7: The Journey Home

The morning sun streamed in through the vines. The birds were singing in the cool morning air. Dew was dripping off the leaves and a soft mist filled the pink morning sky. Everyone took their time packing up and getting ready for the day. The atmosphere in the cave heavy with anticipation and fear of what might be found. To give Cassia a break from carrying her sister, BoldR stayed in his bear form so Liliana could ride on his back. Liliana squealed with excitement. She buried her face in his fur and said “Weee brr” everyone giggled at her.

They exited the cave and took in their surroundings. The air was sweet and cool. There was a soft breeze shaking the dew from the leaves. The droplets looked like small crystal dropping to the ground. “Well let’s get going. Time is wasting.” Cassia took the first step. BoldR grunted in agreement and followed. The journey was quite peaceful. Time seemed to pass quickly, it wasn’t too long before they approach the hill that overlooked the village.

Cassia’s heart sank as she saw the charred remains of the place that she called home. There were rotting corpses scattered everywhere. As they ascended the hill they found bodies of the Kings soldiers and horses scattered around like they had been ambushed. Arrows were lying everywhere. Willow began running around and picking up the free arrows.” What are you doing Willow “ Cassia asked.

“Since neither of us are fletchers I figured we could use these.” As she found a couple of quivers and began filling them.

“Good idea.” Cassia commented “just don’t over load your self they can get heavy quickly “

They journeyed a bit further when they heard a horse neighing in distress. As they drew closer they saw a great black stallion lying on his side thrashing and tangled up in bramble vines. Cassia pulled her knife out and cautiously approached the animal. She spoke softly “ hey easy boy I’m here to help you. Shss shsss” the horse calmed down and laid still as Cassia went to work. In no time at all the vines had been cut and loosened. The great horse was free to stand. The beast struggled to get up due to the length of time he had been stuck on his side. Once he was standing he bowed his head and snorted. Cassia began to examine him to see if he had any infections. She noticed the tac the horse was wearing. “This has the royal insignia on it.” She petted the horses forehead. “Who do you belong to?” Cassia asked not expecting a response. The horse pawed the ground and started throwing his head to his sides. Cassia walked over and looked at the scars that were present. “What on earth?” She gently touched the marks the horse squealed from the sharp twinge of pain. “Woe steady boy, easy now didn’t mean to hurt you.” Cassia cooed softly.

“These look like spur marks, did your owner do this to you?” The horse nodded its head vigorously. Cassia stopped for a moment and looked at the animal. “Wait you can understand me and what I’m saying?” The horse nodded his head vigorously. “Willow do you have anything to treat this big fella wound with?

Willow came running over and stopped right in front of the large animal. “I think I have some salve let me check my pouch. Wait are you a …” Willow trailed off.

“Is he a what?” Cassia asked now even more intrigued.

“I think he is an Animalist” Willow replied.l

“A what!?” Cassia completely perplexed.

“An animalist. An animal with human intelligence some of them can even speak if taught. I don’t think he was ever taught. But I bet with enough conversations he will communicate just fine.” Willow smiled at the horse as she smeared the salve onto the open sores. Cassia looked at the horse.

“I bet you would like to have that saddle off wouldn’t you.?” The horse nodded its head vigorously. Cassia began to remove the saddle and bridle. Once removed the horse dropped to the ground and started to roll around on his back. He then stood up and shook off the dust. “Feel better now?” Cassia asked and the horse nodded its head again. Willow and Cassia walked back to where BoldR was waiting with Liliana. They began to make their way to the village. The large black horse followed behind them. Everywhere there were corpses of men women and children rotting in the sunlight.

“We need to bury all these people.” Willow stated with tears in her eyes. “If there were any survivors they have all scattered into the woods.”

“Or ran to the castle.” Cassia added. She walked over to BoldR and grabbed Liliana from his back.

“BoldR can you help us with the burial of all these people?” Cassia asked, her heart was heavy with grief. BoldR grunted and meandered over to where his cottage was. The fire had not touched his home so all of his belongings were still intact. Shortly after BoldR came out fully dressed in human form. He walked over to Cassia with a solemn expression.

“I think it best with all these bodies to do a funeral pier and burn the bodies. It will be more dignified for their sacrifice.” Cassia nodded her head in agreement. She and Willow started to gather up all the children. They wept at the loss of their friends and neighbors. They carried them to the village fire pit where BoldR had already piled wood and kindling. They placed them on to the pier. The children were from a werewolf family and a few wildlings. But there were no humans or vampires in the group that was found.

The large black horse was meandering around nibbling on fresh grass when he came up to the bell tower. He walked over and sniffed the two bodies holding each other. The horse snorted, shook its head and walked over to the bell’s pull rope. It pulled the rope and caused the bell to ring. Everyone’s head turned toward the sound and they made their way in that direction. When they reached the tower they saw the horse holding the rope in its mouth. It dropped the rope and walked over to the dead couple holding each other. Cassia walked over and saw who they were.

“NO! NO! GODS NO!” She screamed. BoldR came over and wrapped her in a huge hug holding her as she screamed and wailed over finding her parents.

He picked her up and carried her back to her parent’s cottage. It too had not been touched by fire. He laid her down on her bed because she cried herself to sleep from grief. BoldR came out of the cottage. “Willow take Liliana inside and stay there with Cass. I will finish up out here. We will camp here for the night. We will discuss our plans tomorrow.” He then looked at the horse. “Can you help me with this?” The horse nodded its head and walked over to an old hay wagon. “That will work.” BoldR said. They both set to work.

BoldR and the horse worked together through the day and long into the night. Men, women, children, and all were laid to rest on the wooden pier. He went through the village and gathered as much oil as possible and doused the pier with it. BoldR lit a torch and ignited the oil. A mountain of an inferno was created. “May the Gods of the new and old take you to your final resting place.” BoldR bowed his head.

That night Cassia dreamt of her parents. They hugged and kissed her. They told her that she is doing a great job and that she will make an amazing queen. They also said that she needs to keep up with her training. That they will always look out for her. She woke up in the morning to find herself laying in her parents bed. Liliana was in her bed and Willow was sleeping in Cassia’s bed. She shivered from the early morning chill. She got up from the bed and walked over to the fire place. She knelt down and started a fire in the hearth. Soon the familiar crackle sound of a fire filled the room and it warmth eased the ache of her parents absence. She went outside to fetch some water from the well. She came back inside and put a bit of water in the cauldron. She then put a bit of salt in the water and hung the cauldron over the flame. Cassia then walked over to the hutch and found some oatmeal, some eggs, and a bit of smoked salted pork. When the cauldron started to boil Cassia added the meal. She put a skillet on the hearth to heat it up she added the last of the butter. She beat the eggs, chopped the pork and added it to the pan. She stirred both items and removed them from the fire. She then made a kettle of tea. BoldR was standing at the door with in minutes sniffing the air. “My goodness girl that smells delicious.” BoldR sat down at the table. Shortly after Willow entered with Liliana. Everyone sat at the table and ate their fill. Cassia looked around the table and found much comfort in the presence of her friends. They spoke about the plans of fixing up the village in case there were any survivors found at the castle. They also decided to look for any stray farm animals if there were any.After breakfast everyone helped clean up. Cassia stepped by her parent’s bed when she heard the floor make a strange creaking sound. She leaned down and found that there’s were a few floor boards loose. She pulled at the boards and the cam up easily to reveal an ornately carved chest. “Hey everyone come look at this.” Cassia exclaimed with surprise. BoldR walked over and assisted Cassia with lifting it from its hiding place.

“What do you think it is?” Willow asked.

“ I don’t know but has the royal seal engraved on it.” BoldR replied. “So what ever it is it belonged to the king and queen.

Cassia pressed the locks and they popped open she then raised the lid to find it filled with a royal guards uniform and an elegant lady’s dress with a matching diadem.

“What are my parents doing with these things?”Cassia asked out loud hoping someone would have an answer.

“I think you will find all your answers will be at the castle.” Willow commented.

“So that settles it I guess, a trip to the castle is inevitable.” Cassia sighed. Willow volunteered to stay at the village to look after Liliana and hunt for farm animals, while Cassia, BoldR, and the horse journeyed to the castle. They bid each other good luck and went on their ways.