The gods created our world. There is a God for almost everything that ever has or will exist in these lands. Though there are five gods who deserve our gifts and prayers. The High gods.

The Water God was first, creating an ocean world. The second God to contribute was the God of Earth. He built great masses of land and made them rise from the vast oceans. Upon these lands, he gave us rich soil and flavoursome foods to grow in them. He gave us beautiful mountains and vast open spaces of wildflowers or rolling hills of green grass and thick forests. The Water God once again worked his magnificent powers. He gave us rivers that cut through the countryside and great lakes that sat in between huge mountains. Together, they made a beautiful home for us to live upon.

Next came the God of Creatures. He made all the animals on the land and in the oceans. Animals that would both sustain us and entertain us. Animals to add to the beauty of our great home.

Then came the God of the Day who gave us warmth and light so we could look upon all these gifts we'd already been given.

The Fifth God gave us what was most precious. Life. He was what made it all possible, giving life to every plant and animal. Though for a few precious beings, he gave something else. He separated them from the animals, giving them the ability to think beyond animalistic instinct.

He gave us the gift of true life, freedom and independence. So we shall thank him with our prayers and gifts. We shall follow his laws and worship him with our complete devotion. For those who do not shall face his eternal wrath.

~The Creation

Reaching the forest is a huge relief. The cover of the trees blocks out the scorching heat of the sun and provides a pleasant coolness.  The road opens up wider, cutting through the trees. The ground is more used.

I pull Trouble to the side of the road and open up the map. The map is in a book. Opening the first page, I see an illustration of a complete map of Vivelle. I skip over it quickly, wanting to find the page that I need. Finally, I find the region I am in. The Capital lands. On one page is the cliff, our castle drawn at the centre point of the long hundred-mile line of towering rock. Falling back from our castle is the city and the walls surrounding the huge population of buildings. On the opposite side of the cliff face, is the flat farmlands I've just come through. Huge and rectangular in shape. The smaller edge follows the cliff. The longer side spans just over one hundred miles toward the forest I now reach. Cut into the rectangle are thousands of lines all running parallel to each other. They are the thousands of tracks which lead across the flatlands. The paths from this road back to the cliffs into the city.

The Forest I am now in is on the next page. I turn it over carefully. I see the thick line of the road I am now on. It is one of the main roads in Vivelle. It goes around the whole edge of the forest. This forest itself surrounds the great mountain range and this road is the main way to get to each of the small villages and towns which sit both in and around these mountains. That and it is the main road from this region to get to the capital city. I follow the line of the road, trying to decide where to go. It darts off into smaller roads into various villages. All dotted here and there. Some cut into the forests, some deeper into the mountain valleys. A few in the mountains themselves.

With a sigh, I close the book and pack it away, deciding to go left. I want to stop soon, to have a proper break. That can't happen yet. I need to find a way to try and hide my trail. I know that there is a very high chance they came down the same little farm road I did. So there was no point in trying to hide my path then. Now, there are so many directions and places I could go. However, wherever I go I will leave some sort of mark. Trouble is a big horse and will leave bigger tracks than average horses. Even if I strayed from the path, they'd still be able to track his hoofprints plus the broken branches or the snags of hair I'd undoubtedly leave tangled in low hanging plants. Then, there would be eyewitnesses of course. This is a busy road. Even now a large cart comes along toward me. I sigh, unsure about what to do. So I continue to walk for a while, enjoying being in the forest. I barely look at people who pass. I just offer them a small smile or nod and they don't bother me. Most are too busy transporting goods from one town to another.

I realise quickly, however, that hiding Trouble's path might be easier if I stay on the main road. People who live and work out here need strong horses. Working horses. Like Warhorses, they are huge in size which means their shoe tracks are also large. That means that Trouble's tracks won't be out of place. Working horses are slightly different to Warhorses though. Working horses are pure strength. Though they are gentle giants really. Perfect for gently carrying heavy loads throughout the days. Warhorses are for strength and speed. They have a huge amount of energy to allow them to run for hours on end without getting too tired. Though their bodies are similar in the large, muscular appearance. Meaning that I won't stand out much riding Trouble. Most will think I'm just a farm girl taking a ride.

After about two hours of gentle strolling, I begin to get nervous. Travelling this slow means that it will be easier to be caught up with. My father will have hundreds of soldiers out looking for me by now and I know they won't be trying to be as subtle as I am being. They also won't have a problem with hurting or exhausting their horses. I can tell Trouble is beginning to tire. We round a corner, coming up to a bridge. An idea pops into my head. There is one way they won't be able to track me. Looking around, I see no one, thankfully. The road has been extremely busy all morning. Though I suppose as midday is coming, people are stopping to rest. The heat is still strong, even with the cover of the forest canopy. It is a risky idea, but I urge Trouble into the water. He is happy to oblige and he jumps in. The water of the river isn't too deep and Trouble laps it up quickly. I sigh. Again, do I go left or right?

Again, I chose left. Deciding to push against the water. Going with it would be the quicker, smarter thing to do. I hope that those pursuing me would assume I took that option. 

The river is large in width but slow and calm in movement. I look at the map again, focusing on the chunk of woodland I am now in, the river especially. There are no signs of any waterfalls or rapids anywhere. Even better is that this is the only place where the river and road cross. Meaning I will disappear into the woodlands where there should be no one to see me. No witnesses for my pursuers to interrogate.

So I push Trouble on. The water comes up just past his knees as we continue to walk on the edges. In the water, we are leaving no trace. No footprints. No area's for our scent to be left if dogs are being used. No disturbed ground. Any trace we do leave is quickly snatched up and cleared by the river. The water gets a little deeper in places and I find myself having to lift the saddlebags up onto my shoulders to try and stop them from getting wet. At some points, Trouble has to start swimming. Something that he was trained to do from a young age thankfully. I'm not sure when to get Trouble out of the water. I can imagine soldiers being sent up and down both sides of the river. Trying to find any trace of our exit.

After about three hours of swimming against the low current, Trouble is huffing heavily.

"Soon, boy," I say, patting him softly. The River opens up into a huge lake and on one corner, I spot a small wooden dock. I urge Trouble in that direction. Stone steps lead out of the river and onto the little wooden platform. A little post is attached to one corner with a word written on it.

Ferry.

I let out a chuckle, pulling out the map. I follow the line of the river we just came up. Turning over the page, I see the lake and the ferry point. A path goes back to a point on the main road which by my guess is now fifteen miles from where we are. I decide to wait and see if a ferry arrives. I slide off Trouble's back, deciding to give him a little break from carrying my weight. I also drag the bags and saddle off him. Though I make sure he doesn't leave the wooden platform. I don't want hoof prints left in the soil around us.

I grab a rolled-up blanket from my bag and rub it over his wet body. Both trying to dry him and warm him slightly at the same time. I then grab the Redfruit from the bag, the heat over the last days of travel has made them fresh and ripe. I give a few to Trouble before digging into one of them myself. They are the size of my fist roughly. I bite into the red skin and juice bursts into my mouth. Sweet but sharp at the same time. I scoff it quickly before grabbing some of those dry crackers. Trouble nibbles at the grass around the edge of the platform before he lies down and sleeps for a little bit. Though he wakes after every fifteen to twenty minutes to graze a little on the grass of some leftover Redfruit before sleeping again. I have stripped off my wet trousers and hang them on the wooden dock. The sun beats down warmly and reflects off the blue lake waters. For a while, I can only look in awe. The sparkling blue lake is surrounded by thick masses of evergreen trees. However, I can see the mountains towering beyond. So much bigger than I ever could have imagined. They are intimidating, towering blocks of jagged stone. Snow glistening on the tops. It is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. It's peaceful too. I've never heard a quiet like it. Even from my tower in the palace, I could always hear the city. I close my eyes and listen.  Gone are the shouts and screams of people and the stench of shit or alcohol. Instead, I hear the birds singing their soft songs and the water ripple as a fish darts to the surface before returning to the depths again. I can also smell flowers, dirt and the soft breeze as it carries the smell of pine from the trees. I sigh, happy. Though I get back to work, emptying the bags to see what really has been packed for me. First, I put my now dry trousers back on though. Not really wanting some ferryman to see me in nothing but my undershorts.

I lay out all my equipment. A few thin blankets. Some material canteens ready to be filled with water. Some spare, lightweight clothing. A large pouch of coins and jewellery I could trade. I tuck that in my pocket. Some of my most important potions all wrapped up in a small leather pouch to keep them safe. Then, there is the map book and the other black book that Master Audwin stole from my father. A couple of daggers and a few bags of food also sit there. There are also the other full canteens. The one given by the farmer and the one Emlyn had already filled for me. Other equipment I wear includes the sword, bow and arrows. Plus there are the thick warm leather boots on my feet and the thick leather jacket I wear around my body. It is hodded, something which may be useful when I need to be less noticeable. Once, I've checked everything, I pack it all away. Stopping before putting the book away. I am about to read it when I spot something in the distance of the lake. I smile. The ferry. I nudge Trouble who stands quickly now freshly rested. I rush to put the saddle and bags back him.

"Gooday Miss, have you been waiting here for a long time?" the ferryman asks. He is a large man with strong looking arms and broad shoulders. Though I suppose if you spend all day rowing then that is what would happen. It is less of a boat and more of a large raft. I wonder if the square of wooden planks that make up this little raft will even hold Trouble. There is a mast in the centre with a folded up sail and ropes which all attach to posts around the edges of the little square.

"About an hour," I say with a smile.

"Well, hop on," he chuckles. I don't get onto Trouble's back. Instead, I step onto the raft and lead him on behind me. It shakes a little but otherwise doesn't sink which is a relief.

"Now, where can I take you?" he asks as he turns the raft away.

"Where do you go?" I ask. He looks at me for a few seconds as I open up my map book again.

"Well," he begins. "We go to many points around the fjord. This is only one part of it. There are thirteen ferry points altogether," he tells me.

"The one which takes the longest amount of time to get to by land," I tell him. "Please," I finish. He nods his head and we are quiet for a few seconds. He sighs and I turn to look at him.

"It's going to cost a lot. It is a long old slog for me," he warns.

"It's okay, I can pay," I tell him, pulling out the pouch and shaking it. I am not worried about him trying anything. Not with Trouble next to me at least. That and the sword at my hip. He frowns.

"That is an awful lot for a young woman to be carrying," he tells me. I look at him properly. His face has moulded from a confused frown into that of concern, his skin wrinkling around his brown eyes. He doesn't look like a particularly rich man, especially if his ferry service costs so much. He wears a loose white linen top over his large upper body and scruffy brown trousers. His skin that is visible has a slight tan to it and a scabby hat sits on what I am assuming is a bald head. He is perhaps in his early fifties with a missing tooth behind his thin smile. Though his expression is that of kindness, I do not feel as though he is a man you particularly want to cross. His is tall. Taller then Emlyn with a very broad upper body. "You ought to be careful," he continues. I nod my head.

"I can look after myself," I tell him with a smile, trying to reassure him. He sighs softly, taking in my appearance. The fine blade at my hips, the warm leathers, my horse.

"You're running, aren't you," he deduces. I stay silent. Not sure what to say. "I've had a few young rich women running from the capital city over the years. Ever since the king introduced the inheritance law." I clench my fists in my palms, the mention of my father making anger swell up in my veins. The inheritance law was one of his ideas and backed completely by the council. The law states that money, property, businesses and titles can only be passed down through sons. The only way for a daughter to get any of her parents inheritance is if she was married where it would instead go to her husband. That meant that a lot of young women were being forced into marriages with men of similar or more wealth so that the rich weren't passing on their power to those of lower statuses. Young women being forced into these marriages often ran, trying to free themselves from the control of their future husbands. Young men raised much like Kristoff who act the way he does also. I don't say anything, letting him believe that is all I am running from.

"Will there be people after you?" he asks. I nod my head.

"Yes, very dangerous people," I sigh. He smiles, which takes me by surprise.

"Well, you're in luck. I am the only ferry operator in this fjord. No one else is crazy enough to take this job," he chuckles. "But this is my last trip of the day and I know exactly which stop to take you to. One that would take a good few days to get to around the lake. Though only a few hours across the waters," he chuckles. My eyes widen.

"How could it take so much longer going around?" I ask. He chuckles and doesn't say anything. We get near the edge of the lake which I thought was the end. Instead, there is a small passage off to the side. We turn into it and my eyes widen. The Water stretches into the distance before me. Huge walls of stone rise on either side, slicing straight out of the water.

"The path on either side stretches miles around these cliffs. The only paths over the tops are not suitable for horses," he chuckles. "You'd have to climb to get to the tops also, not a very fast route," he continues. I can't reply. My eyes are wide with the spectacular beauty of this place. I've never felt so small before.

"Welcome to the great Fjords of Aldorn," he tells me with a laugh, obviously seeing my reaction. The towering cliffs reflect so clearly in the water around us as we travel down the middle of the body of water. Occasionally, waterfalls crash down into the water from the tops of the cliffs or mountains. Plants and trees also travel up the sides of them, but as he said, there is no path along these waters. I could only imagine my pursuers, if they could even tell I've come this way, having to travel all the way around these mountains instead of following the lake around. By the time they'd get to my destination, I'd be long gone.

I can't help but stare around me, feeling tears prickle in my eyes. I've never seen such spectacular beauty. I wish my sisters were here to see it too.

We carry on down the fjord for a long time. It twists and turns, each time revealing a new passage of mountains. It is silent for the most part, but soon I find myself talking to the ferryman.

"So, how does your business work?" I ask, curious. I've seen a few remote ferry points as we've travelled, but no one there.

"Well, I spend the day going from one end to the other, picking anyone waiting along the way. There normally isn't anyone though," he shrugs. "Well, this far down anyway. The Ferry points around the top of the fjord where my village is are always pretty busy with people trying to take a quicker route from one village to another," he shrugs.

"How can you afford to do it?" I ask, still confused.

"Well, I charge a fair amount. Plus, my family own the only butcher our village so that brings in a little more money. I stay out here though. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend every day in these waters? I also collect fresh fish along the way to sell." he tells me, looking around him with a sigh. I nod my head.

"Yeah," I whisper. "It is beautiful."

"Plus, it keeps me fit," he shrugs. I chuckle.

"So how long are you out here for?" I carry on.

"Well, I start at one end which is where my village is. Where I picked you up is the other end of this body of water. I start at my village and work my way down. Once I'm at the bottom, I come back again," he shrugs. "I do this twice a day. Five hour round trip," he tells me. My eyes widen.

"So if someone gets on at the stop just after you start and they want to go to your village," I begin frowning as I try and think of the words. "They'd have to come with you all the way down here and back up again?" I ask. He nods his head.

"Most of the villages around know the timings I arrive so they get to the ferries for my journey back if they want to go up toward the top of the fjord," he shrugs. I nod my head.

"Don't you get tired?" I ask.

"Sometimes, but I'm used to it now," he shrugs. "Plus, these waters barely move, so I don't really have to battle the elements very much. Sometimes, the winds rush down the fjords and that's when I raise this beauty. I hardly have to do anything," he chuckles, patting at the ropes that hold the closed sail. I smile.

"How many miles is it one way?" I ask.

"Twelve," he shrugs. My eyes widen.

"That's forty-eight miles of rowing a day!" I say, looking at him in disbelief. He shrugs.

"It's pretty easy in these calm waters," he says and I look at him. He doesn't seem to be putting that much effort into rowing, but still, we glide along the water with ease.

"Plus, I am half Lupine," he tells me. I nod my head. That makes a little more sense. Lupine are creatures of great speed, strength and endurance. That also explains his broad muscular appearance.

"Lupine?" I ask, confused again. Lupine hardly ever leave their Northern lands apart from when they attack villages. They are also very protective of their own kind, even if they are only half-born.

"Yeah," he smiles. "My mother is a Lupine who was captured by the king who sat on the throne sixty years ago. I can't remember which one it was," he shrugs.

"King Yuri," I say, without even thinking about it. My great-grandfather. The King before my grandfather. King Orion, my mother's father. Of course, King Orion only had daughters and my mother was the Queen Victorious who was forced to marry my father. King Matthias. Who, like all kings before him, is a cruel, greedy man who enjoys inflicting pain on others. I feel my anger bristle again as I think about my family and all the pain and death that has been inflicted upon us and what's we've done to others. The ferryman gives me an odd look, gazing down at my angry clenched fists and my frown before continuing.

"She managed to escape the city with the help of my father who picked her up on a ferry like this and took her back to his village. He saved her and hid her from those hunting her and well, they fell in love. She decided to stay with him and had also fallen in love with the beauty of this place. A few years after I was born," he smiles as he reminisces. I smile too.

"She's still alive, perhaps you could meet her when we get to my village," he shrugs.

"Perhaps," I say and we go quiet again. He continues to row as the waters twist down another new line of spectacular cliff faces. A breeze hits me suddenly, causing me to shudder.

"Quick, grab that rope and let it go!" the ferryman says, pointing at a rope attached to a wooden pole. I rush over and do as he says whilst he pulls at other pieces of equipment. The sail snaps open and the raft lurches forward. I stumble, though manage to stay on my feet. He laughs.

"What's your name by the way?" he shouts at me as the wind picks up. I don't answer for a few seconds as a smile crosses my face again. The wind is strong as it races down the fjord in the direction we need. The raft is now speeding along, almost skimming the water and not actually floating on it. My hair flies around me and Trouble looks a little panicked. I chuckle and he lies down, finding that standing up made him too unbalanced. I crawl to the side of the raft and run my fingers in the water. Its cool against my skin and I laugh with joy. I turn to look back at the ferryman.

"Ana," I reply with a shout deciding it would be easier not to make up a completely different name but use one I was already slightly familiar with.

"Nice to meet you, Ana. I am Iwan!"

"Nice to meet you too!" I shout back, turning to look at the rising cliffs around us before lying on my back with a content sigh.

For a few moments, I wish that I wasn't running. That I didn't have to complete an impossible task. That I could stay and live a simple life in these mountains and on these lakes. Perhaps, I could help Iwan with his ferry business and find a young farmer to settle down with. It would be easy. 

I could do it. I could hide for a year. That's my time limit. One year and if I'm not found or haven't returned, then I've failed and can't be the queen.

After a year, they would stop looking for me and I could be happy. I wouldn't have to hide and I could live my own life. But, the Trial would start again without me. Fallon, Cordelia, Rayana and Shaelyn's lives will be in the balance and three out of the four of them would die.

No, it would be selfish of me to do it. I have to save my sisters. I sigh and look at the beauty around me again. It will just have to be a pleasant memory.