Ermos reached into his pocket, remembering the magic stones that he had traded for. "Here," he said, "these were meant to open the doors of the Stone Tree for us, but since we don't need them anymore, maybe their magic can help you recover."
The Queen looked at the stones for a few quiet moments, a look of disbelief on her face. "But these are just ordinary ston-" she began, before realizing something and shaking her head. "No… Thank you for your kindness… I will put them to good use. I really must go now. I do hope that we will meet again. Goodbye, Ermos!"
With that, the Queen of Flowers faded into nothingness, taking the stones with her. "Bye…" Ermos said quietly, speaking to nothing but air.
"She was really nice," Pash said. "Do you think we'll meet her again?"
"Hard to say," Ermos shrugged. "But I wouldn't mind it." He looked at the flask in his hands as he said that, holding it carefully between his fingers. He truly couldn't wait to use it.
The hound sat itself on its haunches a distance away from them. It let out its massive tongue and panted patiently, waiting for new instructions, drenching the ground in its saliva.
"…I think I might have another idea," Ermos said as he watched the beast's chest heave up and down with each massive breath that it took. The first idea had truly been the stroke of genius, Ermos knew, and it had made their travelling significantly easier. But, laziness was a bottomless pit. He thought he might be able to make it even easier for himself.
"What is it?" Pash asked.
"Lie down so I can sit on top of you," Ermos said to the dog, his intentions innocent.
The hound hesitated a moment, certainly understanding the instruction, but appearing not to really like it. It eventually went down on its belly, crunching thick vegetation beneath it. It lowered its head to make it easier for Ermos to climb on, its wet nose swelling with each exhaled breath.
Without a shred of fear or hesitation, Ermos leapt onto its front paw and then onto its shoulder and then onto the hound's back. The fur was even thicker than he expected. It crept all the way up to Ermos' knees. It was like standing in a field of black grass.
"Come on, Pash," Ermos called down to his apprentice. "It actually seems quite comfortable."
Pash seemed more than unnerved by the prospect. He stared suspiciously at the dog's red eyes, not trusting that it wouldn't throw them both its back. Ermos left his apprentice to his worrying and made his way closer to the boulder hound's head.
There was a spot right on the scruff of the neck that sunk down like a nest. Ermos went straight towards it, figuring it to be the most perfect seat.
Pash began to clamber up as well. He did not manage to leap up with the same grace as his master. He had to grab fistfuls of the hound's fur and climb it like a cliff face. When he finally managed his way to the top, his face was as red as the hound's eyes, and he was panting just like it.
The dog barely reacted as his fur was pulled. It seemed to be the most minor of irritations for him. Their weight on his back barely disturbed him at all.
"Over here, Pash," Ermos called out. He'd reclined himself back into that small nest of the neck, using his hands as a pillow for his head.
His apprentice came over on unsteady feet, having to pause a moment to steady himself every time the hound's chest rose and fell. His eyes were round with nervous fear.
"Keep going, you're almost there," Ermos said encouragingly. "Are you still scared of heights?"
Pash nodded slowly, having to clench his eyes closed to avoid looking down. Ermos rolled over and took a peek over the side. It wasn't really that far down at all, not when you compared it to the moat of the Stone Tree. Then again, the dog had yet to stand up.
When Pash finally reached their nest, he all but fell into it, grateful to be safe at last.
"Not bad right?" Ermos asked. "If you ignore the smell, it's actually pretty cosy."
"I suppose so," Pash agreed with less enthusiasm. "But what happens when he starts walking?"
"Let's find out, I suppose," Ermos said, before turning his voice towards the dog. "Up now, boy! Up and forwards! We're leaving this forest!"
The dog sprang to his feet a little too quickly. They were both cast up high out of their saddle before gravity brought them back down again. Ermos laughed aloud as it happened. It was a rather fun sensation. Pash didn't enjoy it so much. His face had gone white, and he looked as though he might be sick.
Before the beast lurched forward, they both grabbed a good amount of fur to secure themselves in place, and they were immediately glad that they did.
When the dog tensed its hind legs and pounced itself into a sprint, the air clapped at them like a solid fist. With each stride it took, they went up into the air and down again, the only thing anchoring them in place was the fur.
"That's it! Good boy!" Ermos shouted in glee. "What do you think Pash? Far better than any horse, isn't it? At this rate, we'll make it to market even before sundown!"
Pash opened his mouth to reply, only to be tossed into the air and to have his jaw come down hard on his tongue. Ermos saw blood on his chin. The boy did not dare to speak again after that.
"Good boy!" Ermos said again. "Can you go even faster?"
The hound's tail began to wag at the praise. It spun around and around like a giant propeller, and soon they were going at almost double the speed. Ermos wasn't sure whether it was the tail that was sending them forwards so quickly or whether it was all in the legs.