A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) (13 page)

“Princess Penella is this close? Certainly we must stop her,” Drinian replied, grabbing his satchel and sword from a large rock.

“Your Majesty, you can’t do that,” Woodphere exclaimed.

“Why not, Woodphere? We cannot let this happen,” Drinian replied.

“We cannot do anything to stop her! She is a princess, just as you are a prince who has the right to make decisions. If you chose to do the same as Princess Penella and take girls from their home, Princess Penella could not stop you. You cannot stop her either.”

“Can we at least try?” Drinian asked.

“If you remember Your Majesty, Princess Penella may still be trying to kill you,” Woodphere replied as he stood to his feet.

“Woodphere, Moolow said that the search for me was off, and I believe him.”

“Moolow was right. Princess Penella has revoked her claim for Drinian. I just heard her with my very own ears,” replied Constance.

“Princess Penella may have changed, but I am sure there are still Molters that would very much like to kill you, Drinian.”

“I know, but let us take our chances.”

“Your Majesty, I must insist that for your and Constance’s safety, you do not continue until Princess Penella has left the Molter camp.” Woodphere said, rubbing his bald head.

“I guess you are right, Woodphere. We’ll wait until Princess Penella is gone, then we shall travel through the Molter camp,” Drinian replied.

“Drinian, we can't let those girls be taken!”

“I will make sure that they aren’t forced to marry. I will talk with my advisers as soon as we reach Castle Melody. How does that sound?” Drinian asked.

“Alright,” Constance said, as she looked up at Drinian.

“Now where's the clothing you have brought us?” Drinian asked.

Constance opened the parcel and handed Woodphere and Drinian their garments.

“So, how did you do with bargaining?” Woodphere asked.

“Very well! The merchant was tough, but I finally wore him down to my price.”

“Excellent,” Woodphere said, as he took the clothing.

****************

Soon they were changed into their Molter attire, and readied themselves to go into the camp. “Are you nervous about entering into the Molter camp?” Constance asked, as they made their way down the hill.

“Not really, I hope the Molters listen to Princess Penella.”

“I should warn you Drinian. A few Molters didn’t seem too happy with Princess Penella’s decision.”

“I assumed that not all would give up trying to kill me. That is why we must be careful.”

“Do you think anyone will recognize you?”

“I hope not with all this mud on my face. Do you think I look like myself?”

“You look like... Drinian with mud on his face.”

“Daisy and clover leaves, I did want to look a little different,” Drinian sighed in disappointment.

“I was only joking,” Constance replied.

“We’re coming into camp. Now try not to stand out, and don’t talk any more than you have too,” Woodphere replied soberly.

“Drinian promise me that you will try as hard as you can to stop this,” Constance whispered, as she observed several women wailing from the loss of their daughters.

“I will do all I possibly can.”

Just then Constance spotted one of the men who had disagreed with Princess Penella. He was sitting on a stool making a rope when he noticed the three approaching. He quickly stood and started walking their way.

“Excuse me,” said the man walking up to Constance, Drinian, and Woodphere.

Constance stood there fearing the man would recognize Drinian!
Please God don't let him recognize us,
Constance prayed.

“It looks like you’re not from here. Where do you come from?” the man asked while chewing a wad of tobacco.

“I am from Canada, and am returning back to my uncle. These two friends are escorting me, so please let us pass,” Constance said, trying to sound confident.

“My, you must be a rich little lady to have escorts,” the man replied rudely.

“You...” Drinian exclaimed before getting interrupted.

“Stop Drin...Dolan!” Constance said, trying to cover up her mistake.

“Excuse me sir, but I believe my wealth or lack of it is none of your business. And as for calling me little lady, don’t think you can get anywhere flattering me!”

The man stood in apparent shock as Constance marched by, ignoring him completely.

Drinian chuckled to himself as he imagined what the man was thinking. Constance might be small in stature, but she sure knew how to speak her mind.

“You handled yourself very well back there, Constance. I am impressed,” Drinian whispered to her.

“Thank you. You see I do know how to take care of myself.”

“Indeed you do.”

During the remained of the walk through the camp they blended easily into the crowd. The only incident came when Drinian accidentally bumped into a young woman, causing her to drop a basket of apples. He hurriedly picked them up, and they continued on. They all gave a sigh of relief as they reached the edge of the camp.

“Well, we’ve made it this far now. The rest of journey should be easy going,” Woodphere sighed.

“I wouldn't count on it Woodphere,” Constance replied, as she gave him a mischievous smile.

The Meadow

The three companions could no longer see the Molter camp. The land was flat now, and covered with smooth silky grass. A few pine trees were scattered about, and mountains could be seen in the distance. A river lay ahead of them, sparkling in the sunlight.

“A river? You did not tell me that we would encounter a river,” Constance said as they walked.

“It is not much of a river at all, and it is very easy to cross. The meadow lies beyond it,” Drinian replied.

“How deep is it?” Constance asked.

“I don’t think it’s very deep, although I’ve never been wet,” Drinian replied.

“What does that mean?”

“It looks like we may have trouble ahead,” Woodphere said.

“A group of four men were standing in the path. They were all older men, except for one, with long beards. They were dressed shabbily and in dirty robes.

“Thieves,” Drinian observed, looking straight ahead.

“They have weapons, Your Majesty,” Woodphere muttered.

“I see that too, Woodphere,” Drinian replied.

“Thieves? What are we going to do?” Constance asked looking up at Drinian.

“We must keep moving. Constance whatever happens do not look them in the eye,” Woodphere warned, as they cautiously moved ahead.

Constance took Drinian's hand as they approached the group of men. “These look like some wealthy folk,” said one of the men who had several missing teeth and a scrawny long beard.

“Aye, would you like to hand over that money you’re carrying,” said a man with a black eye and a noticeable limp.

“We will not give you any money,” Woodphere replied, looking straight ahead.

“What a pretty lass you have along with
ya
, we'll take her along with us,” said the younger man who had a jagged scar across his face.

“You will not take her either!” Woodphere said emphatically.

They walked faster with the thieves following close behind and whispering among themselves.

“Drinian, what are they saying?” Constance asked looking up at him.

“
Shh
!” Woodphere exclaimed.

“Who says we can't have your money and the girl,” one of the men shouted. Suddenly they all pulled out their knives and crept up behind them as Drinian yanked on Constance’s arm.

“Constance, follow Woodphere and run as fast as you can!” Drinian exclaimed.

Constance ran ahead as Drinian darted after her. The thieves did not give up and were drawing close when Constance stumbled and fell. Drinian quickly pulled her upright with his strong arm.

“Are you alright?” Drinian asked breathlessly as they started running again.

“Yes, but those old men can sure run fast for their age.”

“Indeed they can.”

“Oh, no Drinian the river is ahead. How are we going to cross, especially with those men behind us?” Constance exclaimed.

“Do not worry, trust me!”

The younger thief was right on Constance’s heels when he suddenly dived to the ground, grabbing her foot. Constance yanked it free, and kicking him in the dashed on ahead!

They were nearing the river now with the thieves thirty feet behind them. Woodphere was older, but he was still ahead of Drinian and Constance.

“Now what do we do?” Constance cried.

“Woodphere can you decode the plaque?” Drinian asked, pointing to a gold plaque on the ground which had some form of writing on it.

“It is Coptic writing. It says, “Only honest hearts may cross the waters,” Woodphere translated.

“What does that mean?” Constance asked.

“It means those thieves cannot cross and we’re safe!” Drinian exclaimed.

“I would not count on being safe until we cross that river. Let’s not stand here, let’s get going!” Woodphere replied emphatically.

Woodphere carefully touched his foot to the water, and watched in astonishment as it became solid as ice. Immediately he started across!

Constance stood in shock as she watched Woodphere walk further and further across the river.

“Constance don’t stand there, come on!” Drinian commanded, as he pulled Constance after him.

“Drinian, I don't know if we should do this. What if something goes wrong?”

“There's no time to think of that now!”

Constance stepped timidly onto the solid surface, when her feet dropped through into the water!

“Drinian, I can't walk on this!”

“Can you swim?” Drinian exclaimed.

“No!”

“I'll have to carry you!” Drinian exclaimed, picking Constance up in his arms.

“Let me try swimming. You'll hurt yourself carrying me this way.” Constance said.

“I'm not taking that chance.”

Constance watched as the thieves arrived at the plaque beside the river.

“I can't read it, what does it say?” the man with the black eye asked his comrades.

“I don't care what it says, I want that money!” the men with the missing teeth shouted, as he jumped into the water and began swimming toward them.

“Drinian, he's swimming!” Constance exclaimed.

She was nervously watching as the man came closer, when suddenly the man let out a terrifying scream as he plunged beneath the surface!

“Drinian, he's being pulled under water! What should we do?”

Drinian began sprinting toward the riverbank, as Constance breathlessly clung to him. Woodphere was waiting in safety when Drinian set Constance down on dry ground. He grabbed Woodphere's rope, and sped back to the man who was thrashing about in the water!

“Put the rope around your waist! Drinian commanded, once he had gotten to the thief. “I'll pull you up.”

The thieves’ eyes grew wide. “Why are you helping me? I tried to rob you!”

“Everyone deserves a second chance!” Drinian replied, pulling with all his strength to no avail.

Woodphere finally saw Drinian in his distress and ran to aid him in the rescue.

“It is no use, Your Majesty! The current is much too strong!”

“We cannot let him die, Woodphere!”

“It is out of our hands,” Woodphere replied.

Suddenly the thief plunged out of sight, ripping the rope from their grasp. Drinian hung his head in defeat.

“You tried Your Majesty,” Woodphere sighed, putting his arm around Drinian shoulders.

Drinian looked back at the thieves who stood on the riverbank with their heads down.

“I am sorry,” Drinian called to them, before turning around and walking back to Woodphere and Constance.

“I'm sorry Drinian, you did all you could,” Constance said sympathetically.

“Woodphere, why couldn’t I cross the river,” Constance asked. “I have always tried to be honest.

“I’m sure you are honest, but perhaps you could not cross because you’re not from Avonea,” Woodphere replied.

“Maybe so,” Constance answered as they continued toward the meadow.

***************

They gazed down upon the colorful meadow below, covered with thousands of wild daisies.

“Welcome to Maraveil Meadow,” Drinian said, giving a sigh of relief.

“It's beautiful Drinian,” Constance exclaimed in wonder.

“Indeed,” Woodphere agreed.

There was silence for several minutes as they drank in the glorious view. Constance looked up into Drinian's dark face and noticed a faraway look in his eyes.

“Are you still thinking over the accident?” she asked him.

“Yes.”

“Drinian what happened was not your fault. You can't change what's happened.”

“I know Constance, but you should have seen the thieves face at that moment. I didn’t know that thieves could have such sensitive hearts. They truly lost what they thought to be a good friend.”

Constance wished Drinian would cheer up, it was heartbreaking to see him so sad. Finally an idea sprang into her mind as she gave him a tap on the shoulder. “You’re it!” Constance exclaimed, as she ran down the hill.

Drinian looked puzzled, but his eyes brightened and with a hint of a smile he rushed after her. Constance zipped down the hill, nearly falling with Drinian closing in behind. Her eyes sparkled, and the wind blew through her hair as she ran.

Woodphere stood at the top of the hill watching. He was shaking his head with amusement as Constance lost a shoe and kept on running. Drinian was almost within reach when he tripped on it and fell flat on his face!

“Are you alright?” Constance asked, stifling her laughter as she finally came to a stop.

Drinian did not reply.

“I know what you’re doing Drinian! You’re pretending to be hurt,” Constance said, walking a little closer to him.

“Drinian?” she whispered, as she was now so close that she could tell he was neither moving nor breathing!

“Boo!” Drinian shouted as he jumped to his feet.

Constance screamed as Drinian fell to the ground laughing over his sneaky trick.

“You should have seen your face! It was priceless!” Drinian laughed.

“That's not fair!” Constance said, as she sat up.