A Path Toward Home (The Annals of Avonea) (3 page)

“You mean you’re lost?” Drinian asked.

“No, well yes ... I don't know. I need to get home now. My uncle must be very worried!”

“Where is it that you live?”

“It’s not here or anywhere close!” Constance exclaimed as peculiar looks crossed Drinian and Woodphere’s faces.

“Are you sure you’re feeling well, maybe you should sit down,” Drinian said to Constance.

“No, I'm fine – I’m not from here, I'm from Saltwater, Canada!” Constance said trying to make Drinian understand.

“What, Canada?” Woodphere asked getting off his horse and walking up to Constance.

“Woodphere, what is the matter?” Drinian asked.

“I am fine, Your Majesty. Constance, are you saying that you are from the other world, which is called earth?”

“Yes! And I need to find my way back! Do you know how to get there?”

“Not from memory, but if we take you to Moolow, he will know.”

“Thank goodness! When can we leave, and how long will it take to get to this person you call Moolow?”

“A good six day trip,” Woodphere replied rubbing his chin.

“Six days?” Constance asked sighing.

“Would you rather return to your world or stay here? These are your only options,” Woodphere replied. Constance put her head down in deep thought. How would her uncle cope with her being away so long?

Soon Drinian motioned for Woodphere to meet him over by Drinian's horse. The two men walked behind the horse and started whispering.

“Woodphere, are you saying that Constance is from the other world?” Drinian asked.

“Indeed,” Woodphere replied.

“But how did she get here?”

“I presume the same way Kathryn did.”

“Kathryn?”

“Yes, your nurse when you were a child, you do remember her don't you?”

Drinian stared off into the distant, remembering his childhood.

“I do faintly remember her Woodphere. She seemed like a mother and, I hated it when she left,” Drinian finally said.

“I know Your Majesty, so did I,” Woodphere replied.

Meanwhile Constance waited while Prince Drinian and Woodphere finished their conversation.

“I'm sorry we kept you waiting,” Drinian said as he walked toward Constance.

“His Majesty has decided that he wants to leave at dinner, if you still want to take the trip, Miss Jones,” Woodphere said getting on his horse. 

“That suits me fine,” Constance replied.

“Let us first, return to the cabin, and stock up on food and supplies for our journey. Constance you may ride my horse Dutch,” Drinian said leading Dutch over to Constance.

 Constance beamed as she remembered Uncle Blake calling her “Dutch”.

“I can walk, I enjoy walking,” Constance replied.

“I insist that you ride my horse for you have walked nearly two miles.”

“Well alright, but I've never ridden a horse before,” Constance whispered.

“Don't worry, it’s like walking once you learn you never forget, and I'll be right behind you.”

Drinian helped her onto the horse, and jumping on behind using his heels he nudged Dutch forward. Constance thoroughly enjoyed the ride back to the cottage while listening to Drinian and Woodphere's conversation.

“Woodphere, I think I shall meet with the Kallies on the way to Moolow.”

“That is a wise decision, Your Majesty,” Woodphere replied.

“Is that alright with you, Constance,” Drinian asked.

“Of course, Your Majesty, I mean, Drinian. But, who are the Kallies?”

“The Kallies are a group of immigrants from the land of Kallonia. They recently have moved here and the Molters are doing everything they can to influence them. That is why I have to maintain their trust to be king.”

“Who is the king now?” Constance asked.

“No one, at least not until I am king. You see, I am only nine and ten and you must be one and twenty to be king. That is why my advisers are ruling together until I am King,” Drinian replied.

For the remained of the ride Constance relaxed, enjoying the fresh air and signs of nature about her. “Here we are,” Prince Drinian said once they arrived at the cabin. He dismounted and helped Constance climb down.

“Thank you,”

“Land of mercy, there you are Constance! I've been worried sick!”

“I'm sorry, Elaine. I should have left a note before I went for a walk.”

“Don't worry Elaine she's perfectly fine,” Drinian replied.

“Your Majesty! You’re early! I wasn't expecting you ‘till tonight?”

“We decided to return early, and it is a good thing we did or Constance may not be standing in front of you,” Drinian said.

“What do you ever mean?” Elaine asked.

“I happened to come along, when Constance was standing only 50 feet from a Molter. Thank goodness his back was turned to her.”

“Oh, my! Well come in, and tell me the whole story. I’ll put a kettle of hot tea on the stove.”

As they went in, they all made themselves comfortable while sipping hot tea and telling of the incident in the woods with the Molter. Constance had never met such kind people in her life.

“So Constance, exactly how did you get here?” Drinian asked in an inquisitive voice.

“I know this sounds crazy, but I was on my uncle’s swing. It must be magic.”

“Actually no, it isn’t. There was another woman who came here, and said that she came by a magic swing as well.” Woodphere replied.

“It must have been my mother!”

“Your mother was the young woman who came to Avonea?” Woodphere asked his eyes getting big.

“She must have been! I saw a picture of my mother in Drinian's room. Please forgive me for snooping,” Constance replied apologetically.

“That is quite alright. So you mean to say that my nurse was your mother?”

“Yes! Her name was Kathryn.”

“That explains everything! I knew Constance, that you looked so familiar to me, you look like your mother,” Woodphere said smiling.

“Thank you, Woodphere; you don't know how much that means to me. How long did my mother stay in Avonea?”

“For a year at least,” Woodphere replied.

“A year?”

“Woodphere, I hate to interrupt, but we have to figure out what map we are taking to Moolow,” Drinian said standing up.

Yes, you’re right, Your Majesty, let me go get the maps out of my bed chambers.”

Soon Woodphere returned to the living room with a bundle of maps, and laid them in front of Drinian on the table.

“Now, which route would you like to take, Your Majesty?”

“Whichever one that goes by the Kallies village,” Drinian replied.

“There are two routes- we can go by east or north,” Woodphere replied spreading the two maps in front of Drinian.

“Which route is the safest?”

“Your Majesty, I have never seen you walk away from adventure?”

“I wouldn’t mind the adventure but we do have a lady along.”

“They are both risky. If we take the east route, it is commonly known for the dark swamp that is full of mosquitoes, snakes, quicksand, and a ghastly smell.” Woodphere muttered raising his eyebrows.

“Let’s not take that route.” 

“On the north route, we'll have to cross over the swinging bridge with a two hundred foot drop and there’s always a nasty wind that blows, making the bridge sway,” Woodphere said playfully, seeing Drinian's eyes get bigger and bigger.

There was silence for several seconds, until Drinian came to a conclusion.

“Let us take the eastern route.”

“I thought as much, Your Majesty.”

“Constance dear, would you like to help me pack food for the journey?” Elaine asked.

“I would be delighted to help.” 

“Prince Drinian is very handsome don't you think?” Elaine whispered to Constance as she put in a few berries.

“All the girls in the kingdom find him very delightful.”

“I suppose that is why you called me, for there is little to put into the basket. I shall tell you now that there is no need to play matchmaker, for I will be back at my uncle’s by the end of the week,” Constance replied.

“Don't you find him a little agreeable?”

“He is very handsome,” Constance whispered back.

“Elaine, are you going to join us on are journey?” Drinian asked looking up from the map.

“You must be jesting, Your Majesty!” “I would never enter the dark woods or the swamps!” Elaine gasped as she put the last apple in the satchel.

“Suit yourself Elaine, but we must be going while the temperature is still agreeable,” Drinian replied.

“Your timing is perfect, Your Majesty. Constance and I have finished packing enough food for your journey.”

“What have you packed for us?” Woodphere asked.

“Fresh berries, fresh picked vegetables, some dried beef and bacon, a tin full of milk, and a batch of raspberry cookies.” Elaine finished.

“Thank you Elaine, that sounds very tasty.” Drinian commented. “Now we must be off, do you have all of your belongings, Constance?” 

“I didn’t bring any belongings with me, besides my dress of course.”

“Good, that means less weight to bring along.” Woodphere said, and with that Woodphere went outside, and saddled up the horses.

“Goodbye Elaine, it was a pleasure meeting you!”

“I’m so glad to have made your acquaintance, Constance.”  “Make sure those boys stop whenever you need a break.”

“I will,” Constance replied, giving Elaine a hug and moving on toward the horses.

Elaine moved toward Drinian. “Now please, don't get into any trouble! Remember you are to be king one day. Don't go and get yourself killed!”

“I’ll be careful,” Drinian replied, as they climbed aboard their horses and waved farewell.

The Journey

They had been traveling for two hours in excruciating heat. Constance could feel beads of sweat dripping down her face, and the humidity was so unbearable that she could hardly breathe.

“Is it usually this hot?” Constance asked, pulling her hair back from her face.

“Yes, but you get used to it,” Prince Drinian replied.

“I don't think I will.” Constance sighed.

“Your Majesty, shall we take a rest? Luke is looking rather dry and tired,” Woodphere said, wiping his forehead with a dry rag.

“Yes, Woodphere, Arctic is looking weary too,” Drinian replied, stopping his horse and getting off.

Drinian and Woodphere both stretched and were inspecting their maps when Drinian noticed that Constance was still sitting on Dutch.

“I'm going down to the creek to fetch some water for our canteens,” Woodphere said, walking toward the creek.

“Alright, Woodphere. Constance, don't you wish to get off your horse?” Drinian asked walking up to Constance’s horse.

“Actually, I think I'll stay up here.”

“Is it because you want to remain sitting or rather you’re too stiff to move?”

Constance sighed, “I'm afraid it's the latter.”

“Don't worry you'll get used to the saddle within a day’s time. Would you like some assistance?”

“No, I can do it myself!” Constance replied, with determination in her voice.

Drinian stood respectively watching as Constance struggled to dismount. When her foot tangled in the stirrup, she tumbled to the ground as Drinian erupted into a burst of laughter. Constance quickly stood up, and brushed the leaves from her dress.

“And what is so funny?!” Constance asked, walking stiffly up to Drinian.

“I am sorry, I should not be laughing,” Drinian said trying to keep a sober expression.

“Do you mean it?”

“Yes,” Drinian replied smiling widely.

“What is so funny?” Woodphere asked after returning from getting water at the creek.

“Let's say that I'm pretty stiff and sore,” Constance replied walking painfully over to a fallen log, and sitting down.

“Constance, shouldn’t you stand rather than sit?” Drinian asked rubbing his head.

“I think I'd rather sit on something that isn't moving.”

Drinian smiled as Woodphere handed him the canteen of fresh creek water.

“You’re drinking creek water?!” Constance gasped.

“Yes, it is very refreshing,” Drinian replied.

“But doesn’t your creek have frogs and algae?”

“No, our creeks rise up from the ground as fresh water springs.”  Woodphere said.

“Really, that is very interesting; I'll have to tell my uncle about that.”

“Your Majesty, we should really discuss the map, I have a few things I have to discuss with you.” Woodphere said spreading the map on a large flat rock.

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

The sun was going down in the west by the time they had traveled six miles.

“Woodphere, we must stop for the evening,” Drinian sighed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Constance, are you getting used to the saddle?” Drinian asked, while he got off his horse.

“Yes, and I’m sure I’ll have no problem dismounting!”

“It is starting to get cool, let's start a fire, Your Majesty,” Woodphere shivered, as he got off his horse.

“Indeed, I will assist you,” Drinian replied. “Will you be alright by yourself, while we go to look for wood?”

“I should be fine,” Constance replied, getting off her horse as well.

“Here, take my bow and arrows. We will be within shouting distance, if you need us,” Drinian said taking his bow and arrows from his satchel.

“Are you sure you won't need them?” Constance asked.

“No, I have my dagger and sword and Woodphere has his bow and arrows and sword. We should return within ten minutes.”

“Alright, be careful,” Constance replied looking into Drinian's dark brown eyes.

“Your Majesty, are you coming?” Woodphere asked.

“Yes, Woodphere,” Drinian murmured as he walked toward Woodphere.

“I'd say Your Majesty, Constance is quite beautiful,” Woodphere whispered as they walked alone in the woods.

“I had hardly noticed,” Drinian replied blushing as a smirk crossed Woodphere’s face

Constance began to lay out bed rolls and set up camp. Her thoughts were on her uncle and how worried he must be. She eased herself down on her bed roll and stared up at the gorgeous evening sky of pink and lavender peeking through the trees.

Woodphere and Drinian had not returned and Constance, becoming restless, glanced curiously at the bow and arrows lying on the ground. She picked up the bow, grabbed an arrow and strenuously pulled as she aimed for an oak tree sixty feet away. She took a deep breath and let go. The arrow smacked into the tree, and fragments of bark floated to the ground as Constance gave a sigh of contentment.