After the nightmare forest, we accompanied eachother through another one. This time , we learned how to hunt, set traps or fish and pick good fruits out of bad ones. For better or for worse, we had to do it.
We had already visited several villages and my knowledge about this world had steadily increased. Doctor Sue even offered to teach me. As embarrassing as it is, I who was literate before became illiterate here.
Right now, we are both sitting on a log with my legs dangling as I swayed it back and forth. My mind wandered , my eyes blurred and hazy thoughts formed slowly as I connected the dots to eachother.
"That's Right!!!", I exclaimed ecstatic at the realization. Doctor Sue glared at my sudden outburst, his head shaking lightly and he frowned. I mouthed an apology and sat obediently on the log once more. I couldn't care less about my surroundings, my mind simply wandered into a deep contemplation.
You see, 2 days ago I saw something huge and thought it was familiar but I just realized why, right now.
I am still not used to a lot of things but at least I don't scream when I find strange things. Of course , more than once I was scolded because of all my screaming.
I mean-- Have you ever seen a fish that flies? Or, a flying fish large enough to flatten you with its belly?
I was frightened alright! Liz quoted.
I still remember the first time , I saw that enormous creature. I was frightened for days.
It was normal day and at night we camped. Under the stars, if it doesn't rain and inside a cave if it does. That day we camped out as usual when morning came I was awakened by a series of alarming tremors.
I sat up abruptly, my consciousness jolted awake, beside me was a sleeping log that wouldn't stir.The land moved as if it was alive and we shook with it. Fear enveloped me as I grabbed the person beside me.
"Wake up! Wake up!"
"5 more minutes," he grumbled as he slipped into covers once again. Get up! I was enraged, I shook him again this time harsher.
If you don't wake up, grass would grow on your grave. I shook him while changing into a half kneeling position when the land rumbled one more. This time deep cracks deformed on its surface.
I was speechless, how could anyone still sleep at this moment?
I was deeply considering leaving him there when the trees shook along the crumbling rocks. Then, I saw it. An ear-piercing scream echoed and scared the massive entity until it flew away. This time Doctor Sue was finally roused from his slumber. He looked around blankly, saw that creature and went back to sleep. It was 100 feet tall or rather as big as an medium-sized island.
Though, later he explained that were called "Narwhals" and are rather friendly. I was still traumatized but he patiently explained that they are rather tame creatures.
It was enormous like those whales narrated in distinguished tomes of famous scholars of Eastern settlements. Yet, it awfully had a spear on its forehead--albeit small, it looked like those animals tributes to the emperor before.
That realization made me giddy. Maybe, I could go back.
Back, I repeated. I wasn't keen on going back but it sounds so much than being hungry here.
Oh, wake up Liz, the life you had there wasn't living.
Doctor Sue finally finishes analyzing that map and drew the routes we could take, I hopped off the log and followed him out the jungle. After being with him for days, I realized he had been avoiding human settlements all this while.
........
We are now taking a path seldom walked on. It is on the periphery of another forest. I couldn't open my map in with a stranger in tow. From that last question about how I'd survive in the nightmare forest, I had been extremely careful not to do arouse his suspicions or do anything out of the ordinary with him. But, the strange terrain, doesn't help us either.
Before, I planned to just stay in those villages, we stayed at. But, whenever I woke up the next day, I felt cold all over like I had to continue my journey or else something bad would happen to me. I didn't know what to make out of that but I knew better than to disobey it. I didn't know what to do either. So, I just followed the doctor around. The agreement of parting ways after finding a place to stay became null.
We bought the map from the 3rd village we visited over. He was a nice old man that gave us the only map available, it was old but useful.
His wife even gave us a few coins, she sneaked in our pockets along with other stuff. Apparently, this was a culture of the south especially villages like this that are too close knit.
Doctor Sue didn't comment when our supposed agreement became null when we visited those villages where he guided me to in exchange for saving him but had been prolonged since. I realy didn't want to go to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. I still have things to do, too.
And, I admit, staying with Doctor Sue was much better.
Not to mention, the ring I'm carrying is anything but common here. Although that women briefed me with the common sense here. After, observing for days, I've gathered that even if magic is normal here, the things I brought with me would still get me in trouble.
Pills that could heal all skin injuries.
Some that could regrow arms, legs and limbs but not the head. An ointment that could remove 3rd burn degrees to the way it was before. There was even ointments for 4th and 5th. Even my jumbled common sense can guarantee that what I'm bringing would be more trouble than it's worth.
Cold sweat ran from my head to toes.
Seriously, Why was she so generous?
I noticed it the moment I saw how fast those bruises heal on Doctor Sue when he was injured. Thank God, I met him and had him test those.
Or, else, I'll be blinder than I already am.
"HEY!!!LIZZZ!!!!"
I was lost in thought when I heard him yell my name.
"I'm COMING", I shouted back.
I hopped off the log ,I was balancing on and ran to him who was more than 7 meters away. I didn't notice he was already far away.
Up the hill, with his arms still raised beckoning to Liz. Sue watched as the little figure dashed to him. His lips curved into a half smile.
These days with the little guy warmed his heart the most.