“Don’t worry. The trees will help her.”
I didn’t know what that meant, or how the trees could help her, but my ignorance was no surprise. Here in Elf-hame, I was more than a fish out of water. I was worse than a dinosaur in the wrong realmandtime altogether.
About an hour after we encountered Valeriana, Arabis pulled ahead of the prince and increased our pace.
“It’s hard to tell the time with all of these leaves up there.” Cylea glanced up at the thick canopy. “But it seems Arabis thinks we should hurry.”
“Weshouldhurry if we want to get to Imbermore before sundown,” Silver pointed out.
We switched from a clipped walk to a canter. I worried that Valeriana wouldn’t be able to keep up with us, but Jeondar looked unconcerned about it, so I didn’t say anything.
Sometime later, we broke out of the trees into wide grasslands, flanked by a large body of water on the right.
I slowed to admire the beauty. Expansive blue skies hanging over azure waters that sparkle with the sun. Patches of colorful wildflowers among grass as tall as our horses’ knees. Flocks of golden birds flying overhead, their plumage so beautiful that it glinted brilliantly with the sun and caused me to avert my eyes. What looked like miniature deer grazing placidly, their antlers twined with vines. And in the distance, a few-hours-ride away, tall spires that had to be part of Imbermore.
“Finally,” Jeondar said, pausing next to me. “Home is in sight.” He trotted away.
I called for him. “What about Valeriana?”
He reined in his horse. “Oh, yes. I forgot.” He rode back to the edge of the woods and let his voice project outward. “We know you’re there, child. Come out.”
We waited for a moment while Silver, Cylea, and Kryn continued ahead, though at a slow pace.
I scanned the trees, finding no sign of the girl. “Are you sure she’s there?”
Jeondar nodded. “I’ll ride ahead a bit. I have a feeling she’ll come out for you.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned his horse and quickly joined the others. Dandelion leaned down to eat grass, her body swinging gently as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other.
I cleared my throat. “Come out, Valeriana.” I quickly added, “Please.”
Nothing.
I glanced the other way to see how far the others had gotten. Not very far. It seemed they still didn’t trust me not to ride off into the sunset. When I glanced back toward the trees, Valeriana was standing there, her eyes on the ground and her hands tied into a knot in front of her.
“Hello there,” I said, dismounting. “You must be tired after following us for such a long time.”
She shook her head but didn’t look at me.
“Hmm, Jeondar said the trees would help you travel. I think that is amazing. Where I come from, they don’t have people who can travel along the trees like you.”
Her rosebud mouth stretched into an almost smile. “Dryads travelthroughthe trees.” She corrected me, seeming amused by my lack of knowledge.
“Oh, even better. That is really cool.”
She frowned. “Cool?”
“Yes, it’s what we say when something is impressive, awesome.”
She nodded.
“So… I take it you decided to come with us?” For the first time, I wondered if I’d assumed incorrectly. Maybe she wasn’t coming with us and instead was only making sure we got out of her forest.
Her little face showed the internal battle she was waging. It seemed she was considering leaving her home behind.
“I’m also away from home,” I said. “I’m not even in the same realm.” I chuckled sadly. “But I know I will return. I know nothing will keep me from going back.” I set my jaw with conviction, making myself a promise.
She took a step toward me, but just as she did, a stream of vines came out from her legs and feet and anchored themselves in the ground, halting her. I stared in wonder, understanding the way the forest called to her and her aching desire to stay.