[Author’s Note: When Vincent & Marietta (read their story – here) set off from the West of Parvis, another couple crossed the Flusis River on the Eastern side. That other couple had farther to travel before meeting people, but they had less of a journey after their first contact. Thus, the other couple is already on their return trip while Vincent & Marietta receive instruction in Xifeat. This is that other couple’s story.]

“Well, look at that” says I to Thelma. “I told you I knew where I was going.” The forest, that we first met on this shore, now lies at our backs, and a narrow bed of rocks spreads between us and the Flusis River. 

One week passed since we left the Celsis Mountains; I kept telling Thelma that it took us a week to get to the mountains. She swore, though, we only needed three days. At last, there is the river exactly where we left it. 

Thelma applauds reaching the river, as she walks to a tall stump among the rocks. She says, “Oh, I’m glad to see it, Ollie.” She breathes in and out with a passing breeze. “That’s the first air I’ve felt since leaving Trouley, and I dare say you leaned your navigation lessons well from them.”

I turn to stare into the forest for a heartbeat before joining my wife on the stump. She looks out over the river, while I look back at the trees.  “Far be it from me to disagree with you, Dear.” I say, “I can’t believe how well I could see just enough of the constellations to travel by. The forests around Trouley in Diende were the perfect training ground. Those villagers were the kindest to take us in like that.” 

Thelma says, “Unbelievably kind, Ollie, and I do hope they understand our gratitude.” She trails off as her pale hand twirls in a breeze that decides to settle around us. 

We settle on the stump as the insects begin to sing. Water parades by in a steady march to calm our breathing from the trials of the forest. Even leaves join the tune for a delightful jig. 

Thelma’s sigh breaks the silence. She says, “We did it, Ollie.” She spins on the stump to place a hand on my shoulder. “Our family and friends told us that we’d never make it, yet here we sit.” 

Her hand slashes the air with a grunt. “No” says she, “We not only crossed the river, but we also crossed two forests, a mountain pass, and we are bringing home the Tolrsie to help those doubters.” 

I nod with a smirk and say, “We certainly are going to surprise a bunch of people. First, they’ll be shocked when we make it back, but what will they think if we can get the Tolrsie to graft onto our Biferush shrubs? 

Thelma leaps to her feet as her arms flail over her head. She says, “There’s no way we fail now. You did a marvelous job with the grafts in the village, even that guy from the Order of Light said so.”

Her enthusiasm wavers her hands to her hips. “The only question will be if I can be of any help. All my grafts died.”

I stand before padding the air between us. “Hold on,” I say, “you must be of help because you know how store the things, so everyone will get the most light out of the Tolrsie flowers. Remember that lady said they gave us plants that should have lost the glow in two days. They were still glowing when we left. The villagers trained us well, and we picked up on it better than they expected. 

“Still, I suppose there will be one problem.” I say with a plop back on the stump. “The growers may not be as big a fan of the Tolrsies as we are. They’ll have to pass two or three seasons before the Tolrsies take hold.” 

Thelma scoffs before reminding me that I got them to rotate their fields, and they’d never done that before either. She says, “Ollie, they’ll see that you can do it, and that’ll push them. Plus, they’ll definitely be on board when they can make a greater profit.” 

She turns, looking up the river with a sigh. “Still, they will not be happy about the time it takes, Ollie. We’ll find an answer for them though.” She shakes her head at the starry darkness around the river. “Speaking of a long process, we better find that canoe if the river hasn’t washed it away, or we’ll never get home.”

I push up from the stump and walk to Thelma. After wrapping my arm around hers, we set off up the stony bank. My navigation proves better than expected. Only ten or fifteen feet take us to the canoe. 

Thelma begins storing our gear with special attention to place the Tolrsies in one watertight compartment of the canoe. Meanwhile, I clear some brush from the canoe’s inside before lighting our dry Biferush torches. The torches sit in four straps at the front and back. 

“I know moonrise will happen soon, but this should get us started.” I say before asking if she is ready to go. After a single nod, she settles herself in the front to navigate. I put the oars on my seat in the middle and push us into the river. 

Pleasantly, a blue haze spreads across the sky as the dot of a moon rises past the trees. The black of the water takes a crisper shade as it reflects the blue, and the green of the forest recedes behind us as we drift toward home. With the stars gone, Thelma’s or only hope of reaching Parvis’ Eastern shore. Surely, we’ll be there before the moonsets. For now, I best get to rowing.