“I could stand here all day, holding you.” Iohn whispered to her. “But, we have places to go.” He emphasized, but made no move to let her go. Would it be so bad? He looked around the camp. We could clear off the land, build a small cabin and settle down. He looked down at her and caught her gazing up at him.
She seemed to understand his dilemma and took a step back. “Where do we need to go, Maighstir?” She inquired as she walked over and knelt down to pick up her pack. Shouldering the pack, she picked his pack off of the ground, gracefully rose again to her feet and turned to face him. I will go anywhere you lead, she thought as she held out his pack.
Iohn closed his eyes for a second, then slowly turned to face away from the morning sun. “West,” he commented as he accepted the pack from Ariel and threw it over his shoulder. “I don't know why, but I'm being led west.” Even as he said it, he felt an urgency that he hadn't felt before. It's almost as if something bad is going to happen soon. “We have to hurry.”
“Do you know how far we are going?” Ariel asked as she moved to his side and looked east. “The mountains are tall, and the nearest village is many days walk from here.” She raised her left hand and pointed to the majestic peaks. “It will take us several days to reach the peaks and then go down to the other side.” She tilted her head in his direction. “Just how far are we supposed to go?” She inquired again.
“Damned if I know,” Iohn said as he gazed at the mountains. “What I'm feeling is pretty far away, beyond the mountains, I think.” He explained as he started walking east. “I just know that it's important that we be there by tonight.” He gazed up at the sky. Are the spirits trying to torture me with the knowledge of something that I can't stop? “Damn,” he muttered as he picked up the pace, making Ariel scramble to keep up.
Ariel could tell that he was disturbed by what he was being shown. I know he can fix it, if he can get there. She had no doubts about his abilities or willingness. When he stopped and let out a curse, she moved to his side. “Maighstir, please follow me, I know of a quicker way.” But should I show him?
Iohn nodded and fell in step behind her. She was so adept at finding the easy paths that he didn't have to concentrate so much on his footing, and soon fell into his own thoughts. She offered herself to me, she calls me maighstir, she seems happy, but.... is this something that you really want me to do Father Creator and Mother comforter? Is this something that I'm allowed to do? For once, there was no clear cut answer, and that bothered him. You know that I do want her, and she wants this. Is this your plan for both of us to be happy? Do we deserve such happiness?
