Inherent Heart (on hold)

Chapter 5

“We should probably pack up the tent and sleeping bags and move on. That is, if you feel up to it, Livana.”

“I feel fine,” I assured Ivis. It was strange how quickly I had gotten over the 'side effects,' but I was very glad that I was back to normal. We both got up and stretched, then Ivis went and started to pack up the tent, while I rolled up the sleeping bags. We stuffed the tent into one pack, and the sleeping bags in another. I lifted the bag with sleeping bags in it onto my back, and Ivis hoisted the other bag onto her back. We scoured the campsite to make sure there was nothing left to give our presence away. Once that was done, we mounted Shuntu and Missy, and rode towards the Great Forest. We reached a large clearing, whicht was directly in front of the Great Forest. No grass grew there, and I had the distinct impression that we were not the first to camp here. The entire campsite seemed forbidding and unforgiving. It seemed to warn you that any mistakes were most likely going to be fatal. Ivis confirmed both of my suspicions with her next sentence.

“Travelers like ourselves who wish to attempt to cross the Great Forest have camped in this spot for centuries. Many of them died in the Forest, and some didn't even make it that far. Numerous monsters lurk in the Great Forest. The only way to have a prayer of crossing without being ripped to shreds is to cross over the top. Believe it or not, the trees are close enough that you can actually crawl across the branches. We'll do that near the top, where we're out of reach of most of the monsters. All I need to do is to figure out a way to get us to the top. There is no way we can climb, at least not without harnesses. Hmm. I wonder...” Ivis and I dismounted, Ivis still deep in thought. She sat down on the ground to think, and I set up the tent, and unrolled the sleeping bags. I craned my neck to look up at the top of the Great Forest, and while I was doing so, Andrea said,

“I feel like I could fly for miles right now, but there's no way that I could fly straight up for any amount of time at all.” Well, it seemed like we had yet another problem. Even if Ivis found a way for us to climb to the top of the Forest, there was no way that Andrea could climb up. And anyway, she wouldn't fit in the crawl space tunnels up there. I told Ivis all of this, and she already had it all figured out. Andrea would fly around the Forest, and meet us on the other side. When I asked her why don't we ride around the Forest as well, she said,

“It's way too far for us to ride on horse back, but Andrea will be able to fly fast enough to meet us on the other side, if she starts at the same time as we do.” I nodded, then walked away, leaving Ivis to her thoughts. Not even five minutes later did Ivis come up with an idea.

“I've got it!” She exclaimed excitedly. “We have rope in the pack, and I can use magic to get it over the highest branch. The rope will basically be a loop with the two ends of the rope handging down. We'll sit in the loop, whicht can be pulled up and down, depending on one of the ends of the rope. If you let go of the rope, the seat will remain on the ground. If you pull the rope, the seat will be pulled upwards. Once you're in the air, you must not release the rope, otherwise you will drop, unless you manage to grab the rope again. Do you understand, Livana?” Ivis finished.

“Yes, I understand, Ivis. Wow, that 's a brilliant idea! I think we should start tomorrow morning, since it's too late to start tonight. Right now, we should make some dinner. I'll make the dinner, and maybe you could make some more of that wonderful tea? It worked so well this morning. I feel fine now, but it's best to have more before I get the flu.” Around the outskirts of the Forest were some mushrooms that I knew to be edible. I picked a few, and put them in the pot along with some herbs and water. I hung the pot over the fire. Soon the water began to boil. I let it simmer for a couple of minutes, and then I said to Ivis,

“Dinner is ready. The fire is still going, though, if you want to make some tea.”

“Thanks. I think I will brew some tea before dinner. That way you'll have your tea that much sooner.” Ivis said generously.