Submission (#2454) Approved

Resonance Quest: Face Your Fears

“Hurry up Tally!” shouted a familiar voice, and the kittom opened her eyes slowly. She'd been taking a nice nap, all curled up, and totally forgotten her friends would be waiting for her. She looked outside the window and saw Aurelio and Drace standing there, waiting for her.

She cursed under her breath and managed to pull herself off the bed and start to get ready.

She then remembered what day it was - Drace was being packed off to Zevija. It was quite a trip, and he'd see sights she'd only dream of. To mark the occasion, Aurelio had suggested they at least travel part of the way there to show their support. They wouldn't be leaving Strynhalde, but they'd make it passed the broken glaciers and snowy terrain of their home, towards the arid climate at the mouth of Ahza. It would take about two days to reach it, what with their little paws, but they were all committed to the cause.

“I'm up, I'm up” she growled groggily at the door when a knocked came on it.

Within minutes she was downstairs and out the door.

“About time” Aurelio snorted, before patting his friend on the back.

All set, the trio left the village. Their journey was blessed with fine weather on the outset, no falling snow in sight, and the covering currently on top was sturdy enough for them to walk along it, being very light on their feet like most kittoms.

“Are you looking forward to travelling, Drace?” Tallulah queried. The boy looked a little glum, and the other could instantly tell that he was rather dreading it. Over the last week he'd weeped over the map they'd been using to plan his trip more than once or twice.

“The elder said all Kits need to travel at one point or another. It's how we grow up, gaining new experiences. I always thought weedy Drace would be the last of us to develop but I guess now that role suits you better Tally” Aurelio teased, and the female kittom hissed at him playfully. “I can still tackle you to the ground, grown or not” she quipped back.

Tallulah had spoken often of her love for their homeland. She was perfectly suited for it after all, though when they spoke of far off places. She couldn't help feel a little jealous. Aurelio joked he'd follow their friend into Ahza and beyond, his thirst for adventure was quite strong indeed. But he wouldn't do that to his family, not without telling them first, surely?

They stopped near a bank and caught some rest, Tallulah being the first to open up a sandwich, one of many that had been prepared and backed for the trip there. They all had packed enough for both Drace's full trip (and beyond in his case), and her and Aurelio's trip back home. Their packs were heavy with equipment to keep themselves safe and fed – everything from basic traps to pots and pans attached to their bags. Sleeping mats were rolled up and trussed to the front of their backpacks, though they didn't plan to use them much, it was always a good idea to have one handy. Assorted utensils dangled from hooks and pockets on the fabric, and what their bags couldn't carry, they held onto their person on belts. True adventurers, they were ready for anything.

Well, almost anything, in some cases.

“You got a light? I forgot to bring mine” Aurelio queried his friend as they continued on past the last familiar ridge of their home. Tallulah nodded, producing a small lantern that hung from her travel bag, then replacing it back on for later. How they would light it they'd work out a little later, but if they needed to make a fire for cooking, they could work out how to move it to a small lantern for light in the night-time.

“If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go Aurelio?” Drace queried the older boy, keen to get his friends perspective on life – anything to take him mind off where they were actually going. The gold and blue kittom thought seriously for a moment.

“Lots of places have merit. Zevija is pretty much the opposite of this place, so that's on the list. Kyendi for sure also, I'd love to sit and watch the floating isles”.  

Drace nodded, and mentioned he'd have to let Aurelio know how Zevija was when he got back.

“Time to keep going. We'll need to find a place to rest before nightfall after all, it's not far off this time of year” Tallulah called to them both after a while, and silently the boys got ready. Their minds were clearly on other things at that moment, but Tallulah wasn't going to pry. Boys will just be boys.

The next day, and they all woke bright and refreshed. The proximity to the heat of Ahza was evident the closer they got – in places they could even see the ground underneath all the snow around them, and it blew their little minds, having never seen grass or even fresh earth before now. Then hot air hit their faces as the opening between desert and ice came into view.

“We're here” Tallulah announced, her tone rather flat.

Drace had his eyes closed, possibly enjoying the heat for a change. Perhaps change wasn't all that scary after all. He walked a few paces, officially leaving his homeland for the first time, before turning back to his friends with a soft smile.

“Thanks for coming guys, and making me feel better. We'll see each other again soon!” he spoke, his speech short but clearly rehearsed. They all hugged, before parting ways with tears in their eyes.

The two maned kittoms remained turned back the way they came after losing sight of their friend in the distance. They made good time, and eventually came back to the frozen lake where they had taken their break the other day. Except, the ice lake had now started to break up. It could no longer be walked across.

“We should go around” Tallulah recommended, remembering the advice of her elders.

“That's gonna take forever, I'm going to hop across. Follow me if you're brave enough!” he teased, kicking off the hard ground onto the first ice cap.

“Wait, Aurelio!” Tallulah called, hesitating to jump onto the ice floats after her friend. Her father had always told her to never play around broken ice lakes, and this was totally different to the thick ice back home. It could all break at a seconds notice. She could see her friend bounding from float to float, and carefully she circled around the lake, though quickly lost sight of him. Why did he have to be so damn stubborn?

Looking to the ice water sloshing about, she gulped. Even looking at it brought a chill down her spine. She was worried about being left behind, and irritated she'd let her fear hold her back, but she also wasn't stupid, it was reckless to go running across that thing, especially considering how quickly it had melted.

An alarmed cry ripped through the crisp air. Tally's ears perked up at it, and she knew immediately it was Aurelio. He called for help, his claws gripping the edge of the ice he had just jumped onto. Tallulah called to him, trying to locate him, her heart pounding profusely, the beat almost drowning out all sounds around her.

“He's too far, he could fall in before I can help him” she cursed to herself bitterly.

She looked from her paws to the ice lake in front of her, hearing the crack of the ice blocks as they broke up and moved. It was now or never, she had to make a decision.

In take of breath and-

She jumped. Her claws dug into the ice, and before thinking she'd lept, and lept again. Finally she could see the furry tops of Aurelio's ears, and knew she could get to him. Her pathway was clear, and as soon as she'd got to him she reached forward, grabbing the boy by the scruff of his mane and dragging him back up.

Once they were back on the shore, they both caught their breath.

“Tally...” Aurelio squeaked, not sounding his usual self, “thank you. I'd have fallen in and..”

“Don't say it. Just don't do that again” she responded with, out of breath. It was then she noticed his bottom half was soaked through with ice water. She knew what happened when that was left, and the subject not warmed up. She looked over and saw a nook like cave in the distance. She motioned towards it. And they both moved towards it, Aurelio shivering as he walked.

Inside, they found the deepest part away from the winds, and huddled together to warm up.

“Looks like we're going to be late home now” the female sighed. She didn't really mind though.

A bigger fear than the water was the idea of losing her precious friend. She couldn't bear to lose one, let alone two, in the same day.

“Looks like you're braver than me by far” Aurelio yawned, snuggling deeper into her mane.

“No kidding. Your show boating always gets you into trouble” she giggled, but the kit was fast asleep. She rolled her eyes, before resting herself.