The Journey: Chapter 2

Two years later, I was singing a song that I had made, working in my garden. I had just gotten to the part about the sun and moon, when there was a thundering of hooves. I looked up, and saw three horses (the scary creatures) burst out from the neighboring trees. Suddenly, I was twelve years old again, and watching these creatures appear for the first time. Now, I was fourteen years old, and seeing it happen again.
             I leaped up and ran towards Danicio, who had dismounted, with joy in my heart. “Danicio!” I hugged him, and he hugged me back.
             “Tyra, you're so tall now!” he said. Silverleaf and Talut also dismounted, and I quickly hugged them too.
             After some tearful hellos, we were inside the cottage. Gramama was older now, and more frail. She depended on me to do the chores around the house, and sat the whole time now staring into the fire, rocking back and forth on her rocking chair.
             Gramama was in her rocking chair, Talut on a small stool, Danicio in my chair, and Silverleaf was leaning against the windowsill. I was busy preparing supper in the kitchen part, while I eagerly listened to Danicio bringing us up-to-date on the news of the world.
             “This war is now evenly spread, with neither side gaining an advantage,” Danicio said quietly, staring into the fire. “Taer Denluth, an orc base, has been destroyed, but the orcs have retaliated by destroying an elven base, Lai Trile.” Silverleaf looked away in sadness. “The elves numbers are going down,” Danicio continued. “There's only about a thousand or so left. That may sound like a lot, Tyra, but its not.”
             I nodded, bringing plates of vegetables over to the table. “I know. I've read those history books. That's sad news. Any happy news?”
             “Any meat?” Talut grumbled. I grinned, so happy to hear Talut complain. I had missed them so much.
             Silverleaf shrugged at me. “Not really.” He took his plate and smiled. “I sure have missed your cooking.”
             I smiled. “Thanks. I missed all you guys.”
             Danicio glanced up and studied me quietly. I blushed, and quickly continued serving everyone. Knowing that Gramama wouldn't eat, I gave her a cup of root tea. She accepted, but didn't say anything. She didn't drink it either. I glanced at her, and saw her start to twitch, each twitch becoming more prominent than the next. “Gramama.....?” I faltered, staring in horror as the cup of tea went flying, and she fell to the floor, convulsing horribly.
    A shard from the cup slashed my cheek, but I hardly took notice. “Gramama!” I yelled, and knelt next to her, trying to subdue her, to do something.
    I felt strong arms around me as Danicio pulled me away from her, and Silverleaf bent next to her, examining her. Silverleaf quickly laid a long, thin finger on her forehead, then on her eyelids. She grew still and limp. Danicio's face was tight. “Silverleaf, quickly!”
             I backed away, frightened. Talut had taken some quilts down and laid them on top of Gramama as Danicio laid her down on her bed. Silverleaf had disappeared and now reappeared with a small, dark green pouch.
             Silverleaf quickly took a small vial out of the bag, and leaned over Gramama. Danicio turned and placed a hand on my shoulder, steering me out of the cottage. “What's going on?!” I gasped.
             Danicio took me a little ways away and didn't answer. “What's happening to her?!” I yelled.
             “She experiencing the aftereffects of her work,” Danicio said carefully.
             “Her work?” I asked, frightened. “What work? Is she going to die?”
             Danicio hesitated. “Yes,” he said quietly.
             I froze. “No. No!” I started to run back inside but Danicio grasped my shoulders.
             “Stay out here! Silverleaf is doing everything he can to save her!” Danicio growled.
             I stood still. “No. She can't. She can’t die.”
             “I'm sorry,” Danicio said softly.
             A tear trickled down my cheek as my mind went numb. The tear fell off of my cheek and fell to the ground, one lonely, crystal shard, and splattered onto the grass, letting off millions of bits of crystals everywhere. More followed.
             Danicio gently held me. “Ssh, Tyra. Don't worry. We'll take care of you.”