Chapter 117: The journey back
"I don't want to waste anymore time on our way back," Ceremus told the young knight as they exited Galatea's realm.
They were now back in the mountains, making their descent as they reached the village. Ceremus knew how tough it would be for Atilla to travel the next three days without rest, but since they had been gone longer than he had expected, he didn't want to delay their trip back any further.
He hadn't heard a single word back from Anemone after sending the letter, which worried him. Ceremus could only hope that by the time they got back, Hael would still be alive.
Atilla nodded his head, understanding how pressed for time they were. The young knight fought through his fatigue, and they were able to travel the next three days without stopping.
On the fourth day, feeling pity for the young boy, they made a quick stop at a tavern to get something to eat and then spent the night in a nearby inn.
As soon as dawn broke, Ceremus and Atilla were back on the road, pushing forward with renewed urgency. The moment of rest they had received did little to ease their exhaustion, but there was no time to waste. Ceremus noticed how the plant that seemed to glow a lovely yellow hue was fading. He didn't know whether it was his imagination playing tricks on him, but he didn't want to risk anything.
Tiresias had warned him that there was no one plant left and so he had to guard it safely. He didn't know if there was an underlying message hidden in his words as the old man often had a habit of speaking in metaphors, twisting and weaving his words to sound vague one minute, then more ambiguous the next.
If anything were to happen to the plant, he would have no other plan.
The roads were rougher now, winding through dense forests and treacherous cliffs. Atilla, though struggling to keep pace, clenched his jaw and pressed on, determined not to slow their progress. The boy's endurance was impressive, but Ceremus knew it had limits.
Still, the man didn't utter a single word of encouragement or comfort for he knew they wouldn't ease his pain. He made sure however, to remember to reward Atilla for his endeavours if they made it back safely.
They moved swiftly, and the surrounding air grew colder as they ascended another ridge. There was a strange energy in the air, one Ceremus couldn't ignore any longer. It felt as if someone was watching them—pursuing them but he couldn't get a grasp of where. There was something blocking him from sensing their presence.