Peli's Journey : Chapter 9

My Funny Valentine, Sweet Comic Valentine... Stay, everyday is valentine's day. -Incomplete Lyrics from an ancient tome.

“It's just the two of us now.”

The forest road was unusually peaceful. The sun silently streamed through the canopies, and it reminded Peli of the first time he stepped into the forest outside Alyssia. He had been full of excitement then, and walking through this new forest, all he could feel was a quiet peace. An unnamed songbird trilled somewhere in the forest, making the silence more alive, and less intimidating. After a night of good rest, both remaining travellers seemed fully rejuvenated.

Peli turned to look at the man who had come this far with him. It wasn't an easy journey, and Han'li had changed. His roguish face had lost the boyish charm and was replaced by a hardened toughness that was a result of their journey together.

Han'li turned and smiled at Peli. In Han'li's eyes, Peli had changed too. The bewildered and innocent kid was gone, but what remained was the passionate and idealistic young man who was so focus on his destination it was fearsome.

They looked at each other for a moment, and burst out laughing.

“We have come a long way.” Han'li sighed contently.

“Han, thank you for travelling my journey with me.” Peli smiled, but there was something different in that smile. Han'li looked at Peli with uncertainty and replied carefully, “We are not yet at Elyia yet, so there is no need to thank me.”

“So what after we reached Elyia? Will you have your own journey?” The smile on Peli's face seemed to broaden, but Han'li couldn't tell. He looked at Peli for a look moment, and finally let out a long sigh.

“Peli, I just want to be with you.” Han'li lowered his head and stared at the ground. He noticed how close the two pairs of feet really were. Since when had they become so close to each other? Since when had he allowed Peli to be so near that he could no longer entertain the thoughts of parting?

An open palm reached into his view. On Peli's palm lay a necklace made of leather thong and what seemed like a teeth of a carnivorous animal.

“Remember the tiger that you killed? I made two necklace with its long canine teeth. This is yours.”

Han'li raised his head and looked at Peli in puzzlement. Peli chuckled at Han'li's reaction and put the necklace around Han'li's neck. Peli's arms, however, remained encircling Han'li even after the necklace was put on.

“I love you Han, and I want to be with you too. From now on, will you stay with me, until the day either of us die?”

The declaration of love came as a shock to Han'li. He never quite expected it to happen this way. And being a man of action and few words, he sealed his promise with a kiss, on the lips.

XXX

“So what about your journey to Elyia?” Han'li held Peli's hand. It was comforting to be able to express his love.

“Well, we are almost there!” Peli pointed in front, where the forest path slowly opened up to a village sign. The big, white words said, “Elyia”.

The couple arrived before the sign and for a moment they fell silent. So this is Elyia. The destination of their journey. Peli peered into the village. For a moment, he thought he had returned to Alyssia. There was a quaint peacefulness to this village which reminded him of his own village.

Han'li putted an arm around Peli.

“We are finally here.”

“Was it worth it for you?”

Peli smiled, but did not answer that question. He simply snuggled closer to Han'li.

He fished out a black stone from his pouches.

“Who should I give the stone to, now that I have arrived?” Peli murmured to himself.

XXX

The shepherd of Alyssia, Hydus, had just turned 18 that day. As usual, he was herding the sheep home at sunset with the help of his loyal shepherd dog. He was just wondering what to do for his birthday while he noticed two strangers at the entrance of the village.

They looked like savages, dressed in coats and robes made of animal skins. Maybe they were lost? Hydus tried to pass by without being noticed, but he was stopped.

“Greetings, how is your day?”

Hydus looked at the person who stopped him, and was surprised to find out that he was rather young too, even though the weathered face probably made him looked older that he actually was.

“It's good, thank you. Where do you guys come from?”

“Far away. You heard of Alyssia?”

Hydus' eyes lit up at the mention of the name.

“Alyssia! The Heavenly town of Alyssia! I have heard so many stories about it. You really came from there? How is it like?”

The stranger seemed to pause for a moment, and then smiled widely.

“I don't know. It's been a while since I left Alyssia. Why don't you go and find out?”

The stranger fished out a black stone and pressed it against the palm of Hydus.

A journey ended, another began.

Sun set, Sun rise, and in a new day something had changed again.