The Reverie - Part 2

A door closing jolted Abby awake. She groaned at her aching muscles and rubbed her sleepy eyes before realizing she was sitting against the headboard with the stolen book in her lap. She must have dozed off while reading. Her brown hair was a mess, and her back was sore.

The sound of footsteps in the hall outside her door jolted her into action. She knew the trouble she’d be in if she were caught with the old book. She stuffed it under the mattress and jumped beneath the covers of the bed, where Ben was still sleeping. Her eyes stayed shut as her door creaked open and then closed.

Ben rolled over and stretched his arms in a dramatic yawn, accidentally smacking Abby in the face.

“Ouch!” She shoved him off playfully. “You did that on purpose.” She tickled him until he laughed so hard he fell off the bed. “Come on. You can get in the bathroom before me if you want.”

Her little brother slipped on his glasses and smiled, then trotted down the hall. Abby’s thoughts swirled with the story she had read last night.

It was when she looked at herself in the mirror that her breath caught. A tiny fleck of gold shone in each of her hazel eyes. She squeezed them shut before opening them again, breathing a sigh of relief when the shimmer disappeared.

Was she imagining it? Maybe the lack of sleep was playing tricks on her mind, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing inside her, something brought about by the book. She just didn’t know what.

Throughout breakfast, she was distracted by the nagging feeling that she needed to read what happened next.

When Danielle suggested they drive into the city with Caleb while he ran an errand, Abby pretended to be excited about the idea. She would much rather have spent the whole day reading, but she knew that wasn’t an option.

The street lined with little shops was quaint and old, like a part of the city forgotten in another time. Abby inhaled the scent of a food truck parked at the corner, its patrons lined up to order. There were shops selling antiques and clothing, with a small, odd hardware store sandwiched in between. But it was the shop at the corner that immediately drew her attention.

Books.

“Can we go in there?” Her eyes were bright with curiosity.

Caleb motioned toward the hardware store. “I’ll be there. Dani can take you wherever you want.”

Abby stared after him, wondering if she’d said something wrong. Maybe he didn’t like bookstores or books. Maybe he was the one who had hidden the old book in the attic. Some people hated stories.

What a horrible thought.

“Don’t mind him.” Danielle put an arm around Abby’s shoulders and gave a squeeze. “He’s just having a tough day.”

Abby forced a smile and tried to brush away her worries. Her thoughts shifted when they stepped into the bookstore, a bell dangling loosely above the door ringing as they entered.

Sunlight poured into the shop through windows on both sides of the corner store, yet it still felt a bit cramped inside. The smell of old books and dust tickled her nose, stirring up a sneeze.

“Don’t sneeze on the books!” A sour-faced old man glared at her from behind a tall counter in the center of the store.

Danielle laughed. “It’s from all the dust.” When the man continued to glare, Danielle swallowed awkwardly. “Do you have any children’s books?”

The man pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Back wall.”

“Right, thanks.” Danielle ushered Ben around the counter to the back of the store.

Abby trailed after them slowly, her eyes scanning the covers of books stacked in uneven piles around the counter.

“Nobody likes a thief.” The old man’s bushy eyebrows scrunched in irritation.

Abby looked up in surprise. “I’m not a thief.”

“You’ve never taken something that didn’t belong to you?”

“No.” She raised her chin. “Only borrowed but never stole.”

“Ha! And how do I know you won’t borrow one of my books?”

Abby grew flustered by the accusation. “I would never! I don’t even need any of your books; I have my own.”

The old man’s eyes narrowed. “Well, when you’re done with them, you’ll be looking for another.”

“No, I won’t. One of them doesn’t end.”

“What’s it called, this book?”

Abby pushed a few loose strands of hair from her face. “I don’t have to tell you that.”

The man grunted and watched her closely as she walked away to find the others.

Ordinarily, Abby would have found herself lost among the shelves of leather-bound books, wishing she had the money to buy whichever title caught her eye. But the strange words of the old man made her uneasy, as he had been watching her in the attic when she’d taken the book and hidden it under her mattress.

And what about Valora?

She was itching to return to the story, to find out how the girl was faring on her journey. She had to know what happened next.

Danielle’s hand squeezed her shoulder lightly. “Find anything you like?”

Abby smiled and shook her head. “No. Maybe another time.”

Danielle returned her smile and shrugged. “We can always come back another day and see if they have anything new.”

“I would like that.” Though the old man in the store was odd, the thought of finding another book to treasure filled her heart with joy.

“How about some ice cream? I saw a food truck out there.” Danielle grinned.

“Yeah!” Ben’s outburst made them both giggle.

Once they had gotten the ice cream flavors of their choosing, they made their way into the tool shop. Abby happily licked her chocolate-and-vanilla swirl cone while Ben trailed behind with his vanilla and sprinkles. She should have noticed he wasn’t right behind her; she should have paid more attention. But it was only when she heard a shout that she turned to see he was gone.

Panic shot through her as she darted back around the corner and saw her little brother being held by the collar by a teenager twice his size. His ice cream lay splattered on the floor, while Ben’s wide eyes filled with terror.

“Hey! Get your hands off my brother!”

The teen glanced at her and smirked. “What are you gonna do about it, princess?”

“I said, let go!” She shoved his arm as hard as she could, but the boy didn’t budge.

“Your kid brother got ice cream on the merchandise. He needs to pay up or get out.” He shook Ben and laughed when her brother’s glasses slipped down his nose.

Abby didn’t know what got hold of her, but the next moment she smashed her ice cream cone straight into the teenager’s face. His hand released Ben’s shirt as he shouted in anger.

Abby had only grabbed her brother’s arm and pulled him protectively behind her when she felt a fist crash against her temple with such force that her body was flung to the ground.

Her head pounded and her vision blurred, but she vaguely remembered hearing shouts all around her, along with hurried footsteps and movement. Her body was lifted from the ground, and she stood swaying, staring into the horrified face of Danielle. Was Caleb shouting at someone in the background? She didn’t know. Where was Ben? Her ears were ringing too much to make out the words spilling from Danielle’s mouth.

She felt Danielle’s arm wrap around her shoulders and let herself be guided outside to the car. Ben’s hand slipped into hers, and when she looked down at him, tears streaked his face.

The car ride home was quiet, Danielle glancing over her shoulder at them in worry. Abby’s heart felt like a weight in her chest. The sniffles coming from Ben showed he felt the same way. They would be sent away again. They had finally found a home they liked, and now it was ruined. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t their fault.

No one liked kids who created a scene.

Caleb didn’t say anything for the entire ride home, or even as they walked into the house. His tall frame disappeared down the hall to the kitchen, where Danielle ushered them in behind him.

Abby braced herself for a scolding when Caleb turned around, but blinked in surprise when he gently held a frozen bag of peas to her temple.

“Hold this. It will help with the swelling.” He stepped back when she replaced his hand with hers. “What happened back there?”

Abby swallowed nervously. “He was threatening Ben. I was trying to get him to let go, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Caleb folded his arms over his chest. “So, you smashed ice cream in his face.”

“Yeah.”

He nodded. “He was a lot bigger than you.”

“Most people are a lot bigger than me.”

Abby watched the man leave the kitchen without another word, but she could’ve sworn his lips twitched as he did.

They didn’t get in trouble like Abby had thought they would. Danielle hugged them and dried their tears, giving them nothing but kindness and care. Caleb walked outside to the side garden, pacing back and forth while having a heated discussion on the phone.

Abby could only assume he was speaking with Mrs. Emmett, telling her Abby was attracting too much attention. That’s what always happened. Whenever she saw bullies attack her little brother, she couldn’t help but defend him. He was her brother.

When their dad passed away as a Haliden soldier sent on a dangerous mission to the Isle of Chaos, their mom had tried to keep them strong. Sickness claimed her only two years later, leaving Ben and Abby alone. No relatives were interested. Their mother had told them to stay together, that everything would be alright.

But it wasn’t.

When the house had gone silent and dark, Abby’s eyes darted over to Ben to make sure he was sound asleep. She needed to escape to slip somewhere without the worries that weighed so heavily on her shoulders.

Finish the story.

She could escape into another world, if only for a moment.

Her fingers found the leather cover beneath her mattress. She pulled it out and hurriedly flipped to the pages she was searching for.

II.

Shadow of the Mountain

The thunder of Spiri’s gallop across the tall grass was a comforting rhythm in Valora’s chest as they sped across the meadows of Galien’s people. There were sightings of giant stags in the distance, though Valora hoped they would not have to face one up close. The beautiful creatures were formidable enough from afar.

The long grass swayed in the wind, reminding Valora of home. She wondered if she’d see it soon or if the mission the queen had sent her on was impossible to accomplish.

But the warrior Galien had achieved something seemingly impossible as well, if the legend was true. Maybe he would be able to guide her on her quest.

When Valora saw small puffs of smoke in the distance, excitement rose in her chest. It had to be the people she was searching for, the people of Midmeadow. The smoke would be coming from the bonfires lit within their community, to prepare food and to ward off the beasts of the plains that roamed when night claimed the sky.

Spiri came to a stop at the edge of the bonfires, allowing Valora to slide to the ground and face the curious onlookers. Unsure how her presence would be received, she wiped her palms on the sides of her pants and approached an older woman.

She bowed her head respectfully. “Greetings, village mother. I come on an errand of the queen to find the warrior Galien.”

The people murmured behind the old woman as the crowd grew.

“I’m afraid Galien is not here.” The dark eyes of the woman sparked with interest. “You are welcome to stay with us until the morning light rises, young one. You will be safe among our people, and your horse will be fed and cared for. Tomorrow, I will tell you which direction he has gone.”

The crackling fires and soft chatter of the people were a comfort to Valora. The village was filled with grassy-roofed huts of all sizes, scattered around the largest one, which appeared to be a meeting place of some sort. The old woman welcomed Valora to stay in her home for the night, a most generous offer. Grateful to be among such welcoming people, Valora drifted to sleep easily and dreamed of the sweet smell of the water beyond the Meer Cliffs. She stirred only once during the night, when the howls of a creature echoed in the distance. If Spiri had not brought her to the people so quickly, she hated to think what she might have faced in the dark.

Valora rose with the first rays of dawn, eager to continue her mission. The old woman smiled and motioned for her to sit and eat a steaming plate of food before speaking of Galien. Valora knew better than to refuse a meal from a village mother, so she accepted graciously and ate her fill.

“Come now, child. I will show you which way Galien has gone.” The woman’s wrinkled hand motioned for Valora to follow as she walked slowly to the edge of the community. She pointed toward the line of clouds in the distance. “Hidden Mountain. The clouds hang low around it.” The old woman nodded. “You must find the path at the base of the mountain. You will find him there.”

After Valora thanked the kind woman, she found Spiri waiting a few steps away and leapt onto her back. The young girl touched her heart and raised her hand to the villagers, bidding them farewell in the manner of the Swiftguards.

The distance to the mountain beyond the clouds was great, but Spiri’s magnificent speed cut the journey to mere hours even without the moon raised in the sky.

Valora rode closer to the clouds, hoping the mountain would appear soon so she could find the path the old woman had spoken of. Goosebumps rose along her arms at the cool touch of the breeze spilling from the clouds. Her eyes widened when she noticed the mist swelling outward toward her and Spiri, as if reaching to swallow them whole. Clutching Spiri’s mane tighter, she braced herself and held her breath as they entered the thick veil.

The clouds surrounded them like blankets, shrouding everything in sight. An eerie stillness fell over the place, as though the mist itself had silenced every living creature.

Valora’s eyes strained to see anything in the mass of white while Spiri slowed to a cautious trot. The Moon Mare’s ears twitched back and forth, listening for any sign of danger lurking nearby.

Something dark loomed ahead, slowly coming into view as they approached. The mist parted slightly at the base of the tall mountain, just enough for her to see the entrance of a rocky path.

Spiri shook her head and kicked dirt back with her hoof. Valora slid down from the mare and rubbed her nose.

“It’s alright, Spiri. I’ll walk ahead to make sure the path is safe for you.”

The beautiful horse nuzzled Valora affectionately and followed as the young girl led the way up the dirt path winding around the mountain.

The higher they climbed, the cover of clouds fell away behind them, along with the base of the mountain. It was a relief to see her surroundings clearly, though Valora felt more nervous without the mist than she expected. The skin on the back of her neck prickled, and the temperature dropped so suddenly that she could see her breath.

Something is watching.

Her eyes darted around, but she found nothing.

Maybe she was paranoid.

“Trust your instincts,” Cadoc always said.

Valora urged Spiri to move faster, trying to put distance between them and whatever presence made her uneasy. The path widened, revealing clusters of trees and brush jutting from one side, while the cliff’s edge dropped away on the other.

Something moved quickly in the bushes, drawing Valora’s attention.

“We’re not alone, Spiri.” The young girl grabbed a heavy branch from the ground and watched the brush cautiously.

The Moon Mare flicked her tail nervously and stepped forward, while Valora held the branch at the ready, walking backward after Spiri. Cadoc always said it was important not to turn your back on a predator.

Pebbles slid down the rock face behind Valora, startling her into whirling around. The young girl realized her mistake too late. She was knocked off her feet and slammed to the ground on her stomach before she had a moment to react. Spiri reared on her hind legs and bolted farther up the mountain, neighing loudly.

Valora tried to push herself up before she felt the sharp pain of teeth sinking into her leg. She cried out as she was dragged toward the cliff’s edge. Having lost the branch when she hit the ground, she reached out desperately for anything she could use as a weapon. Her fingers closed around a large rock while dust filled her eyes. She felt her body flip around to face her attacker and didn’t hesitate to swing the rock with all her might.

A growl filled the air when the stone hit its mark, but Valora had no time to celebrate. She scrambled to her feet and tried to run before a mass of blackness slammed into her side, launching her over the cliff. A scream tore from her throat as she grabbed for anything to stop her fall. When her hands found a tangle of tree roots, she clung to them, praying they were strong enough to bear her weight.

Dangling in the air, she held her breath when she heard the creature moving somewhere above her.

What had attacked her?

The thing had been so fast she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of it, only a blur of black and a horrible growl she was sure she’d hear again in her nightmares.

Clinging to the roots, her arms trembled, but she held fast until silence fell above. She wasn’t certain the beast had gone, but if she stayed where she was, her strength would give out, and she would plunge to her death.

She had to move.

Her hand reached for another root closer to the mountainside, and slowly she inched her way toward the rocks. She grunted in pain when her palm met a sharp edge, but swallowed back the tears and reached for a higher ledge. Her grip slipped—then an arm seized hers, firm.

Her breath caught, and she looked up to see the smiling face of a boy slightly older than herself.

“I believe you could use some help. My name is Galien, and I assure you, I was not the one to push you.”

Valora exhaled in relief. “Galien!”

“One and the same. Now hold on tight, we have to get you up before whatever hurt you comes back.”

Relief flooded through her as she felt solid ground beneath her feet once more. She grimaced when she tried to take a step, and pain surged through her leg.

“That’s a nasty bite.” Galien’s eyes landed on the wound. “I know someone who can help.”

He helped Valora mount his horse and quickly set off to find aid. Though the young girl searched the mountainside, she saw no sign of Spiri. It seemed the presence of whatever had attacked her had frightened the Moon Mare away.

Valora could not blame her friend for running. The creature had been terrifying, even if she hadn’t seen its face. She only hoped the mare was somewhere safe—and that one day she might see her again.

Galien guided his white horse farther up the mountain, much to Valora’s surprise when they rounded a winding path, a large entrance yawned before them.

Valora’s eyes widened. “What is this place?”

“The Light Caverns.”

Valora swallowed. “I don’t see any light coming from in there.”

Galien laughed. “You’ll have to trust me, little Swiftguard. Trust me—and don’t let go. This is no place to get lost.”

Valora’s arms wrapped around the warrior as they entered the darkness of the mountain. She was certain she heard whispering from somewhere deep within once they disappeared into the blackness, but she didn’t dare voice her fears. She didn’t need another reason to feel foolish around the legendary warrior.

Cool air drifted through the caverns, loosening bits of gravel and rock on the dirt floor.

When Valora dared to look up, she noticed eyes staring back from the cavern ceiling. She gasped and shut her eyes tightly, leaning against Galien’s back.

The warrior chuckled. “They won’t harm you,” he whispered.

Valora was glad he couldn’t see her face burning with embarrassment. Some Swiftguard she was turning out to be. If the queen could see her now, she’d surely regret sending her on this mission.

The young girl straightened her back and tried to push down her fear. “How do you know this place?” she asked softly, careful not to disturb any unseen creatures.

“I’ve been here many times. This is a place where you can find doorways to different parts of Asherath. If you know which door to take, you can go anywhere.”

“To anywhere?” Valora thought of all the places she would never wish to go. “What if you open a door to a truly terrible place?”

Galien smiled over his shoulder. “That’s why I said this is no place to get lost. The doors to terrible places are much easier to find than the others.”

“Does any door go to the human realm?”

“I wish. No such door has ever been found here, and I’ve opened almost every one of them. Most are guarded by creatures on the other side.”

Valora shuddered at the thought, silently grateful to have found Galien. She only hoped the beast that had attacked her would not be able to follow.

They moved deeper into the mountain so deeply that Valora wondered if she would ever see the sky again until a faint green glow appeared ahead.

Her eyes widened in awe as they entered a vast chamber where the walls and ceiling glittered with emerald flecks of light. The glow shimmered across the stone floor like liquid magic.

From the illuminated caverns came the sight of countless doors—set into walls, carved into boulders, and framed by the glowing rock. Some were so tall a giant could pass through them, while others were small enough for a gnome or a dwarf.

There are so many…

Valora could only hope Galien knew what he was doing. Otherwise, they were bound to end up in the Isle of Chaos or worse.

The warrior led them confidently to a great door large enough for them to pass through on horseback. Even more curious, the door opened on its own and closed silently behind them, vanishing without a trace.

The sweet scent of flowers filled the air as cherry blossom petals drifted from the trees around them. Valora’s mouth fell open as she looked around at the endless rows of pink trees swaying in a gentle breeze.

“Amazing,” the young girl murmured.

Galien smiled. “Welcome to the Lyrica Forest.”

The beautiful white horse they rode walked with familiarity through the trees, stopping only when a majestic tree, as wide as a house, came into view. Its bark shimmered white and brown, and long, spindly branches unfurled like an umbrella. White and pink petals rained down, blanketing the ground like clouds.

Soft melodies drifted through the air, weaving between the treetops as if carried by the wind.

Valora paused to listen after dismounting the horse. “What is that?”

A door burst open in the great tree, and an old gnome woman hobbled out. “It’s the song of the forest, of course! Everyone knows that.” She clucked her tongue in disappointment.

“Oh!” Valora squeaked when the old woman grabbed her leg to examine the wound.

“Nasty bite… very nasty indeed. Need to treat that before it gets infected.” The old gnome straightened and squinted at Galien. “We’ll do it for a red-petaled flower.”

Galien shook his head. “I have none of those.”

“Hmph.” She crossed her arms. “What about a blue-shelled snail?”

“None of those either, I’m afraid.”

“Emerald feather?”

Galien shook his head.

“Yellow-freckled toad?”

“Nope.”

The gnome woman scratched the top of her head and sighed. “Well, what do you have, child?”

Galien dug into his pocket and held out a tiny object.

The old woman stared at it, unimpressed. “A button? You brought us a button?”

Valora watched uncertainly, thinking the woman wouldn’t care for such a silly item.

Galien answered, “A purple button.”

“A purple button!” The gnome snatched it and held it up proudly. “Alright, we’ll do it. Come inside, come inside. Hurry now, don’t dawdle!”

Galien grinned at Valora and helped her into the magnificent tree, though they had to crouch to fit.

“Sit, sit, sit!” The woman pulled out a tiny chair with a matching stool. “That’s right, right here! And put your leg up on the stool!”

Valora did as ordered, thinking the tiny woman might just clop her over the head with a spoon if she dared disobey.

“The name is Hildy, in case you were about to ask. I’m sure you were, as anyone with manners would be,” Hildy said quickly. “We’ve never seen you here before, no, we’re sure we haven’t.”

Galien smiled. “She’s a friend, Hildy.”

“Hmph. Well, what’s her name? Where’s she from? Why’s she here?” Hildy pulled pots and jars from shelves crammed with curious items. “She should’ve said. Rude not to, that’s what we think.”

Valora’s face turned a shade of red. “I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. My name is Valora.”

Hildy carried her jars and pots to sit beside her. “Keep going, keep going. Answer the questions.”

“I’m from the Arcane Valley.”

“Never heard of it,” Hildy grunted while pouring a liquid over the wound.

Valora hissed in pain. “We keep to ourselves,” she managed.

“I like it already.”

“I was summoned by the queen to find an entrance to Haliden and rescue a reverie trapped in the human realm.” It took every bit of focus for Valora to continue while her skin felt aflame. “I was told Galien might help me on my quest, but I was attacked by some beast on Hidden Mountain, and now I don’t know what’s become of Spiri…”

Galien’s brow furrowed in thought, surprise flickering at the mention of a reverie.

Hildy finished wrapping the bandage and shook her head. “Sounds like a right mess on your hands, doesn’t it? That’s what we think, a mess indeed. We don’t like messes.” The old woman skittered about the tree home, returning jars to places Valora was certain they hadn’t been before. “But we wouldn’t worry about the Moon Mare. She’ll find you when she wants to. Now up, up, up with you! The wound must heal, but you’re much too big to stay down here. So up you go.”

Valora followed Galien slowly, careful not to put too much pressure on her aching leg. When they stopped at a ladder nailed along the inside of the great tree, she bit her lip in worry. Surely they didn’t mean for her to climb those crooked boards.

Before she could voice her concern, Galien pulled two secured ropes from the wall. The ropes were fastened to a board, forming a small seat. The warrior smiled and motioned to it. “Have a seat.”

Valora eyed it warily before sitting and placing a hand on each rope. “What do I—”

Galien released a weighted bag attached to a set of winding gears. A gasp escaped Valora when she realized the ropes on her seat were connected to the same mechanism, lifting her swiftly through the air.

She laughed in surprise as wildlife scattered through the branches around her. Sunlight poured down from the treetops, filling her with excitement.

When the ropes stopped, Valora stepped onto a thick platform nestled high among the pink blossoms floating in the air.

“Oh!” she exclaimed in wonder.

Galien’s laughter came from below as he climbed up the crooked boards to join her. “Best view in the forest.”

“It’s beautiful.” Valora grinned as she looked at the colorful canopy stretching for miles. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Galien leaned against a branch, his smile fading. “Valora, I’m not sure how I can help you.”

Her bright eyes met his. “If you could tell me where to search for the entrance to Haliden or how to find the reverie, I would be so grateful.”

The warrior shook his head. “I don’t know where to find it either. If I did, I would help you. Truly.”

Valora’s face fell. “No, you must know something. The queen said to find you because you could help me.”

“I understand.”

“I’ve come so far. I don’t know where to look. Surely you could give me some idea of where to start.”

Galien couldn’t bear the pained look on the girl’s face, but he found himself at a loss. His gaze drifted over the platform where they stood, searching for any idea that might help. “Wait, I know!” He clapped a hand against the branch, eyes bright with excitement. “The Hall of Knowledge!”

“What?”

“The Hall of Knowledge. It’s a place filled with ancient texts from all over Asherath, riddles, secrets, legends… anything you can imagine. Surely there would be something there to help you find clues about the entrance to Haliden and the reverie.”

Valora blinked. “Where can I find this place?”

“In Twilight Cove. It’s a magnificent city filled with creatures from every corner of Asherath!” Galien smiled brightly.

Hope rose in Valora’s chest. Maybe she would accomplish her mission after all. “Is it very far?”

“Oh yes, hundreds of miles away,” Galien laughed.

“Well, how could we possibly get there? The queen said I didn’t have much time.”

“I know a friend who can help us get there much faster.” Galien turned and grabbed a rope draped over a spindly branch. “Your wound should be nearly healed by now.”

Valora looked at him incredulously. “We’ve only just gotten here! It’ll take days for it to heal completely.” To prove her point, she leaned down and unwound the bandage only to gasp at the sight of a fully healed leg. “Oh! How could it possibly—”

“Don’t ask Hildy how she does it. Just remember to thank her; she can hold a grudge for hundreds of years if you don’t.” He chuckled and gripped the rope with both hands. “I’ll go down first and pull the lever to get the seat for you. Sit tight and hold on.”

Before Valora could respond, he jumped through the opening and let the rope lower him gently to the ground. She hurried to the seat and waited as the ropes began to descend.

A shadow crossed the sky above the trees, drawing her attention upward. Her eyes widened like saucers, then the seat dropped swiftly, and the ground met her feet. “Galien! I saw something up there!”

The warrior laughed just as Hildy came dashing around him in circles before racing out the door. “Valora, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

The young girl followed him outside and stopped in amazement. “The golden eagle! He’s real!”

The long body of the giant bird rested gracefully beside Hildy’s tree home, its white and gold-tipped feathers shimmering in the light. The grumpiness that had marked the old gnome’s face melted into delight as she chuckled and ran her hand along the creature’s plumage.

“This is my friend, Kirro,” the warrior said proudly.

Kirro’s emerald eyes fixed on Valora, stealing her breath away. The eagle tilted his head, studying her intently, making her feel less like a guest and more like his next meal.

She cleared her throat nervously. “You don’t eat Swiftguards, do you?”

Kirro squawked in reply, while Hildy and Galien burst out laughing. Valora’s shoulders relaxed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment and relief.

“He’s here to take us to Twilight Cove if you don’t mind flying,” Galien said.

Valora’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please!”

Galien turned to Hildy. “We should get going then. Would you mind if my horse stayed with you? Kirro will bring me back as soon as he can.”

The old woman squinted.

Galien added quickly, “I’ll bring you a sapphire stone.”

“We’ll do it! We’ll take very good care of him, yes, we’re sure of it.” The woman ran circles around Galien, clapping her hands. “A sapphire stone! Make sure it sparkles; we do love a sparkle. Hurry, hurry!”

Valora smiled as Galien helped her climb onto Kirro’s back. “Thank you for everything, Hildy!”

Hildy nodded and waved. “Such a polite girl, we think.”

Valora held tightly to Galien as the golden eagle spread his wings and lifted them into the sky. Clouds swirled below their feet as they soared higher and higher. With friends as kind as these, Valora felt hope flutter in her chest that she would find the reverie in time.