After sunrise, the group collected fresh water for their trek across the desert. The water was warm but drinkable. It was a mixture of Shi’Pel glacier runoff, the rains along the Spirit Tower Range, and hundreds of small desert valleys along the eastern Volney River Valley. It was old water that had slowly traveled through thousands of miles of rough dry lands, and it tasted of every mile.
In order to head northwest, they first had to cross over an ancient stone bridge which spanned the mighty Volney River. It had held up well for thousands of years, with only minor damage and erosion. It was the last location for the water to taste dry and old; for once it traveled under the bridge it fell thousands of feet below into the Ki’Volney Lake valley. The mist from this mighty Lagona Falls transformed the lower desert into a forest of life, breathing oxygen back into the water before it traveled west to Lake Luthralum.
While crossing the bridge, Thorik and Avanda stopped for a few moments and looked over the falls and across the open land below. The scene was majestic and filled with the colors of life as various rivers ran into clear blue lakes. Tan sand dunes were spread across the lower desert like waves on an ocean. Green vegetation trimmed many of the desert lakes as well as the mighty mountains, often rising to white peaks.
Taking in a deep breath, Avanda firmly held Thorik’s hand and absorbed the vastness of the entire landscape. “I never realized how beautiful our land was, until we almost lost the chance to see it forever.”
Thorik squeezed her hand. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Avanda. You saved my life.”
“And you mine.” She then let go of his hand. “Don’t move,” she requested as she searched through her pockets. The rest of the travelers had already crossed and were continuing on their way.
Thorik gazed out onto the miraculous scene while waiting for her. It felt wonderful to be alive.
“Here.” Avanda handed him a light blue crystal shard.
Thorik looked at it for a moment before realizing where it had come from. “This is from Della Estovia. Is this one of shards from the crystal that Bakalor shattered?”
“Yes. One of the pieces fell into my pocket when the crystal was hit and showered me with debris. I want you to hold on to it and think of how we feel right here, at this moment, as we look over the valley and realize how bad it could have been, and how we worked together to make it through alive.”
“Thank you, but this is too important of a memory for you to give this to me.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re not?” He was obviously confused.
“No. This is ours to share. When times are difficult for one of us and we need strength and support, all we will need to do is hand this to the other.” She closed her palm over his, covering the shard before cupping her other hand below his. “No words will be needed; we’ll know what it means. Even if we become angry with each other, this will be the symbol of how we felt about one another while standing here on this bridge. It will be the symbol of our true feelings.”
“Thank you,” Thorik said softly. “But,”
“I know. You need to stay focused on saving Gluic.” She nodded. “You’ll know when it is time to give me the crystal back, and I will be there for you when you do.”
A silent nod followed as the two scanned the horizon for a few more minutes before leaving the bridge and catching up to the others.