After the encounter with the ghostly dragon, the remainder of their trek across the hillsides were significantly more pleasant.
Animals had begun coming back to the area, plants sprouted everywhere, including berry bushes and vines, supplying the companions endlessly with food.
Every night Caeli would sit at the top of a nearby hill and do her evenings worship for the goddesses. She would recite the prayer the Folk had taught her, she would then raise her hands to the wind and say it's name. It was one of the few things she remembered from her mother as a child. Every evening they would go out into the night and pay worship to the wind, and in return would ask for good weather and good fortune to be brought by it.
As Caeli had gotten older, she was discouraged more and more often not to do such things, sometimes forbade to do it. It was asking for trouble, her relatives had claimed. It was madness to speak to the wind and it would only cast madness upon her to do so.
But after her talk with the lonely specter of the hillsides she felt a burning desire to be closer to her mother, to wrap her hands tightly on the few memories she had of her and never let go. It also made her more sure of her mission. Everyday of her life it had felt like something was missing. Many times she had realized the story her aunt and uncle had told her did not make sense. As Caeli's relationship with the magical part of the world increased, she believed more than ever that there were answers out there for her. And in order to find those answers, she would have to do as the ghostly dragon had told her.
Be true to herself.
Her evening prayers felt RIGHT. It felt right to give thanks to nature and take only what was needed. It felt right to pay homage to the wind. She couldn't figure out why but it just made sense.
And so her new evening routine was religiously followed, meaning that she was able to see the cottages fire as the sun went down from the hill side she stood on.
Part of her thought they should head in that direction and hopefully find someone amiable to ask shelter and food of. The other part of her was sure that it was a bad idea and that they should go around.
Brego came to stand behind her with Aurum on his back.
"Better go around methinks.", said Brego seriously.
Caeli simply nodded. Around then.
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A few days had passed and they were again in thick forest. Caeli felt like they had been traveling a life time, and yet the mountains loomed far in the distance.
Everyday that went by she became stronger and stronger. She could now walk all day and no longer be sore, she could lift heavy loads of wood, she could quickly swing her sword without issue.
She continued to practice her swordplay every night, each night she could train longer and longer, her stamina increasing.
Days went by of traveling, preparing food, training, and studying the almanac that Demetri had given her. She read things that she already knew, like the fact that hollay root helped energize and hydrate you, helping you heal if added to water that you drink. She also read things she did not know, like the magical capabilities of various stones and flowers. She recalled the circle shaped stone with a hole in the center that Adair had used the day the dragon had attacked. They called it an augment stone but she never truly understood what that meant, she knew only that it made Adair's voice exponentially louder, even when he spoke normally without urgency or fear like that fateful day. She also had not know that it was composed of marble. The book stated that marble could intensify vibrations and thus it was often used as such. It also stated that certain runes could be used to direct this augmentation, like the hearth she had seen at the inn in Flumen. Whoever had placed those runes had made them to augment the fire itself, likely to reduce the amount of wood it need in order to be useful enough for heat, light, and cooking.
Caeli continued to read and learn as she went, going back to re-read certain parts that seemed like they could be helpful in the future.
Days passed by like this as they made a conscious effort to give the cottage a wide birth.
Each night Aurum would lay close to Caeli and attempt to soothe her restless sleeping while Brego kept watch for most of the night, until it was Aurums turn.
"She's not had a good nights rest since we left that valley.", Aurum said softly, more to himself than to Brego. He used the tip of his tail to brush a strand of hair from her face and tuck the cloak more tightly around her shoulders.
Her brow furrowed for a moment and then she settled. Aurum continued to stare at her for a long moment before turning to the gelding.
"Perhaps this, Raven, had a greater effect on our girl than we initially suspected.", Brego said seriously, lifting his head to observe Caeli's face as well.
"What can we do?", Aurum said hopelessly. There had been little to no improvement in Caeli's restlessness in the long weeks they had passed since they had left the valley. Aurum felt anger slowly grow inside of himself. How could this Raven creature hurt her so deeply? How could he lie? How could he let her go?
Aurum realized in that moment, that if he had been in Ravens position, he would not of allowed it. If Aurum had been so lucky as to be noticed by Caeli in such a way, he would not if squandered his opportunity thusly. The creatures naivety and selfishness made him outraged.
"Aurum, I know that you care for the girl. But you must know, there could never be anything between you two.", Brego said nonchalantly, slowly dropping his head to a small patch of clover.
Aurum felt a sharp pain in his chest and a flash of anger. As suddenly as it had appeared, it began to change shape and become melancholic resignation.
Of course there couldn't be. That did not matter in the slightest. He would stay by her side, no matter the circumstance. He owed her that, and much more.
"I can protect her.", Aurum said quietly. Was he trying to convince his companion or himself? He wasn't entirely sure.
Brego huffed and continued his lazy grazing.
Weeks later and the trio arrived on the other side of the forest. The trees became more and more sparse until eventually they broke through the line and saw something, none of them expected.