Geth'n awoke several times during the night, looked at the stars sprinkled across the sky and wondered what the gods had in store for them. Three young people with little experience chosen to stop, or hinder, the madness that might overwhelm them and their world.
What is there about us? Why us?
He couldn't guess, there were no answers now.
The next morning the trio left as planned, departing quietly. They bargained for another horse from a fellow who had probably stolen it during the night; he was quick to accept what they offered in exchange. Then he ran away.
Walking westward along the road, leading the horses, took most the day.
They decided to stop and camp near a busy junction. One of the roads led to Tariny from this intersection according to information Mr. Farlen had given them that morning.
He told them the road running southward led to the sea,. The other led into the mountains.
They camped in a secluded area behind a nearby hillock, concealed from the road, talked into the night sitting by the fire, but soon decided they needed more rest and rolled into their sleeping blankets and soon fell asleep. But they all woke early, busying themselves with minor preparations. Geth'n was aware the other two were also experiencing these awakenings and wondering what lay ahead. Everyone was edgy, excited to be back on the road.
When they awoke, the morning was chilled, mist hanging beneath the trees. They finished packing their belongings and moved slowly out near the road.
Anisah had previously told them about her misfortunes with Sumt'r, and the boys had, of course, their own contact with such men, so none of them desired to repeat those incidences. They had decided to travel only during the day.
Pet'r went onto the open road first, looked both ways, and motioned to his friends it was safe to come out of the forest.
They stood silently for a while; not wanting to talk about what was going to happen.
Then Anisah, on an impulse, went to Pet'r and clasped him to her tightly. Tears stood in her eyes, but she refused to cry.
"I believe I know why you are doing this," she told him softly, looking up at him through her tousled red hair, "but somehow that doesn't make it any easier."
"It is something we must do," Geth'n mentioned, looking at the sun rising to deliberately avoiding looking into the faces of the other two.
The air seemed stilled by their apprehension. Anisah stepped away from Pet'r finally, touching his hand as she did. Then Geth'n and she stood back a bit, not happy knowing Pet'r actually was going to leave them.
"But, my friends, couldn't you wish me luck?" Pet'r asked, feeling torn between staying with his friends, for Anisah now was a part of them, and not being able to resist the urge he couldn't explain to go.
"I have been wanting to do this all my life and now is the time. And now we all know this is necessary. Besides, I can take care of myself," he added, for Anisah more than Geth'n.
"You take care, old friend," Geth'n said softly, shaking Pet'r's hand for a longer time than usual.
"Yes, you idiot, please take care," Anisah spoke, her irritation showing. Then she began to cry softly, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "You come back to us or I'll . . ."
She couldn't finish what she wanted to say but instead grabbed Pet'r around his waist, reached and kissed him solidly on the mouth.
Pet'r taken by surprise, staggered backwards and they almost fell before he regained his balance, catching Anisah and holding her close so she wouldn't fall too.
"I will," Pet'r answered, "and it shouldn't be too long. If you two haven't heard from me before Asiphis rises full again, you can come looking for me, " he laughed lightly , but he felt his request was wise and reasonable.
He had no idea what the next few weeks were going to bring, and he wanted to give them a time they all could anticipate.
Only then did Pet'r step back, releasing Anisah and raised his pack from the ground, swinging it over his shoulders. He smiled at the other two and turned away. He walked toward the north, leaving his companions to watch him go.
When he arrived at the top of the first rise, Pet'r turned and waved to his two friends. He knew he was going to miss Geth’n; they were together since their youth.
Anisah was another story. There was a sense of sadness when he sat and talked to her, a feeling he was uncertain of. She seemed distressed and saddened by his urge to travel by himself and he thought there was more.
He turned back to the long road stretching into some low hills in the distance, shifted the pack on his back, and strode along the road.