The storm was still raging when dawn came. What little sunlight made it through the heavy layer of clouds was weak and watery. Launi was shivering, but relativity dry. The tree had protected them from the worst of the storm.
It had been a terrifying night. Lightning struck the ground all around them, and Launi had feared their tree would be next, but it never was. The lightning never came close enough to harm them.
When the world began to lighten around them, Launi stretched and decided that since the storm showed no signs of passing anytime soon, they would push on. She felt a pressure to keep going, she had no idea what was happening back home and didn’t want her reluctance to travel in the storm be the reason she was too late to help her village.
Launi placed the bags back on Swift’s back and taking the reins, led him back out onto the trail and into the storm.
She kept a strong hold on the reins and moved slowly up the hill, carefully placing her feet in the mud. The rain soaked her through almost instantly. Part of Launi wanted to head back to the tree they’d spent the night under. Every time she thought this, though, the image of her entire village laying on the ground flashed through her head. She would continue on for them.
It was slow going. Launi had studied the map the night before by the light of the lightning and knew that no other trails intercepted theirs before the mountain pass. All she had to do was lead them along the partially hidden trail to the pass, they were nearly there.
Hours passed. Launi was shivering and her stomach rumbled with hunger. Swift followed her along the trail, never staging a protest, but she could tell he was tired as well.
By late morning, the storm had begun to weaken. The howling winds stopped fighting their every step and the rain stopped blinding them. Launi was grateful for the break, small as it was.
They had left the foothills behind and were now steadily climbing their way up to the pass. Launi’s breathe came quickly and her muscles screamed for a break, but she continued. Even if she had wanted to rest, there was nowhere safe or comfortable to do so.
The storm continued to weaken as the day passed. The hills still ran with rivulets of muddy rainwater, but Launi no longer felt as if the sky was beating her into the ground. The clouds had begun to lighten and more sunlight was let through, brightening the day and Launi’s spirits.
Launi stopped short when they finally made it over the last ridge. Two towering mountains stood on either side of the trail. The clouds were still low and shrouded the tops of the peaks in a wispy, rainy blanket. Launi suddenly felt very small staring at the narrow passage between the mountains. The ground here still led uphill but was much closer to level. A fact for which Launi was very grateful.
She continued to lead Swift instead of riding him. The trail here was still muddy; Launi didn’t want to risk him injuring himself.
As they moved through the pass, Launi continued to stare at the mountains in amazement. The glaciers glittered in the watery afternoon sunlight and small wiry trees sparsely spotted the landscape. They walked for another hour before they finally, and happily, reached the top of the pass.
It was here where Launi grudgingly decided the two of them needed a break. She sat down on a rock, not worrying about the fact that it was covered in water; she was already soaked through to her bones. Swift started grazing on the grasses poking through the mud.
Launi couldn’t stop staring at the world around her. She had never seen anything like it. She wished that her father could have been here with her. Darthax would have loved the towering peaks. Launi promised herself that she would bring him here when she got the chance.
An hour later, they were back on the trail, this time moving down towards the valley. The rain had lessened to a drizzle and the wind had died down to a light breeze. They had survived the storm.
We’re almost to the valley, not long now, Launi said to herself as the trail started to quickly drop in elevation.
Night began to take over from the day and Launi couldn’t lie to herself any longer. She needed to stop and get some sleep. The storm had kept her awake the entire night before and her muscles screamed for a break after traveling up and down hill all day.
Luckily larger trees had begun to appear again; they wouldn’t have to spend the night out in the drizzle.
Launi found a suitable one and led Swift under its branches. They settled in for the night, Launi once again leaning against the trunk.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered to herself. “Tomorrow we will be in the valley, tomorrow we can start looking for the witch.”
I have goose bumps!
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂