The unlikely trio made their way through the dense forest, not staying more than a night anywhere if they had to stop at all. Their ox, nicknamed Brute by the over-excited elf of their company, was living up to his name as he trudged at a steady pace that quickly took them far enough from the mine that they could no longer see the details of the plateau. Being so far from her father, Wynessa held tightly to the few things she claimed as her own, including the pack of belongings from the old guard tower. She even refused to show the boys what she had gathered that day, often staring at the old letter, still sealed, by firelight when it was her turn to keep watch in the night.
On the fourth day traveling away from Horseshoe Valley, the road they had been following met up with the kingdom's main highway and the forest would soon begin thinning. Glancing at the map they had bought from a traveling merchant, Timias and Miklian found themselves arguing over which direction to take to get around the mountains.
"North will take us to the border faster, meaning we can get you both to safety faster." The giant was in a foul mood at the elf as they argued, holding the map splayed for them both to observe it and point out their desired routes.
"That is true, yes, but at the cost of your safety! As soon as we cross the border, you would be arrested and sent to stand trial for the atrocities of your entire home kingdom! Normally, I wouldn't mind such an outcome, but you, my friend, are unlike so many of your kind!" Timias found himself quickly chewing on his own shoe as he shoved his foot in his mouth. metaphorically speaking. "I just mean to say that no other giant, or even a goblin, let alone anything like an ogre would have taken the time to save an elf or a human. Yet, you've saved two! And look at us! We're not so shabby that we were undeserving of your saving! Let us save you this time, my friend."
"He's right, Miklian." Wynessa finally spoke from the back of the cart where she sat watching the trees behind them. "We need to go south to the city, then we can take the mountain path west to meet up with my father at the rendezvous. There's enough of a giant presence in the surrounding areas that the city is our safest bet without having to worry about your safety."
Her voice was quiet but stern, and his heart melted with each word of concern that crossed her lips. Miklian wanted nothing less than to worry her, so he nodded in silent agreement and turned the cart to follow the wider road southwards. The jostling movement shook the cart enough that Timias nearly fell overboard, but the back of his coat was caught by a large blue-grey hand that held him in place so he could better catch his footing.
Watching the pair of men getting along brought a soft smile to Wynessa's features before she returned her attention to watching the road behind them. She sighed contentedly, holding tightly to the small box of gemstones she had found and the silver necklace within as it sat in her pocket. Her mind wandered some, letting her shy away from the questions that burned in her.
Why did she care if he got arrested? Or killed for that matter. He was a giant, and his mother and his kind had been the cause of the heartache and pain that was her life. He deserved it.
Right?
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Dusk had come faster than they were prepared for, or perhaps they were all off in their own minds as they trudged along the road. Wynessa was asleep, wrapped up in blankets and a large brown and green cloak as she sat in the front of the cart, unintentionally leaned against her giant as he held tightly to the reins. Timias was also unconscious in the cart behind them, but he sprawled like a cat in the few blankets he had brought.
As the sun sank behind the mountains, Milian sighed softly, letting the dark of the coming night wash over them. He was comfortable traveling through the night so long as their Brute was willing, and the great ox showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. If they kept moving, the giant could stay awake until dawn.
The forest had been thinning gradually as they made their way away from the densest parts of the forest towards the sweeping plains of the south, and as midnight grew closer they were nearing the edge of the forest when the drifting sounds of music could be heard and a large fire lit up the grassland around the clearing it burned in.
"Wussat!?" Timias shot upright as soon as he heard the music, excitedly wiping away the slight dampness next to his mouth as he scrambled towards the front of the cart to see the festivities they were heading towards. His sudden movement woke his human friend as he grabbed her shoulder and pulled himself onto the bench beside her. Any cart that was built with giants in mind was easily maneuverable for someone of his stature. "OH! Oh, we have to stop and ask to join them, my friends! Please!"
While their elf bounced in place, Wynessa and Miklian blushed feverishly, her vibrant red cheeks matching the darkness of his deep blue ones as she readjusted herself to sit upright and stop leaning on him.
"Yes, I think that's a good idea. You two go ahead and join them if they'll let you, and I'll stay with the cart in case they don't like my kind." The giant's eyes refused to meet his companions' as he pulled the cart to the other side of the road a little ways off from what steadily grew to sound like a celebration.
Hopping from the cart, the elf and human pair opted to bring one of the bottles of alcohol she still had in her pack as a form of asking invitation before walking steadily up the road towards the music, laughter, and fire.
"My dear, what do you think of our big blue friend?" Timias broke the silence, gently grabbing her arm and holding her hand to his forearm to politely lead as he awaited her response. In the four days they had been traveling, he had not been able to speak with her in confidence without Miklian looming nearby, so he jumped on the opportunity to hear her thoughts.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Tim." She artfully dodged the subject he most wanted to hear, but a wry smile touched her cheeks as she pulled him towards the group ahead of them. In the dull light of the nearing fire, he thought he saw a blush still painted across her face, but it was dark and he couldn't be sure.