Chapter 22

The fresh air of the mountains is so soothing. We made it to the mountains in record time. Myriani's guards led the way for most of the way and then Myriani told them to head back home and watch over the village. If one evil person can enter the forest, another could enter at anytime. Myriani wants to see to it that the village will not be harmed.

The mountain air always calms me down. My father met my mother while travelling in the mountains. Why she was out in the mountains, I will never know, but I must have the same thoughts about the mountains as my mother did. I wish I knew my mother more. The thought brings tears to my eyes and I struggle to hold them back. Why do I need to cry now? I got out all my frustrations and sadness when I fought Fiore. Guess I still have suppressed feelings that can't be thrown away so easily.

Nothing about my past matters now. What matters now is that we are getting closer to the Ice Castle and I'm with my friends. My past doesn't matter anymore. Nefal being my father hasn't changed me in any way. I'm still the same person I was before I found out he's my father. Nothing will ever change me and nothing will separate me from my friends.

"We should be getting to the Moonlit Path soon." Myriani says breaking into my thoughts, "It won't be long until I find the flower my mother loved. I'll lay it on her grave here in the mountains."

"I never asked why your mother is buried in the mountains and not the forest." I tell her, "Why is that?"

"Mother was always fond of the mountains." She explains, "Fact is, that she was a descendant of an extinct tribe of mountain elves that lived in the Moonlit Garden. I'm at home here as I am in the forest. She's buried along the path heading down the mountain."

"That's great!" I exclaim, "that means we can see your mother's grave and not have to deter from the path."

"Yeah." Thoron enters the conversation, "I don't trust the mountains though."

"Why's that?" Myriani asks, "These mountains are sacred to the elves and have been protected ever since the elves came into existence. They are the safest in the country."

"Not exactly." Thoron says coldly, "Refugees from the war were sent here for refuge and protection. That was years ago and I'm afraid that the refugees may have gone back to their survival instincts. Barbaric I mean. I don't want to stay here long and I've heard that these mountains aren't as safe as you claim."

"I've heard about that." I start thinking, "Merchants passing through here have never made it through."

"It doesn't matter!" Myriani turns to us with fury in her eyes, "Barbarians or not, we are still going to my mother's grave and we are still going through the mountains!"

"I'm sorry Myriani." Thoron bows to her, "Forgive me for bringing that topic up."

"All is forgiven." Myriani knocks Thoron in the head.

I forget that Myriani is still a child in her people. Even if she's thousands of years old, she's still considered a child. I smile at her playfulness and follow a bounding Myriani up the path.