Reunion

 Soon, they started walking again in the direction of Eo’s threads. Paltar tried not to get his hopes up too high. After all, they didn't really know which threads they were following—he hoped it was Eo's family at the other end, but he couldn't be sure.

"Do you recognize anything?" he asked him.

Eo shook his head. It certainly didn't help that he seemed to know nothing about this forest. Paltar sighed before shaking his head as well. ‘I have to stay positive,' he thought. And not only for himself. There was someone else he cared about now. He glanced at Nanna, who was waddling in front of him, seemingly without a care in the world. But their conversation had shown him that there was much more to her than she let on. Even her anger was performative. He smiled, and as if she sensed it, Nanna turned around.

"You've asked that question a dozen times already," she complained. "We're moving on."

"Of course, Your Highness." He grinned.

What was her everyday life like when she was a princess? It couldn't be as fun as he imagined it to be. Sure, eating berry desserts and not having to worry about money was wonderful, but... marrying someone for political gain sounded like a bad deal. He wouldn't be surprised if her first few months as a goose had felt freeing.

But she couldn't experience the world like he could. She couldn't put on her dress by herself, she couldn't enjoy dessert, she couldn't live life like a human. Always on the run, disbelieving, losing hope…

"Paltar." She bit him lightly on the ankle.

"Ow!"

That snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Why do you look so sad?" she asked.

Before he could answer, she let out a gasp.

"Don't tell me you're still sad, you're such a bad conversationalist!"

"I'm not-"

"Don't worry!" She poked his leg lightly with her beak. "In time, even you will be able to get to know people! And until then, we can practice. I won't judge, I promise."

"You're judging me right now…"

She grinned at him, and he could feel his mood lifting as well. Nanna wasn’t someone who let herself be dragged down. That was something he still had to learn. Even if her life hadn't been that easy, she had come through it and became a stronger person. Paltar wanted to become stronger, as well.

He checked their surroundings with his abilities. The predators around them now barely kept their distance. Hopefully, he would not have to prove his strength with them.

There was a tug on his sleeve and Paltar jumped. On his right side was Eo, looking up at him with knowing eyes. But the boy remained silent, and Paltar felt irritation rising in him. Eo knew something, and it felt as if Paltar should know it, too.

"Watch out!" Nanna shouted.

Paltar barely dodged the thin tree in front of him. Still, a few leaves hit his face because he wasn't that quick with ducking.

"Urgh…"

Great. Now he looked even more uncool than usual.

"I... the threads…" He stopped his explanation. It didn’t help him.

"Hmph. I guess I'll have to look out for you," Nanna said.

"I'd be grateful for that," he admitted with a grin. "You're smart, and quick with your bites, after all."

Suddenly, she seemed flustered.

"I-do they hurt that much?"

"No! I meant, uh…"

"There," Eo interrupted.

Paltar followed his outstretched finger, but couldn't see anything else than the forest in front of him. Nevertheless, hope blossomed in his heart.

"Do you recognize this place?" he asked.

But Eo fell silent again and walked faster now. Paltar tried to catch up, but it was harder than it looked. 'He's fast,' he thought. ‘How could I not have noticed that before?’

Eo looked back and grinned a wolfish smile at him. Even now, he held his toy in his arms as if he had no care in the world.

"Stop... wait..." Paltar huffed.

"Eo!"

Nanna flew up and chased after the boy in the air when Paltar stopped for a moment to catch his breath. What had gotten into Eo? What did he see?

He closed his eyes and concentrated on his strings. The thread they had followed... finally, he could see the end. And the hungry maw waiting there. Eo ran directly towards one of the beasts they had managed to avoid so far.

"Nanna!" he shouted. "Eo…"

But he could hardly breathe. He had to stop them, somehow. But by now, Nanna was barely visible to him.

He had to be strong. Even though every breath felt like fire, he struggled forward, towards the thread—not Eo's, no, it was the thread that connected him to Nanna that was his guide, clearly visible even if his vision was blurred. He had to reach her before something dangerous happened. He had to… He saw Nanna hiss at a huge shadow that towered over her and Eo, the only light coming from its bared teeth.

"Stop!"

He stumbled forward and threw himself in front of the monster with outstretched arms. He closed his eyes and heard a growl.

"You did it," Eo said without a trace of fear in his voice.

"Huh?"

Paltar didn't understand. But he didn't have to. As long as he could protect them, everything he did was okay. He braced himself for some kind of impact, but it never came. When he finally opened his eyes again, the creature's mouth had turned into a smile instead.

"You brought back our little boy," the creature whispered. "You... have our thanks."

"Huh?"

This was getting stranger and stranger. Paltar looked back at Eo. He was the only one the creature could talk about. But...

"I'm sorry," Eo said. "I couldn't lead them astray."

He held up the mouse that Paltar had made. "Look," he said.

Another laugh escaped the creature.

"Instead, you made a friend," the creature laughed. "When was the last time we made a friend in these woods?"

The laugh echoed through the forest, growing louder as other voices joined in.

"What..." Nanna sounded frightened.

"So... they belong to your tribe?" Paltar guessed.

Then why did he feel the bloodlust coming from them? Why did they have to run?

"Weakness is weakness," the creature replied. "And you have shown that you can prove yourself. To seek shelter in the sacred stones... you must be incredibly lucky, or have some other means of finding what will help you."

Paltar jumped. Were they talking about his ability?

But the creature didn't dwell on these things. Instead, it shook itself, black fur clashing against the green of the forest.

"We will help you, friends of Eo," it said finally. "We will open the way."

With that, the creature extended a claw. Once more Paltar raised his arms and stepped firmly in front of Nanna. What were they planning? They were not going to kill her, were they?

But instead, the creature pressed its claw into the ground, slicing it open. There was no earth or stone underneath, but instead, it looked like the sky above them.

"Go on," it said, "be brave. Jump in."

Paltar looked at Nanna, who looked as uncertain as he felt.

"We don't have much choice, do we?" He smiled at her before turning to the creature. "Thank you."

Then he looked at Eo.

"Take care of your mouse," he said. "And it was nice to meet you." 

Eo nodded and said nothing more. Paltar took a deep breath and jumped in. Behind him, he heard Nanna scream as she followed him into the portal.