(7)

It had only been mere minutes until we reached the sand, the desert before the lush green hills of Tetop. It was a sad moment of goodbyes for Clint (as I have mentioned several times) could not journey past the snow line. Our Queen dismounted and petted his hard head. Clint was no idiot, and he did not want to be left behind. He, too, was something of a fugitive, and would surely be thrown into the furnace upon returning North. We all crossed the line (the flies still supporting Davidio) and turned back to Clint, who huffed in disapproval! We continued our march just a few more feet, when the screeching sound forced us to turn back. Clint had crossed the border, and was suddenly absorbed by a white light. Gabriella screamed, but all we could do was watch. Suddenly, slowly, the white vanished to reveal Clint still there! He was now cast of sand! How, it’s uncertain still to this day! Queen Gabriella raced and mounted her long-time friend. He continued our journey for a short time (for the desert-land wasn’t more than two miles or so). When we arrived to the borderline from sand to grass, green-green grass, it was no surprise when Clint charged through and became made of grass! The magic of that damn horse.

By this time, Davidio had been repaired enough to walk himself, and so had to say goodbye to his firefly friends. They would not last two minutes in this new territory, for there was much more wildlife that loved to feast on their blinking bodies. To ten million fireflies, he’s weird cause he hates goodbyes, he got misty eyes as they said farewell. I almost laughed because honestly, who the hell breaks down over such a thing, but I guess had they saved my life, I too would’ve been near tears.

Tetop was beautiful, soft and harmonious, filled to the brim with trees and flowers, and never-ending color. Much different than the bland North. I led the way, for I knew the path, and it was a matter of seconds before we came upon the Bridge Trolls. Although they were initially suspicious of my new friends, and that damn horse, I convinced them to give us passage, and so they did. They turned the massive wheel until the drawbridge door finally lowered to our feet.

“PEACE!” one of them oddly said as we entered. We didn’t turn back.