"We need to head straight into the treeline, directly in front of the doorway," Matti says, pointing. She pulls up the hem of her dress and strides towards a point between too tall oak trees, leading Vlaken, who walks behind. She looks back at the ancient doorway and then up at the magnificent carved statue of the Mother before staring ahead, towards their salvation.

"Are you sure it is this way?" asks Vlaken. The youths tattered clothing, showing signs of their ordeal.

"That is the way Neymar told me to go."

"Well, that is the way then. Lead on."

"Okay, so we just have to stay straight until we reach a lake. Come on," she finishes as she rushes on ahead.

"How can you run in that dress?" Vlaken says, attempting to keep up with her quickened pace.

Matti forges on, her senses almost overloading after a night in the dusty tunnels. She beams at the sight of the lush canopy above her as she skips through the gap in the treeline, of how the earthy aroma hits her full force, reminding her of home.

Home.

She stops dead, Vlaken skids to a stop, almost toppling her over as old thoughts block out her vision, taking her back to a time that feels so long ago. She lays back with her eyes closed, her arms outstretched as her fingers rustle through the long grass that surrounds her. She digs her fingers into the soft soil beneath and is hit with that familiar earthy aroma, but slightly sweetened after a night of rain. She sucks in a lungful of the sweetened air and holds it as it infuses with her very being.

"Matti," calls a voice.

"Aurora," she calls back as her eyes open. But instead of looking up at the emerald sky as she should have been, she stares at the various colours of brown tree trunks that surround her. "What? Where... Aurora?"

"Matti?" the voice calls again, but the tone is different. Matti turns to face Vlaken, his eyes wide with concern, but he smiles.

Then she remembers where she is. "Vlaken. I am sorry, I just... I was thinking of—"

"Your sister?"

"Yes," she nods. The smell of the rich soil here reminded me of home is all." She turns away from him, "Come, we need to keep moving."

"Did you want to talk about her?" Vlaken asks.

Matti stops, but doesn't turn. "I... not yet. I will... soon. But just not yet."

"I will not push it, Matti. I promise," he says softly.

"Thank you. You have a kind heart, Vlaken." Then she moves off without another word with Vlaken following close behind.

They walk in silence, the only sounds to be heard are the rustling of the leaves above their heads and the soft thud and swish as they make their way through the trees. An occasional tweet is heard but nothing else. It was as if the whole forest were holding its breath, watching and waiting for something to happen.

At the sound of running water, Matti pauses and listens. "Can you hear that?" she asks.

"Yes. It is... water." Vlaken replies.

Matti turns to him, "It must be the lake. Come on." She hikes up her dress again and breaks into a run, headed for the sound. She brushes past bushes and trees alike before it comes into view. "It is beautiful," she whispers, coming to a stop.

"Wow!" exclaims Vlaken, coming up beside her. "I have never seen it's like before."

"We had a magnificent lake near us in Arrowedge, Lake Gilda. It was bigger than this, but not quite as beautiful."

Vlaken leans down, scooping up a handful of water, drinking it down gratefully, then he scoops another, dribbling it down his chin. "That is better. I didn't know I was so thirsty."

Matti kneels, spreading out her dress in the soft soil before scooping up a handful herself and drinking it down. The cool liquid runs down her parched throat gladly. It rejuvenates her more than she thought possible. "By the Gods, that feels good," she says, scooping up two more before wiping her mouth. She stares at the mini lake in all its splendour, from the crystal-clear water to the moss-covered banks and the numerous wildflowers in a multitude of colours spread out all around. With the entire area overlooked by a lush canopy of green. "I almost do not want to leave," she whispers softly.

"I know what you mean. It is beyond what I could have thought."

She turns to him with a grin, "You really haven't been out of the city?"

"No," he nods. "The thought must be strange for someone like you?"

"Someone like me? What do you mean?" she asks.

"Forgive me? I did not mean to offend you. I just meant—"

"No need to apologise, Vlaken. I know what you mean. I am a girl from some village at the edge of Kankor."

"I did not mean... Sorry," he finishes with a sigh.

"Apology accepted," Matti says then laughs. The movement hurts her cheeks as she lets herself be pulled away in the joy of something. It makes Vlaken smile too then that turns to laughter also. "Oh, oh, oh. I cannot breathe. Oh, by the Gods, I haven't laughed like that in... I do not know."

"Me either. I do not think I have ever laughed so much. I feel free, Matti. For the first time I feel free."

She looks at him now, with tears streaming down her face. She wipes at them with a hand, then stands, taking in a deep breath. "We are both free now. I will hold out hope that I will see Neymar again, but for us, we must survive and for that, we cannot stay here as much as I would like to."

"I know," Vlaken sighs. "I just wanted to... I want to remember this place if I am never to see it again."

"We will see it's like again, I am sure. But for now we must find a cabin, and in it our salvation. Although, being in the woods could be a good thing."

"How so?"

"My father taught us, me and Aurora, how to hunt and survive out here. This was our second home."

"That makes me feel... better," Vlaken smiles as he stands. "Shall we go then?"

"Yes," she replies with a smile. "To the right Neymar said. We need to look for a copse of silver birch trees."

"What do they look like?"

She looks at him with a frown then softens, remembering where he has been all of his life. "They are called silver birch because of the colour of their trunks. It is silver-white in colour with small, dark patches all across it. Come, we will find them together. There was this one time when Aurora and I..."

"You do not have to talk about her. I can see it pains you to do so."

"It is not that. It just reminds me of better times. Times when I had my family still."

"I am sorry. It must be hard? I never knew my family. I was very young when I came to the capital."

"Where were you born?" she asks quietly, her voice barely audible.

"Galos, it is a small town on the outskirts of Tula Lake. Well, that is what I have been told. I do not remember anything from when I was young."

"Maybe you could visit some day? You never know, maybe there are people there that knew you or your family?"

"That would be... nice. Maybe one day. If we survive this?"

"We will survive this, we have to," she says stubbornly. "I am the last of my village and my family." She pauses, taking a deep breath. "This way, I think I see them."

She moves off without another word, she follows the bank of the lake on the right. Skirting around the moss-covered ground she watches her step as she makes her way towards a line of silver birch. She stops in front, reaching forward to touch a branch.

"This is them?" asks Vlaken.

"Yes. See how the bark shimmers if it catches the light, and the dark patches throughout. It stands out against the others. It is also smoother than most, look, feel." She grabs his hand, placing it against the soft, wooden bark. "See?"

Vlaken stares at his hand and where it is. "I feel it, yes. It is a strange feeling. It is smooth like you said."

"We need to look for a narrow pathway. Neymar said it should be to the right. Maybe we go through the trees first?"

"You said earlier to the right of the silver birch. I don't think we go through them, but it is your decision."

"It is our decision, Vlaken. We have to work together now. For all we know, we are the only people left from Norridan. The King... he may be alive but he may not. War and battles are never certain even if you have a thousand elite soldiers at your back. Oh, what are we going to do?"

"It will be okay, Matti. Neymar is alive. It takes a lot to kill a member of House Baal. We will see him again."

"I hope so too, I really do, but we must first think of ourselves. We have to get to the cabin he told me about then we can see where we go from there. I am sure that those daemon things will not stop at the capital. They may already be elsewhere but... we cannot think like that."

"You are right. We need to keep moving," Vlaken replies. "Over here, I think I see the way."

"Good," she replies. "As nice as this place is, the more distance we put between us and Norridan the better. Lead the way, Vlaken."

Matti follows behind, her hands occupied with lifting her dress once again. She keeps a pace or two behind to save from bumping into him but her eyes stay focused ahead, her mind looking for the wooden cabin that will be their salvation. They walk straight for almost a turn before the trees let up, giving way to a lush, green grove. Bushy grass that comes up to their knees surrounds them, encircled with tall oaks and at its centre, the suns shine down through an open hole in the canopy onto a wooden cabin.

"There it is!" Matti beams. "Neymar told me it would be here. Come on." She lifts the hem of her dress and breaks into a run towards it.

"Wait for me!" shouts Vlaken, following behind.

Matti races forwards, the thought of resting peacefully, even for a short while, was the best thing she could think about. She wades through the knee-high grass with ease making it to the cabin in no time at all. Skidding to a stop, she peers around suddenly expecting to see someone living here.

The thumping of feet makes her turn to see Vlaken running, full pelt towards her. It makes her smile for some reason. He does look like a younger version of Neymar, but without the eyes. Strange. Still smiling, she dashes towards the door, getting there a moment before him. She pauses as sudden fear grips at her. She lifts her hand to knock but stops as strange thoughts run through her head.

What if someone lives here? Will they be friendly? What if the supplies have been—

"Matti, what are you waiting for?"

"What if someone lives here? What if they... what if they are not friendly?"

"Why would there be people here? The King sent you here, surely that means that it is a safe place?"

"Maybe. Maybe it was something he was told, oh, I don't know!" she huffs in frustration.

"Well, if there was someone here, they would have heard us yelling. So, my guess is that this place is empty. So go on and see, will you?" He gives her a little nudge, pushing her forward an extra step.

"Okay, I am doing it." She takes the last step and reaches forwards. Her fingers touch the smooth, shiny surface of the metal doorknob and she twists then pushes at the old wooden door. It resists at first, she has to push harder, putting her shoulder into it. It squeaks and groans but it moves slowly inwards to reveal a quaint cottage before her.

Matti steps over the threshold, standing inside she gets a faint whiff of wood smoke and cooked meat. Bacon? She sniffs taking in the aroma, "Yes, definitely bacon."

"What was that?" Vlaken asks, still standing outside.

"I smell bacon and wood smoke, and... tea!" She beams at the thought. "Oh, how I have missed tea."

"What is tea? I have never heard of it."

"It is a drink, a hot drink. There are many different flavours. Oh, wait until you taste it."

"Can't wait," Vlaken muses as he steps inside.

They both stand inside a homely cottage. The wooden walls are bare but the space is occupied by several high-backed benches covered in soft cushions, a knee-height, rectangular table sat in the middle, a crude looking stove in one corner spaced back from an empty fireplace and a large cupboard in another. It has a window directly opposite them that looks out at the sprawling grass and the trees beyond and two doors, one to either side.

Matti walks the short distance and flops onto one of the benches with a dull thump. She lies back, snuggling into the soft fabric of the cushions, sinking into them suddenly feeling the full effects of their journey.

"Oh wow. This is what we needed, Vlaken. Sit, trust me on this."

"They do look comfortable, I'll say that." He moves past her and throws himself onto the other bench sinking in immediately. "Wow, you were right, this is like a bed. Or am I just that worn out?"

"I think we both are, ha!" She throws back her head hitting only softness behind her. "I say we rest for a while then find what we can, what do you think?"

"I am only following your lead. But that sounds good..." he yawns before going on. "to me."

"Very well. We will rest a while." Matti only manages to get the last word out before yawning herself. Her body felt battered and probably bruised. But she takes one look at Vlaken, his eyes already closed and does the same, letting sleep take her.

⛬

Matti rouses from sleep first. She wraps her arms around herself at the sudden chill in the air. "By the Gods, why is it so cold?"

Standing, she grabs at her dress and moves towards the stove. A pile of cut logs she hadn't seen before are stacked next to the fireplace beyond. She moves closer, picks up a few and sets them across one another ready to burn. "Now, where are... there," she says, grabbing at a flint and steel hanging to the right. Searching around, she finds a small box of kindling that she sets underneath. Right, let's try this again. It has been a while, but father would come back to haunt me if I messed this up. She strikes them together creating a spark, but it doesn't catch. She tries another three times before the kindling catches and begins to smoke. Leaning in closer she blows gently fanning the tiny flames. Just as father taught me. Blowing again, the flames lick at the logs piled above catching the base of them. She stays, creating a vortex to help the flames grow until they can sustain themselves then she sits back warming her hands as the fire comes to life brightening the room.

"Thanks."

Matti jumps up and almost trips on the hem of her dress. "By the Gods, you scared me half to death, Vlaken. How long have you been awake?"

"Not long, and sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump."

"Do not worry. At least I am not cold anymore. I am not sure if it is from the fire or the scare though." She stands, dusting herself off. A grumble, the noise louder than she thought possible telling her what to do next. "Time to find some food I think."

"By the sound of it, you need it more than me. Although I wouldn't mind digging into something about now."

"Let's see what we can find then." She moves over to the cupboard opposite and opens the doors. They creak on unused hinges but reveal a pantry fully stocked with goods to keep them going for a whole cycle. He wasn't lying to me. Oh, I do hope I see you again Neymar.

"What are we having for supper then?" Vlaken asks, getting up from his bench.

"How does bread, cheese and some wine sound?"

"Really? There is really all of that there?"

"Yep, we should be good for a whole cycle if we are careful."

"Do you think we will be here that long?"

Matti shakes her head, "No. We will have to move soon. We do not know if those things made it through the tunnels. We should put as much distance between them and us as we can."

"Oh," he sighs, looking down at his feet.

"Vlaken. Cheer up. We are alive like you said, and we are here safe for the moment. Let us make the most of this reprieve and see where it goes. By the Gods we need a rest, at least, and some food. So what do you say?"

"Bread, cheese and wine it is then," he says with a smile. "Can I help?"

"I can get it, but see if you can find a knife?" She pulls out some bread wrapped in paper, a hunk of cheese and one of the wine bottles from the rack below. "I'll take it over here."

"On it."

Matti walks back to her bench and dumps the items down. She pushes some of the cushions away to make space then unrolls the bread. Vlaken comes over having found a pair of goblets and a dagger with an ornate blade of white with a small, blue gemstone cast into the small cross-guard. "Where did you find that?" she asks.

"It was hanging on the wall next to that door," he points. "Couldn't find anything else."

Matti holds out a hand and Vlaken passes it over. She runs a hand over the ordinary sheath then over the hilt. "Is it... bone?"

"I don't know, but it is sharp. Be careful."

"I will, thank you." She cuts the bread into two and slices off some strips of cheese, handing them over to Vlaken, then re-sheaths the dagger, setting it to the side. She uncorks the wine and pours them each a goblet full. The sweet scent of crushed grapes wafts up as it swirls around the metal, sloshing around it almost the colour of blood. She passes one to Vlaken holding her aloft. "To us, and survival," she toasts.

With a clink of metal they both take a sip, drinking the sweet liquid down. "To you and to the king," says Vlaken.

With a smile, Matti toasts again, taking another sip, savouring the feeling as the dark wine runs down her throat. She smiles as the punchy aftertaste hits her, warming her body. "Mmm, the wine is good."

"It is," agrees Vlaken with a grin.

The next few moments fly past as they eat and drink in silence, finishing off the last few breadcrumbs before pouring themselves another cup each.

"Matti?"

"Yes?"

"What are we going to do now?"

"I... I don't know. I know we cannot stay here, but from here... Oh, maybe we could go to Galos, back to your home?"

"I would like that."

"There might be a problem. I don't know where Tula Lake is, do you?"

"Ah, no. I know it is to the west but that is it. Sorry."

"Well, we have a place that we can head too. We went north to this grove from the capital so maybe we go west from here."

"I'm good with that. To see my home again after so long, it will be an adventure."

With a smile, Matti sips at her wine. "We are already on an adventure. Let's see where it takes us."

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