Chapter 5

I am no stranger to navigating the Landiani Jungle at night. As I move through the jungle, I easily recall that stormy evening when my mother, sister, and I escaped back to Landiani. In the days that followed, we moved solely at night when we would be guaranteed increased safety from the Magnuvian soldiers. During that time, I became familiar with the jungle's darkened atmosphere, to the point that I had once thought myself indifferent to travelling by night.

I fear I was wrong.

My hands tremble, causing the light from my torch to shake with my movements. Beyond the creatures that I know lurk in this jungle, I am fearful my mother has woken and is already pursuing me.

And yet, despite the panic that fills my body, the night is calm. The pleasant sound of crickets and frogs fill the air, mixed with the soothing whoosh of an ocean breeze that weaves through the trees. In the distance, I can hear the sound of the ocean waves growing fainter as I move deeper into the jungle.

I pause shortly into my journey to retrieve my map and compass for guidance. Thankfully, the compass confirms that I am trekking north. I hold my torch to the map, knowing that as long as I locate the Otakoro River and follow its course, I can make it to Kilneu. I change my position west and move towards the river. After about a half hour of walking, I begin to hear the gurgling of freshwater.

I tread carefully as the sound of currents grows louder. The mud can grow thick around these parts of the jungle, and with the foliage being dense, there is no telling whether I am about to step into the river itself. I move branches aside carefully, until finally, my torchlight reflects on the rushing river, about one hundred steps away. Relieved to have found my natural marker, I shift my direction back north.

I pause before I take my next step and let out a deep breath. Am I really ready to do this? From here on out, it will be difficult to return.

I glance up, finding that it's hard to see the stars with the trees stretching so tall, but through the gaps of the leaves, I can make out glimpses of them in the night sky. I remember that night in Esterpool when Asteria and I confessed our feelings for each other and kissed in her window against the stars. Already, I felt a need to protect her then, and as I stare up at the same night sky, I feel the same need. I grip my pack tight to my body and continue on.

I must be a few miles from Satavau from now, which lessens my chances of running into any soldiers. However, I keep on high alert and feel the hilt of the knife hanging from a loop in my belt in case I run into any unwanted visitors.

I stop once or twice for a water break and to chew on a few nuts, but otherwise, I keep moving, knowing it is vital I try to trek as far as I can during the night hours. My eyes grow droopy once or twice. I curse myself for not sleeping enough during the day to make up for my long journey, but thankfully, the sound of a twigs snapping or a leaf shaking jolts me awake in the hours that I feel sleep on the horizon. I remind myself that there is an inn waiting for me in Poallu, but I cannot risk stopping anywhere else to sleep until then.

When the foliage grows even denser, I know that the Landiani Caves must be nearby. I can recall how coming from Tetoa, there was a similar natural barrier. The jungle is wise to disguise the caves that way. No one else would dare enter deeper into the jungle if they didn't already know its secrets. I wonder then if it was foolish of me to turn down Kiana's crystals. I have no idea what waits for me in Kilneu, and my physical strength will not be in top form after skipping sparring lessons.

I shake my head, trying to will the thoughts away. My drowsiness and anxiety over the journey must be clouding my judgment. I made my decision, and I will stick by it.

Thankfully, the growing dawn distracts me from any other unwelcome thoughts. As light invades the jungle, I can travel more easily, but that also means it will be harder to disguise myself. At the very least, I have made it through the hardest part of my journey, and I should be at a far enough distance that my mother and sister cannot pursue me so easily if they were to leave as soon as they woke and noticed me missing.

I smile to myself. In only two hours, I will be at the Kilneu border.

With this in mind, I allow myself a break and settle down on a nearby log, watching the morning rays of the sun slowly peak through the leaves. I chew on some dried fish and crackers, careful not to indulge myself even though my stomach is rumbling. I take off my shoes and rub my sore feet, knowing I will have to grow used to the pain. I still have several more hours to go until I make it to the Kilneu border.

As I begin to pack up and get myself ready to take on more of my journey, I hear the tumbling of nuts onto the forest floor. I turn and gasp, seeing a mouse has chewed through the bag.

"Hey! Quit it!" I shout, shooing it away.

The small rodent scurries off, and I collect as many of the nuts as I can, but ultimately have to leave a handful discarded. I tie some fabric around the broken bag, furious at the mouse, but also a little humored too. I hate to admit that my journey has been lonely thus far, and to hear myself speak for the first time since leaving Satavau is comforting. I wish I could believe I won't feel too lonely in the distant future, but not knowing what Kilneu holds, I have to accept I'll most likely be on my own for quite some time.

To my feet's dismay, I begin my journey again, and the aching thankfully becomes more bearable the more I walk. The sun rises with each step I take, and as I continue along the Otakoro River, the tree line is beginning to thin. I realize that within only an hour or so, I should reach the country of Kilneu.

I do my best to stay within the treeline, especially since I know I will be nearing the Landiani village of Otakoro soon. Though there are no sea caves in Otakoro due to the higher elevation of the town on treacherous sea bluffs, there will still be soldiers patrolling near the border. I pull my hood over my head and smear some mud on my face again, knowing that although it's not a flawless disguise, it will look less suspicious from afar.

As I continue north, I begin to see the shape of the Kilneu Mountains in the distance. I stare in awe at the sheer magnitude of them. If my feet hurt now, I can't imagine how much they'll ache trekking up there. The sight alone makes me want to give up, but I need to try. I've made it this far already.

Through the treeline, I see a bridge leading across the Otakoro River. It is old and wooden, but it still holds sturdy. That must be the path that leads to Otakoro. I nearly lurch that way but stop myself. Though my grumbling stomach and aching feet would benefit from a break in a nearby village, I know it's far too risky. I'm slightly saddened, as I would have loved to spend my final few hours in Landiani resting in an inn and glimpsing out at the ocean before leaving my country behind, but I know I must keep trekking northwards.

My movements freeze when I hear chatter in the distance. I glance back at the bridge, seeing a group of soldiers chatting with each other. I crouch in the treeline. What are they doing out here so close to the jungle?

Once they cross the bridge, they keep towards the side of the river, the direction I am unfortunately heading towards. I should change my course, but I follow them, wondering what business brings them outside of Otakoro. I do my best to eavesdrop, only making out a few words about the border.

I curse quietly to myself. I figured there would be more patrols at the border, but one of the few perks of the empire was that everyone has always been welcome to cross borders freely. If there are new security protocols, that will make my journey into Kilneu much more difficult.

I pick up my pace, hoping to hear more of what they're discussing, but then my foot catches on a root, and I splay out on the ground. I hiss in pain and reach for my fallen belongings, hoping I haven't made too much commotion. However, through the trees I can see that the soldiers' heads have turned.

I freeze, trying to decide my next course of action, when a gunshot ripples through the forest. I cover my ears. Birds let out loud chirps and fly from the trees. The bullet is lodged in a nearby tree trunk, several feet from me, but too close for my liking.

"Who's there?!" one of the soldiers shouts.

"Reveal yourself!" another says.

I hear their footsteps approaching, and when I hear the click of a trigger, I make a run for it. I have to bite my lip to withhold a shriek as another gun goes off.

I race deeper and deeper into the jungle, learning quickly that that the terrain of the jungle is not made for racing. I'm constantly changing course, looking for quick ways to bypass overturned tree roots and dense bushes. The soldiers sound farther away, but their voices are still audible. I keep running, but I know the longer I do so, the more off course I will go.

Eventually, I find a small tree. I have not climbed one in years, but I force myself up its trunk and branches until I am seated semi-comfortably between its branches. I tremble and wait quietly.

To my dismay, the soldiers voices grow closer. However, it would be too late for me to run again without getting caught. I remain hidden in the branches and hold my breath as they draw nearer.

"The jungle is getting too thick," I hear one say.

"I'm certain whoever is out here went that way," comes the voice of the first soldier, who shot his gun at me.

"It was probably some animal," the third replies.

"And here I hoped we could hunt someone from Landiani down today," the first soldier complains. "Border patrol is nowhere near as interesting as being stationed in the villages."

I seethe at his comment but relax when their voices gradually fade. I wait a couple minutes before I descend down from the tree. I glance around, trying to find my bearings. If I head back west towards the river, I'm sure the soldiers will still be lingering, so I will have no choice but to continue from my current location.

I'm angered by the detour and for losing valuable time, but if it means saving my life, then I have to accept the trouble. I head north once more, finding the path less clear and harder to navigate. The treeline begins thinning rapidly now, and in the distance, all I can see is grassland. It's a welcome change from the jungle, but something that will no doubt make it harder for me to disguise myself. Save for the mountains and the dense woodland forest that lay at the mountain's base, I can start seeing miles ahead of me now. Kilneu is not far.

As I begin to make my way out of the jungle, I glance west, seeing now what the soldiers were talking about. About a mile away, I can see a group of soldiers stationed near the path that leads to Otakoro. Magnuvia must have stepped up its defenses among the most widely travelled sections of the border.

I turn around and take one last glimpse at the jungle vanishing behind me. I expect the same melancholia to fill my veins as when I traveled with Taika to Esterpool all those months ago. However, when I turn my back to Landiani now, sadness does not greet me, but rather excitement at the thought of a better future.The next time I step back into Landiani, it will be because life is better. It will be because Tetoa will be waiting for me to come home to. I promise myself that.

I briefly wonder what my mother and sister are doing after finding me gone. Will they have gone looking for me? Or will they continue on like normal, expecting me to either come back, or never return? I'm quite certain of the answer, but I do not dwell on it long.

From this moment forward, I am on my own.

I leave the jungle of Landiani behind and enter into the grasslands of Kilneu, thankfully undetected by the Magnuvians' border patrol in the distance. I pull out my map again to locate the town of Poallu. In the distance, I can make out the shape of buildings. That will be my home for the night.

Though I had hoped to take the traveling road up to Poallu, I decide to forge my own path now that I know soldiers are lurking. The journey is surprisingly calm and peaceful, especially when I glance around at the golden grass and trees littered with red and orange leaves. Autumn is a foreign season to me, but it's as beautiful as described.

I'm reminded suddenly of the green hills of Esterpool. I wonder if they look golden just as the grasslands of Poallu do. My gaze turns east, towards where Esterpool lies. I sigh, thinking it silly that I would yearn over a town in Magnuvia of all places.

During the next few hours of my journey, I notice how quiet Kilneu is. We were always taught that it was the least populated country in the Magnuvian empire, and the lack of travelers certainly proves it. I can make out one or two horse drawn carriages in the distance – traders from Kilneu, no doubt, but otherwise, it is eerily empty.

Winds from the west begin to bring clouds into the area, transforming the sky from blue to gray. Thankfully, the town is coming into closer view, enough that I can discern the wooden beams of buildings and shapes of people and animals. The wind picks up, beginning to bite at my clothing. I draw my hood tight and hold it with my hand, not daring to let it fall as I approach Poallu.

The closer I get to the town, the more unimpressed I should be, but even just a few buildings with some stables for horses are a welcome sight. My legs feel heavier seeing how close it is, but I force myself to hasten my pace.

The town doesn't appear busy, but I can already see the metal gear of soldiers who are spread in various corners of Poallu. I approach confidently but keep my head slightly lowered. Thankfully, no soldiers guard the town's entrance. In fact, with the sun beginning to set, I watch a handful take off to what I can only assume is the town's tavern so they can drink.

As I enter Poallu, I scan my surroundings. I'm quick to notice the three wanted posters on a nearby billboard, calling for the arrest of myself, Kiana, and Mama. There was a part of me that hoped these signs were only being hung around Landiani, but now I know that there will be soldiers looking out for me no matter where I travel. I cannot be out here long with my face plastered around the town, as poor of an illustration it may be. Thankfully, I spot a sign on a building north of me that says "INN" in large, painted letters.

I step inside, happy to be free from the presence of soldiers and the wind that has grown swifter and colder as the day has continued. Inside, the inn is quiet. A fireplace crackles slowly in the central room, and a few guests walk down the hallway towards their rooms. There is an elderly Kilneu man behind the counter with an arched back and a cane that he uses to lean on. As he smiles at me, I notice a few of his teeth missing.

"Welcome," he says. "Are you in need of a room?"

I approach cautiously, not sure if he recognizes me. If he does, I can only hope he will give me the same treatment as those kind shopkeepers in Satavau did.

"Yes," I say meekly.

The man nods, beginning to piece through the keys on the wall for a room. Suddenly, he takes a second glance at me. I freeze, but his next words relax me.

"Landiani, huh? I'll give you the room in the back," he says quietly. "The soldiers have not been kind to your folk recently."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Are there are any food stalls around her?"

The man nods. "Yes, but they've all closed for the day. The tavern is open though, and the food they serve is decent. The soldiers like to drink up all the liquor though if you were hoping to enjoy some."

I nod. "Thank you."

I exchange my cash for the key, noticing that my funds from my maid positions have been growing more and more slim. At this rate, I will not make it a few more days before running completely out of money.

I put this thought past me, hoping it is something I can work out once I get to Kilneu. I quickly locate my room in the back of the building and unlock it. As I step inside, I see that the room is not much besides a simple twin bed and a bedside table. I gulp, realizing that there is only an outhouse in the way of bathrooms. Suddenly I miss the luxury of living in Esterpool.

I leave the room briefly to relieve myself and gather some water from the well outside for my room. Once back inside, I wet a cloth to rid the dirt from my body after my long journey. I change into some more comfortable clothes and nibble on some more of my food. My stomach grumbles at the thought of eating a decently sized meal at the tavern, but I can't risk it with soldiers lurking nearby and my diminishing funds. I eat enough to leave me satisfied, then settle into bed. As worried as I am to travel into the mountains tomorrow, sleep claims me in a matter of minutes.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The following morning, I wake to a clouded sky and temperatures colder than I have ever felt in my life. Even under the sheets of my bed, my body trembles for warmth. I would be content laying in bed forever, especially with my aching muscles from the prior day's travel, but today I plan to make it into Kilneu, and I cannot afford to linger. I quickly dress for the day, gather my belongings, and return the key, quietly thanking the man behind the counter once more for the secluded room.

When I step outside, my breath comes out in wisps. Frost clings to the grass. The clouds hang on the mountains I will soon climb up. It doesn't look like I'll be afforded as nice weather as I hoped. However, the town of Poallu is at least peaceful in the morning as dawn arrives. Soldiers are nowhere to be found, and only a few villagers pass through the streets.

I look for some of the stalls the man at the inn mentioned and find only two open. One woman sells some fresh berries, and a man sells fresh rabbit jerky. Both are not delicacies I have ever tasted before, but with no other options, I'm forced to buy. Even more annoyingly, the shopkeepers are stingy, attributing their high prices to the fall weather and low inventory. I sigh and give in, losing more money than I intended to so early into the day.

Without another thought, I leave Poallu and travel northward. I chew on the berries I purchased, finding that they are least sweet and tasty. The grasslands are transforming into forest, though these woods are different than the tropical ones of my hometown. The trees are thick and tall, and the colorful leaves I witnessed earlier in my journey to Kilneu have now all been replaced by green pine needles.

The forest is a beauty to behold. I remember suddenly Asteria's dreamlike reminiscence of the great forests that used to fill Magnuvia before the country foolishly depleted all their own resources. As I walk through the woods, I wonder if this is what Magnuvia looked like centuries ago. Then, I curse myself for that thought, knowing Magnuvia is still my enemy and that Asteria is supposedly engaged and wants nothing to do with me.

I reach Sura, a small settlement near the base of the Kilneu Mountains, in the early afternoon. To my dismay, the weather hasn't improved. In fact, it has gotten colder as the day has gone on. I stare up at the Kilneu Mountains before me, shocked by the magnitude of them. I wonder nervously how I will make it up the pass in such steep terrain.

I glance out over the small town of Sura. Whereas Poallu was made up of a number of settlements, Sura contains only a few buildiungs. As quiet as I thought Poallu was, Sura feels even more like a ghost town. I enter into the heart of town slowly, not seeing a single soul. If there are soldiers, they must be taking shelter inside.

I walk around for a few minutes, desperately searching for any signs of life, when a crochety old woman suddenly calls out to me.

"You there! Are you lost?" she asks.

I turn, spotting the elderly woman sweeping the porch of a building to my right.

"No," I say. I haven't seen my wanted posters pasted on buildings in this town, but I cannot say for certain whether she will recognize me. "I'm planning on heading up the mountain pass."

She looks at me curiously. "There's a storm coming, you know. Is that what you're planning to wear?"

I glance down at my outfit. "I have another coat in my bag."

She sighs and motions me towards her. As I approach, I see the sign in the window advertising the building as a general store. The wind picks up again, blowing my hood from my face so that she gets a clear look; however, she seems unbothered by my appearance.

"Come inside," she says, opening the door for me.

I enter, seeing a rather small shop stocked with winter garments, non-perishable food, and other items for a long journey.

"You'll freeze to death in what you're wearing," the shopkeeper says, eyeing me up and down. "Better buy something warmer before making your way up the pass, and better hurry too. The snow showers will be here before you know it."

"It won't really snow, will it?" I ask as I glance at some of the items. "I thought there was more time..."

"When you get to be my age, you know when a winter storm is on the horizon. My bones have been aching all morning from the cold. There will be snow by the end of the day. I'm sure of it."

I gulp, hoping she's wrong, but I know it would be best for me to heed her words.

"What would you suggest I buy, then?" I ask, looking through her winter garments.

She points out a few large coats to me, as well some protective pants, but as I go through my wallet, I realize I can't afford much. I hope that she will be willing to make a deal with me, but when I start negotiating, she remains firm in her prices.

"Best I can offer you is this coat," she says, holding out a dark coat that is at least thicker than what I currently have. However, it is nowhere near as warm looking as some of the other clothing in her shop.

I bite my lip, but I know I have no other options, especially if the first snow storm of the season is approaching. The clothes I have now won't carry me safely up to the mountains. I've been shivering enough just on the journey here.

With a deep sigh, I hand over the remainder of my savings to purchase the winter coat.

The shopkeeper counts through the stack of cash carefully, then eyes me once more. "You're from Landiani?"

"Y-Yes."

"I can't understand why you're traveling to the mountains, but careful of the cold. Even the Magnuvians don't understand just how frozen it can get," she says.

"Thank you," I say. I glance around. "Is there somewhere I can change?'

She points to a closet in the back. I thank her and step inside, moving around some cleaning supplies until I can find an empty space to change into my warmer items. Once I get everything on, I layer the coat on top. I already fear it won't be enough, but it will have to do for now. Perhaps if I hike fast enough, I can make it up the pass before it even begins snowing.

When I exit the closet, I stiffen to see the shopekeeper talking with a soldier. I consider making a run for it, but the soldier would grow suspicious. Instead, I pivot my body, trying to keep my head lowered as I move towards the shop's exit.

"That work out for you?" the shopkeeper calls out to me. The soldier spins his head around too.

Thankfully, my cloak is layered on my head once more. I give a slight nod, not showing my face, and raise my hand in thanks before slipping out. Once my feet touch the ground outside her shop, I begin running, just in case the soldier grows suspicious of me.

I only have to run a few minutes before I find the signage that labels the beginning of the mountain pass. I glance upwards, and my heart quickens in nerves. The mountain peaks are no longer visible due to the heavy clouds. Suddenly the dream of making it to Kilneu before it snows seems impossible.

A wise person would wait out the storm and try to travel another time, but now that I know there is a soldier lingering in Sura, I can't risk going back. I'm out of money and resources. The only way forward is to Kilneu.

I grip the straps of my backpack and begin hiking.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A few hours into the journey, my legs scream in pain, and my lungs ache from the cold. The air up here is thin, and I have to stop frequently to take sips of water and catch my breath. The sky has continued growing darker from the clouds, but I keep hiking, even if reaching the top feels like an impossible feat at this point.

It must be later in the afternoon when I see something white fall from the sky. It lands delicately in my palm before melting on the warmth of my skin. I pause and glance upwards as more white matter trickles down from the clouds, floating and twirling delicately in the wind.

Snow.

I stand in awe, a smile coming to my face. I've never seen snow before, much less witnessed it fall from the sky. The world appears to go quiet as snow begins to fall softly on the ground. I stand watching it for a few minutes before continuing on in my journey. This snowfall is light and is barely forming any patches. It should still be safe to continue.

I enjoy the snow for many minutes longer, but then as I approach the mountain's peak, the snow begins to change. It comes down more quickly and in thick sheets. The ground starts to become icy underneath my feet. I almost lose balance multiple times.

The farther I ascend, the more it snows, and a light blanket begins to coat the ground. Still, it must be another hour or two until I make it up to Kilaun, the closest settlement to the mountain pass. The only way to go is forward.

Despite my willpower, the journey starts to become much more treacherous the farther I climb. The snow has already coated the mountaintop as I climb higher and higher. I stick my feet through inches of snow, gasping in pain as the snow wets my pants and shoes. My limbs are becoming numb and cold, but I persist.

It's only a few minutes later when the weather takes a turn for the worst. The wind howls wildly, and the snow comes down so thick that it's hard to see even a few steps in front of me. The fear begins to set in then as I stumble blindly through the snow. I can't even say for sure if I'm following the mountain pass trail. My fingers and toes hurt terribly, and even when I stop to try to warm them, nothing will help.

I try to focus on taking one step at a time, but doing so becomes harder and harder when the snow comes down so thick that the cold weather bites at my body. In the chaos of the storm, I fail to see a rock buried under the surface of the snow, and I trip, falling face forward. I groan as I sit up and try to wipe the snow from my face and body. My clothes are becoming more damp now, making my body feel even icier.

I stand up and walk, only to collapse after a few more seconds from exhaustion. I lie with my back in the snow, staring up at the sky and listening to the wind howl around me. I shut my eyes, thinking how foolish I was to try to make it up here on my own. Perhaps this is where I will die. Never again will I see my mother and sister, Lagi or Palila, or even...Asteria.

I open my eyes then, trying to see if I can will myself upwards for her, but my body is too cold and aching. In the distance, I can hear the sound of barks, or maybe a howl. I let out a groan, despising the fact that a wolf is now apparently hunting me too.

My vision starts to fade to black, until a few minutes later, when I feel white fur on my face. I am too exhausted to panic over the wolf that's most likely going to eat me. Instead, I am more concerned about the figure I see in the distance approaching me. I drift in and out of consciousness, worried a Magnuvian soldier is coming to arrest me, but I have no energy to run away. I remain lying in the snow, accepting my fate to either be eaten by the wolf or taken by the soldier.

As the man grows closer, it's hard to tell if he's a soldier, but I can make out his heavy snow gear. I feel him lift me in his arms, and then all goes dark.