The Portals of Tartae- the Land With the Two Moons

by Marcia Soligo

  “It’s time. We must go now!” Cordella announced and climbed onto her horse. The rest of the group followed her, galloping fast through the woods. Slowly, the group got once more into their peculiar formation, and they kept it for pretty much the whole day: Cordella, Alegra, Belenos and Orion in the front, Kirk, Alavro, and Bran in the back, and Olivia and Trevor riding in the middle.

  As they moved away from Belenos’ house, something in the air shifted slowly. It felt as though something was protecting that place, and as they got further away, this protection faded, and Lars’ influence could be felt. Stronger. Even in the air. They still hadn’t seen anything that resembled what Alavro and Cordella saw. Nothing as strange, nothing as horrifying. But it was possible to sense that that comforting peace of Belenos’ home and Lirianthis was gradually vanishing.

  The day was dawning, and they started to hear the animals in the Laliamo Forest waking up. Birds chirping, squirrels jumping over the branches, bunnies leaving their burrows. The sky was painted with the colors of the aurora, and at this point, they were already considerably far from the forest that they knew, taking hidden paths into the woods. Right now, Olivia only had one thought: she couldn’t be distracted for one minute. If she got lost, she wouldn’t have the faintest idea where she was or where to go.

  The group galloped north fast and didn’t make any stops. Cordella guided them deep into the Laliamo Forest through a path that was faintly marked on the forest floor, showing that it wasn’t used frequently. They would take wild turns, following a labyrinthine path that made no sense to Olivia and Trevor and the tracks left by the horses were quickly erased, completely covered by leaves, moss, and flowers. It was as if no one had been there for a while. Galloping through these woods was interesting and would give Olivia a lot to learn and think about if she weren’t passing by everything as fast as an arrow.

  There was no conversation during this journey. The fast pace wouldn’t allow it. Once in a while, Olivia and Trevor exchanged curious looks when the group took an unexpected turn, and both of them, who were still beginners in this whole riding horses thing, would almost fall off.

  They didn’t stop at all until the sun peaked in the sky. Which led Olivia to believe that it was midday, and her stomach growled as loud as thunder in a storm. Cordella started to slow down for the first time and waved her hand, telling the rest to stop.

  “Let’s eat something, rest for a bit and keep going,” said the witch, studying the place while looking all around. Everyone jumped off their horses and stretched. Apparently, this wasn’t only demanding for the beginners. Everyone looked fairly tired and famished. “Please, no fire. Don’t do anything that might draw unwanted attention,” said Cordella with a severe look.

  They stopped under an immense oak tree. Its trunk was thick and old, and its roots were tall, popping out of the ground and creating a cozy place to rest. There was nothing human in sight. There were only the colors of the forest and nature that grew wildly in this place. They all sat down close together and ate some nuts and pieces of honey bread that they had brought from Belenos’ house. Which was one of the best things Olivia had ever tasted in her life.

  “We are keeping a good pace. If we keep on like this, we will be at the Tria Plains when we expected,” said Orion, looking to the horizon and ready to resume the journey. Olivia remembered reading somewhere that the centaurs were strong, and their recovery time was considerably faster than the average human. Long journeys were easy for them, as it would require little of their physical capacity. These forest beings could easily achieve high speeds when galloping, much faster than a horse. Olivia wondered if Orion was bored and running much slower than he normally would just to keep up with the rest of the group.

  “I believe we can go even faster. Olivia and Trevor are more used to the horses now. They can handle it, I’m sure.” Kirk looked expectantly at Olivia and Trevor and was quickly joined by Alegra. Olivia and Trevor were too ashamed to say that they were having trouble keeping up with the group as it was and that they were afraid of falling. There was too much at stake now, and no room for complaints or concerns of this sort.

  “If we push to our limits now, we will be exhausted when we arrive in the Tria Plains. We won’t have energy, we won’t be able to fight. This is not your everyday journey, Kirk. This is different,” said Bran, who was already getting ready to leave, standing up and grabbing his things.

  “Bran is right,” said Alavro. “We need to save our strength, because we don’t know what’s waiting for us. Only the Gods of Fate know that now.”

  “And if we are being very positive, we need to remember that we’re only seven and a half days away from our doom!” said Trevor ironically, and Alegra gave a laugh that was almost too exaggerated for the joke or even for her style.

  Trevor was being sarcastic, but Olivia thought that this half day went by too fast. Which was good, but also scared her at the same time. It meant that they were half a day closer to facing Edmund Lars. Half a day closer to the biggest challenge of her life. Half a day closer to something that she didn’t know if she was ready for.

  The group left again. The break was fast, nothing more than fifteen minutes, and they were back to galloping fast through the thick forest. The food jumped all around inside Olivia’s stomach. She had no time to rest, and galloping just after eating was quite unpleasant.

  As they advanced, the scenery didn’t change much. They were traveling in between a great number of trees, and the sun could barely be felt due to the denseness of the forest. The roots of the ancient trees came out of the earth, making the path ahead of them seem impossible to cross. However, as they moved closer to the obstacles, their path was completely cleared, making way for the whole group to pass. Olivia asked herself what that spell was and when she could learn it. This enchantment was the only reason they were able to move through the woods so fast.

  The afternoon went by quickly, and the night brought with it a cold wind that made the journey scarier. The noises made by the wind sounded like voices whispering plans, making warnings that no one else seemed to hear or understand. Olivia shivered each time it howled, and she was shaking noticeably on her horse. Her eyes teared due to the piercing blasts that cut her face with no mercy whatsoever. She questioned if everyone else was feeling this way, as if they were being invaded by the wind and getting lost inside their own minds. As if that wasn’t enough, the strong gusts were also making the journey harder for the horses. Their efforts to run were much harder now, and the pace had slowed slightly.

  “We must respect the horses, Cordella,” protested Orion loudly so Cordella could hear. “They either need to slow down or to rest.” Cordella stopped and looked back.

  “Let’s slow down and keep going for three more hours, then we rest. Traveling through this forest in the deep of the night is not reasonable even in normal conditions. Imagine now.” She guided the group again, now galloping slower and more rhythmically. Sometimes, Alegra and Cordella would exchange words and looks, probably deciding the best way to go, the best path to follow. Olivia could barely hear anything from where she was. She was once more following Cordella blindly.

  “Olivia, put this on.” Bran got closer to the girl and handed her a plaid wool blanket. “You are shivering, and it’s only going to get colder from here on. You need to stay warm.”

  “Thank you, Bran. But I feel like this cold is coming from inside of me,” said Olivia, throwing the blanket over her shoulders and giving Bran a half smile.

  “I know this will be hard for you, but try not to pay attention to what happens in the forest, or what happens with the wind. That will make it easier for you,” advised Bran. “These are the Murmuring Winds. They protect the forest. But they must do you no harm.” He looked to the horizon of trees surrounding them. “Let’s go, we don’t want to be left behind.”

  The blanket was warm and made it easier for Olivia to keep going. The group got back to the usual formation at once, and Bran was gallopin
g a little bit behind her again. The wind still seemed to be whispering messages in the dark, and wolves were howling at a distance. The truth was that, if she wasn’t with these incredibly gifted and strong people, she would be crying in despair. She loved the forest, but these surroundings were giving her nothing but the creeps. And, as she’d told Bran, that wind was freezing her from inside out.

  They stopped again after hours of galloping. Once more, Cordella chose a place full of trees that could serve as shelter for the night. A night that was cold and had no stars. The weather once again seemed to reflect the mood of the mission. Those fresh days that smelled like wildflowers with clear skies full of stars appeared to be in the past. A moment that was long gone, lost in a happier time. The weather grew sinister as they got closer to their destiny. And nothing could make more sense.

  “My butt hurts from all this riding. And I feel like Skyscraper doesn’t want to look at me anymore,” complained Trevor, feeding some carrots to his horse, who really seemed to be in a bad mood.

  “Yeah, Trev … And that was only the first day,” said Olivia.

  “Don’t even talk about it. By the way, if the Portals were meant to share knowledge, why are there no cars in Tartae? Or something that would make our travels easier? No offense, Skyscraper, but horses are not very fast or comfortable,” said Trevor, petting the horse, who was already looking happier.

  “Some of the transportation you use in your world is not good. They mess with our environment. That’s what I’ve always heard. They fill the skies with dark clouds and make it harder to breathe. Tartae was never interested in that.” Bran jumped into the conversation, answering Trevor’s question. “How are you two feeling? Is it too hard to keep up with the pace?”

  “Easier than I thought,” said Olivia. “It was tiring and challenging sometimes, but far from impossible.”

  “Speak for yourself, Olivia. I’m broken. I need to sleep now!” said Trevor, walking to his improvised bed, right under an ancient oak tree and right next to Alegra, who was already sleeping.

  “I can already imagine how it’s going to be tomorrow … Trevor after a night sleeping on the forest floor!” laughed Bran.

  “I must admit that this isn’t my first choice for a bed either … I confess that I’m not looking forward to it, and it’s an experience that I’d gladly not repeat!” said Olivia. She continued in a more serious tone, “Bran, why is this forest … so strange? And why did Cordella say it’s not wise to travel around here, even not considering Lars?”

  “Maybe it’s not wise to travel anywhere in the dark of night. But usually, the Ancient Forest is a safe place, and even a nice place to visit. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. Cordella probably suspects that Lars is already experimenting with the Portals, and the forests are the first to feel this.”

  “But it wasn’t like that when we were in Belenos.”

  “You are right. But this is because Belenos is a good and powerful wizard. His magic protects that place more than we can measure or imagine, and it was protecting us too. He is the one the forest chose as a son. Lirianthis also vibrates with a different energy. If it comes to a day when these two places start to feel cold and unsafe like here, for example, there won’t be much hope left for Tartae … or for all the worlds.” Bran said. A heavy silence fell over them.

  “I felt as if the wind was whispering something.”

  “It’s normal, and that’s why I told you to ignore that. It will make your journey easier. Around here, the wind blows in the trees and seems to tell secrets. But it’s only a trick. A way to keep the dark out of the forest. You have no reason to worry, but the ones with evil intentions can go mad listening to the night whispers.”

  “One of those things you should have warned us before, don’t you agree?” challenged Olivia, smiling. Bran smiled back, and Olivia’s whole body warmed up for the first time since they entered these weird parts of the forest.

  The night was dark, different from when they’d arrived in Tartae and the two moons had brightened everything, making the night almost day. The wind was not howling anymore, but the weather was cold and humid, and the earth where they lay down to rest was freezing. However, Olivia slept much better than she expected. Maybe because she was so tired. But considering everything, this was almost a good night of sleep. No disturbing dreams or unsettling sensations. She just slept and rested like a tired child.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The Storm

  They woke up easily the next day. Apparently, sleeping on the bare ground and without all the comfort that Belenos’ house had to offer made sleeping in less interesting. They took only a few minutes getting ready to leave the campsite, and then they were quickly back to their journey. No one was up to conversations this morning; they exchanged only a few words while still on the improvised camping site. Even Kirk seemed serious and focused. The idea of keeping the same demanding pace for eight days and then facing Edmund Lars wasn’t very relaxing for any of them. Sometimes this realization seemed to suck all of their energy away.

  One of the biggest problems about the way they traveled in Tartae was that no one was given any time or opportunity to talk to anyone else. The horses would gallop fast and the sound they made was loud, making it too hard to carry on a decent conversation. Olivia could hardly remember the last time she talked to Cordella, but she couldn’t forget some questions she had for the witch. Cordella seemed to know so much more than she was sharing with Olivia, and Olivia couldn’t decide if Cordella didn’t have the time to tell her those things or if she simply chose not to do it, which would make more questions arise. If Cordella decided not to share all her knowledge, what were her reasons? Why she was exposing Olivia and Trevor to unimaginable dangers without giving them all the knowledge they needed? Olivia kept looking at Cordella from a distance, thinking about the conversations the two of them would probably never have, the things she would never learn from the witch. After all, if everything from now on went according to their plan, there would be no time for anything of that sort anymore, and Olivia and Trevor would be back to their homes in just a few days. They would be safe in the City of Leve, far away from any kind of magic, with no Portals to worry about and no Edmund Lars.

  They rode for long hours until Olivia could barely feel her legs. From time to time, she would exchange a deep look with Trevor, who clearly shared her worries and the same pains. Once again, they took a break to rest and eat. It was afternoon already, and Cordella chose a place on the edge of a thin stream so they could all fill up their water bottles and freshen up.

  Olivia and Trevor climbed down from their horses and went quickly to the river. The cold water was a breath of life for them. As Olivia washed her face, a peaceful sensation filled up her whole body. The river flowed quietly and got lost into the thick forest and on both edges, she could see some rocks and green plants that grew wildly.

  “Let’s keep following the river for a while, so we will have fresh water for at least part of our journey and we won’t get lost,” said Cordella, who was getting ready to leave. “Keep this in mind: if you get lost, follow along the river and you will find the rest of us. But try not to.” She was now looking at Olivia and Trevor exclusively. Both of them were still sitting and eating some pieces of banana and honey cakes.

  “We are in the heart of the Ancient Forest. This place is full of history and power, but also an easy place to find yourself completely lost,” warned Belenos. “Don’t listen to the howling winds or the wolves and you will surely be safe.”

  “I must say that I’m happy to learn that there are wolves in this forest,” joked Trevor.

  “Wolves and tricky winds. Feels like a great combination ... Let’s just make sure that we don’t fall off our horses.” Olivia got up, offering a helping hand to Trevor. There was something about this forest that was out of place. Even though these woods didn’t feel evil, everyone kept warning them about the dangers, and Olivia had this increasing sensation that she sh
ould be extra careful around here.

  The group soon left and went on along the river. Even when they couldn’t see it, they could still hear the water tinkling, following the flow. The forest didn’t seem to change much as they got deeper into its wilder parts. The trees and plants all around were the same. However, something in the air was getting heavier, and it was almost palpable. The forest was becoming less and less inviting and comforting. It was as if at this point, this was a place intended only for the forest beings and no one else. Anyone who would dare to go this far was an intruder. And the forest would make sure to treat them as such.

  Since they were now so deep in the woods, they were galloping slower, but it was still quite fast. The afternoon became night in the blink of an eye, and when they finally stopped to rest for one more night, the river noises were behind them. Too far to be heard or followed.

  After the day by the river, they journeyed for three days that went by almost uneventfully. They rode between trees and rocks and flowers. They saw the wild animals living their lives in the forest, swinging on tree branches and gathering food from the forest floor. They made short breaks and tried to keep their insanely fast pace. After being on the road for five days, they all felt it in their bones. Some more than others. They traveled rapidly through the Ancient Forest, which covered the whole way until the Tria City, where the Tria Plains were located. By the time they arrived in Tria, they would be only a day and a half away from the ruins where Edmund Lars was hiding. They were getting closer now.

  On the morning of the fifth day, they traveled relentlessly until they finally stopped for lunch. Everyone had deep dark circles under their eyes, except for Belenos and Orion, who looked close to perfect. As if the tiredness didn’t have the same effect on them as the others. It was a cloudy afternoon, which was good, because there was now a cool refreshing breeze, and it made the once warm way much more agreeable.