildings for as long as she can looking between them for the road. And she was surprised when she found herself almost feeling sorry for Amrah./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe kept on running as quickly and quietly as she could until finally, she found an exit. But it was a closed gate guarded by fangs. There were two green fangs on the ground and two grey fangs on top of the wall that held the gate. She sat there for a while until she came up with a plan. And what seemed to be Maker sent, a loud clap of thunder boomed which made all the fangs look up./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia saw her chance and ran towards a green fang and took his sword and used to it to kill him, then the next green fang. She looked up and saw the grey fangs trying to find their way down. Nia found a big lever and pulled it with all her might to open the gate. Once the gap between the doors was big enough for her to squeeze in, she ran right through and never looked back. At least for what felt like a few minutes./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer legs burned and she felt herself getting lightheaded. She finally allowed herself to slow down a bit and find a place to hide and rest. She looked behind her and didn't see any signs of creatures at least she was mostly sure. It was hard to tell from all the wind that was pushing everything around making it hard to tell what was a plant and what was a creature. Then she heard a bark and turned around to see a cloven running towards her. She braced herself and readied her sword. Once it pounced, she couldn't help but scream as she thrust the sword into the creature that knocked back to the ground. Once she got back up, she started running again./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut she didn't stop in time when she saw a steep hill and tumbled down-which made her scream again- it while dropping her sword. Luckily her sword didn't go anywhere near her when she reached the bottom. She got up and looked back at the hill that she had fallen from and heard howling and growling close by. She heard thunder once more and looked at the sky that was growing dark by the minute. "THERE SHE IS!" Nia looked back at the hill to find a few fangs and cloven running down it. Nia began to run again until she heard a voice that she never thought she would hear again. It was Esben. "Nia! NIA RUN!" Nia didn't know where the voice came from but she obeyed it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia ran into the woods hearing many noises of howling and roaring. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe didn't know if it was her imagination or not but she thought she heard screams of pain, as if the fangs were being attacked. Then the only noise that she could hear was the nearby storm. She sat down against a tree to catch her breath. emMaybe I'm just hearing things. It couldn't have been Esben, right? /emAnd as if to answer her question she heard Esben's voice again. It almost had the sound of a roar mixed with his voice, "NIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAA! Nia where are you?!" But then another voice came and Nia knew that she had to be hearing things. The voice belonged to Rudrick, "The Fangs are gone you can come out now!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia couldn't believe what happening. She wanted to get up and continue her journey on finding Kalmar but she was to tired. Then she laid on the ground and almost immediately fell asleep. But she woke up to someone gently nudging her shoulder, and the voice she heard earlier sounded like they were right next to her. "Nia. Nia? Are you okay?" Esben asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"…/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben and Rudrick were very tired when they finished off the fangs and cloven. Some of them had ran off in fear and Rudrick was able to pick up a sword from one of the fallen fangs. They started wandering in the forest calling for Nia. "Esben, are you sure that was Nia?" Rudrick asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, I'm sure. That was her. I just know it." Esben said as he sniffed the air hoping to catch her scent but the wind made all the scents around him mix up together./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You can't get her scent?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No." Esben said with a more worried voice. Then out of nowhere Esben stopped and yelled which made Rudrick jump and fall to the ground. "NIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAA! Nia where are you?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Esben!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Could you please warn me next time you plan to roar?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Hehe. Sorry." Esben said./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Rudrick yelled, "The fangs are gone you can come out now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben looked at Rudrick and said, "And yet you can yell whenever you like."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, my yell didn't sound like roar."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen they continued their search for a couple minutes until finally they found her sleeping beneath a tree. They both stood there wondering if they should wake her up or let her sleep. "I'll keep a look out for any creatures nearby," Rudrick said as he took his fang sword and engraved an 'x' on a tree, "I'll be making marks on a few trees in case you need to find me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Alright," Esben said, "Are you okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, I just think that you two might need to talk alone."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben smiled at his friend, "Thanks Rudrick, for everything."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanRudrick smiled back, "You're welcome." Then he walked into the shadows./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben slowly walked up to Nia and laid down in front of her with his head on the ground and admired her beauty. Even though she was covered in scratches, bruises, and dirt, she still looked beautiful. He smiled as he remembered the day, he first met her. Then he gently nudged her shoulder with his paw, trying to be very careful with his claws. Then he said with a gentle voice, "Nia. Nia? Are you okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe backed up a bit so that he wouldn't scare her when she woke up. Nia only stirred a bit and before she opened her eyes she whispered, "Esben?" Esben slowly walked up her and put his nose up against her forehead as a kiss and whispered again, "Nia, open your eyes. It's okay. I'm right here, love."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Nia opened her eyes and at first, he saw fear in them but then shock and surprise. Nia's jaw dropped as she looked into her husband's eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe same eyes that she saw on her wedding day and the same eyes that she saw die in front of her on the boat. Those eyes now looked into hers with love and peace. "Esben?!" She exclaimed. Tears started to swell in her eyes and she felt a sob in her throat. "Yes, my love," the bear said, "It's me. I'm right here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia finally burst into tears and hugged Esben never wanting to let go. Even though she was very confused, she thanked the Maker with all of her heart that she got her husband back. When she finally cried out all of her tears, she leaned back a little bit and said, "How are you here? I… I thought you were dead!?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"The Maker let me and Rudrick come back! He told us to go to Throg and that He has a plan for us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Wait, Rudrick's here too?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, he went to go lookout for any wild animals while I talked to you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, I wasn't hearing things?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No. We'll be okay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Nia started to panic a bit, "Did Rudrick tell you about what happened before we found out you…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You mean when you two got engaged?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Y…yes." Nia looked down in guilt. Esben lowered his head and put his forehead up against hers. Nia hid her face in her hands and cried, "I'm sorry Esben. I…I didn't know! I thought you were dead all this time and I just… I felt…alone." She said in between sobs./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nia, it's going to be okay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No, it's not! I betrayed you. I'm sorry Esben. I didn't mean to. I- "/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nia, look at me. I know you didn't know. I don't blame you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I can't blame you. Just how I can't blame Rudrick. Neither of you knew."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But I'm the one who said 'yes'."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I know you did. And I forgive you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But I was going to marry another man while you were still alive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But you didn't know that I was alive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia stood there speechless. She suddenly felt relieved and at peace but at the same time her mind was racing with thoughts. emIs this really happening? Did Esben and Rudrick really see the Maker? What am I going to even say when I see Rudrick? /emThen Nia wrapped her arms around Esben's neck and buried her face into his fur as tears of joy and thanksgiving fell down her face. She felt Esben wrap his big arms around her and held her tight. She was still confused about all that she heard, but she thanked the Maker for this surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSuddenly they heard someone calling out their names. It was Rudrick, "Esben! Nia!" Then Rudrick came out from behind the trees very tired. "Rudrick!" Esben said. He set Nia on the ground they both rushed towards Rudrick who had his hands on his knees. "Rudrick what happened!?" Esben said./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Something's coming. I have no idea what it was, but it looked angry."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What did it look like?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't know maybe a cloven…that can shapeshift. It looked like giant spider but it had a bird's beak! Then all of sudden a strange light surrounded it then when the light left it had wings and its legs grew claws! I'm not sure if it saw me come it's coming this way!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What kind of creature is that?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"That's what I thought!" Then Rudrick looked at Nia who looked very shocked. She looked at Esben then at Rudrick, then back to Esben, then back to Rudrick./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Did you two…" But Nia was too shocked to speak./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Rudrick said," I'm sure you want to talk but right now we don't have time. The Maker wants us to go to Throg so we better get moving."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Uh okay." Nia said. Still unsure what was happening./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Are you okay?" Esben asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just very surprised about this whole week actually."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Esben, Nia and Rudrick continued their journey while Nia told them about what happened when they were gone./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEnjoy./strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong-Joyful Wild/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strong /strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"strongspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/strongChapter 10- The Inconceivable/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia woke up in the afternoon with a small headache from all the crying she had done the night before. Her small fire was out but the sun provided some light despite the thick branches. She slowly got up and looked at the wall of paintings. She could see more now that it was daylight. She felt her heart sink when she saw pictures of Esben. Then she remembered something that her mother told her. To look for the good in everything and thank the Maker for it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia let a few tears fall down her face as she silently thanked the Maker for the wonderful memories she shared with Esben and her children. She smiled when she saw a picture of her, Esben, Kalmar, Janner, and a newborn Leeli sleeping in her arms. Nia took a deep breath before she turned and walked to the entrance thinking of where to go./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe looked to her right and found a small trail leading through the bushes and trees. emI wonder if that's where Clovenfast is, /emshe thought. Kalmar had told her that there was a city full of cloven except for the ones that went mad because of their memory. Then Nia froze for a minute emMad cloven went outside of the city and if Esben went mad and this is his cave then… /emNia franticly looked around for any cloven. Yes, the cloven became human again but she wondered if there were any cloven that were just too mad to even think of going back home./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot only that she witnessed more creatures that seemed the most dangerous creatures there was. Unfortunately, she lost her sword and she felt turned around since it was dark, and everything looked the same. Then she said a silent prayer to the Maker and walked on the trail that she found. A few minutes later she found a gate and stood there for while debating on whether or not she should open it. As far as she could tell there wasn't a way around it and it was too tall to look over even if she jumped as high as she could./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia took a few deep breaths and slowly grabbed the handle and pulled the door open a little bit and standing behind it listening for any other things that could be on the other side. Once she gathered more courage, she slowly peeked past the door to see the trail lead through a place that had small hut like structures lining down the road. She finally let out a breath that she didn't know was holding in when she saw that no one was there./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce she got to the other side of the gate and quietly closed it, she kept on walking feeling a bit more secure now that she was in somewhat of a town. emThis must be Clovenfast. /emShe thought. Then she stopped when she heard her stomach growl. She looked around at the little huts and wondered if she should go in them to find food. A part of her felt wrong on stealing something but she was too hungry and she kept telling herself that no one lives here anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce she finally found some berries that were good to eat, she kept on walking the trail. She wasn't completely full but it would do. As she walked on the structures seemed to turn into more strong houses, each one looking unique. Then she saw a bigger road ahead but then she heard a noise. It sounded like someone was speaking, it was Amrah and few other strange creatures and fangs. Nia quickly went behind a building but wanted to listen to see if they were planning something./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Amrah, how could you let her get away?!" Said a creature that walked next to a limping cat with the front of a bird. The creature that spoke looked like a wolf with legs of a horse and antlers on its head. "You had her in your claws and then a little cut made you drop her and loose her?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But mother-!" Amrah said looking up from her hurt claw that had a bandage wrapped around it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Don't 'but mother' ME! It's your fault that we lost a chance of making another Darkstoner!" span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia was confused for many reasons. emWhat's a Darkstoner? And is that Murgah?! How can they be alive? What happened to them. /emMurgah continued to speak as she kept walking with Amrah wincing in pain from her hurt claw. Nia could only make out a little bit of what Murgah said, "You're lucky that we have someone else to use the Dark Stone on. Or I'll have to…" Nia decided that she should start leaving. She stayed behind the buildings for as long as she can looking between them for the road. And she was surprised when she found herself almost feeling sorry for Amrah./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe kept on running as quickly and quietly as she could until finally, she found an exit. But it was a closed gate guarded by fangs. There were two green fangs on the ground and two grey fangs on top of the wall that held the gate. She sat there for a while until she came up with a plan. And what seemed to be Maker sent, a loud clap of thunder boomed which made all the fangs look up./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia saw her chance and ran towards a green fang and took his sword and used to it to kill him, then the next green fang. She looked up and saw the grey fangs trying to find their way down. Nia found a big lever and pulled it with all her might to open the gate. Once the gap between the doors was big enough for her to squeeze in, she ran right through and never looked back. At least for what felt like a few minutes./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHer legs burned and she felt herself getting lightheaded. She finally allowed herself to slow down a bit and find a place to hide and rest. She looked behind her and didn't see any signs of creatures at least she was mostly sure. It was hard to tell from all the wind that was pushing everything around making it hard to tell what was a plant and what was a creature. Then she heard a bark and turned around to see a cloven running towards her. She braced herself and readied her sword. Once it pounced, she couldn't help but scream as she thrust the sword into the creature that knocked back to the ground. Once she got back up, she started running again./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut she didn't stop in time when she saw a steep hill and tumbled down-which made her scream again- it while dropping her sword. Luckily her sword didn't go anywhere near her when she reached the bottom. She got up and looked back at the hill that she had fallen from and heard howling and growling close by. She heard thunder once more and looked at the sky that was growing dark by the minute. "THERE SHE IS!" Nia looked back at the hill to find a few fangs and cloven running down it. Nia began to run again until she heard a voice that she never thought she would hear again. It was Esben. "Nia! NIA RUN!" Nia didn't know where the voice came from but she obeyed it./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia ran into the woods hearing many noises of howling and roaring. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe didn't know if it was her imagination or not but she thought she heard screams of pain, as if the fangs were being attacked. Then the only noise that she could hear was the nearby storm. She sat down against a tree to catch her breath. emMaybe I'm just hearing things. It couldn't have been Esben, right? /emAnd as if to answer her question she heard Esben's voice again. It almost had the sound of a roar mixed with his voice, "NIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAA! Nia where are you?!" But then another voice came and Nia knew that she had to be hearing things. The voice belonged to Rudrick, "The Fangs are gone you can come out now!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia couldn't believe what happening. She wanted to get up and continue her journey on finding Kalmar but she was to tired. Then she laid on the ground and almost immediately fell asleep. But she woke up to someone gently nudging her shoulder, and the voice she heard earlier sounded like they were right next to her. "Nia. Nia? Are you okay?" Esben asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"…/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben and Rudrick were very tired when they finished off the fangs and cloven. Some of them had ran off in fear and Rudrick was able to pick up a sword from one of the fallen fangs. They started wandering in the forest calling for Nia. "Esben, are you sure that was Nia?" Rudrick asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, I'm sure. That was her. I just know it." Esben said as he sniffed the air hoping to catch her scent but the wind made all the scents around him mix up together./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You can't get her scent?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No." Esben said with a more worried voice. Then out of nowhere Esben stopped and yelled which made Rudrick jump and fall to the ground. "NIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAA! Nia where are you?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Esben!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Could you please warn me next time you plan to roar?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Hehe. Sorry." Esben said./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Rudrick yelled, "The fangs are gone you can come out now."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben looked at Rudrick and said, "And yet you can yell whenever you like."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, my yell didn't sound like roar."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen they continued their search for a couple minutes until finally they found her sleeping beneath a tree. They both stood there wondering if they should wake her up or let her sleep. "I'll keep a look out for any creatures nearby," Rudrick said as he took his fang sword and engraved an 'x' on a tree, "I'll be making marks on a few trees in case you need to find me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Alright," Esben said, "Are you okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, I just think that you two might need to talk alone."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben smiled at his friend, "Thanks Rudrick, for everything."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanRudrick smiled back, "You're welcome." Then he walked into the shadows./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanEsben slowly walked up to Nia and laid down in front of her with his head on the ground and admired her beauty. Even though she was covered in scratches, bruises, and dirt, she still looked beautiful. He smiled as he remembered the day, he first met her. Then he gently nudged her shoulder with his paw, trying to be very careful with his claws. Then he said with a gentle voice, "Nia. Nia? Are you okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe backed up a bit so that he wouldn't scare her when she woke up. Nia only stirred a bit and before she opened her eyes she whispered, "Esben?" Esben slowly walked up her and put his nose up against her forehead as a kiss and whispered again, "Nia, open your eyes. It's okay. I'm right here, love."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Nia opened her eyes and at first, he saw fear in them but then shock and surprise. Nia's jaw dropped as she looked into her husband's eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe same eyes that she saw on her wedding day and the same eyes that she saw die in front of her on the boat. Those eyes now looked into hers with love and peace. "Esben?!" She exclaimed. Tears started to swell in her eyes and she felt a sob in her throat. "Yes, my love," the bear said, "It's me. I'm right here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia finally burst into tears and hugged Esben never wanting to let go. Even though she was very confused, she thanked the Maker with all of her heart that she got her husband back. When she finally cried out all of her tears, she leaned back a little bit and said, "How are you here? I… I thought you were dead!?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"The Maker let me and Rudrick come back! He told us to go to Throg and that He has a plan for us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Wait, Rudrick's here too?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yes, he went to go lookout for any wild animals while I talked to you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, I wasn't hearing things?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No. We'll be okay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Nia started to panic a bit, "Did Rudrick tell you about what happened before we found out you…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You mean when you two got engaged?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Y…yes." Nia looked down in guilt. Esben lowered his head and put his forehead up against hers. Nia hid her face in her hands and cried, "I'm sorry Esben. I…I didn't know! I thought you were dead all this time and I just… I felt…alone." She said in between sobs./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nia, it's going to be okay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No, it's not! I betrayed you. I'm sorry Esben. I didn't mean to. I- "/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nia, look at me. I know you didn't know. I don't blame you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I can't blame you. Just how I can't blame Rudrick. Neither of you knew."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But I'm the one who said 'yes'."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I know you did. And I forgive you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But I was going to marry another man while you were still alive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"But you didn't know that I was alive."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNia stood there speechless. She suddenly felt relieved and at peace but at the same time her mind was racing with thoughts. emIs this really happening? Did Esben and Rudrick really see the Maker? What am I going to even say when I see Rudrick? /emThen Nia wrapped her arms around Esben's neck and buried her face into his fur as tears of joy and thanksgiving fell down her face. She felt Esben wrap his big arms around her and held her tight. She was still confused about all that she heard, but she thanked the Maker for this surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSuddenly they heard someone calling out their names. It was Rudrick, "Esben! Nia!" Then Rudrick came out from behind the trees very tired. "Rudrick!" Esben said. He set Nia on the ground they both rushed towards Rudrick who had his hands on his knees. "Rudrick what happened!?" Esben said./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Something's coming. I have no idea what it was, but it looked angry."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What did it look like?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't know maybe a cloven…that can shapeshift. It looked like giant spider but it had a bird's beak! Then all of sudden a strange light surrounded it then when the light left it had wings and its legs grew claws! I'm not sure if it saw me come it's coming this way!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What kind of creature is that?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"That's what I thought!" Then Rudrick looked at Nia who looked very shocked. She looked at Esben then at Rudrick, then back to Esben, then back to Rudrick./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Did you two…" But Nia was too shocked to speak./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Rudrick said," I'm sure you want to talk but right now we don't have time. The Maker wants us to go to Throg so we better get moving."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Uh okay." Nia said. Still unsure what was happening./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Are you okay?" Esben asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just very surprised about this whole week actually."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThen Esben, Nia and Rudrick continued their journey while Nia told them about what happened when they were gone./p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p