What now . . .

Dweller and Traveler met in the caverns with the chosen adventurers.  Nom-Mee sat with Wee-One in the cottage.  “You took us as far as you could.  Your body was too weak.  Thank you for letting me take Terba.  I know she is your favorite.”
      “Terba is her own person and would never let anyone tell her what she could or could not do.  I often wonder, if it is she, not Traveler, who is in charge of the bevy,” wee-one weakly replied as they both laughed.  Wee-One wept on Nom-Mee’s shoulder until she fell asleep.  Nom-Mee placed her in the “comfy” bed, as wee-one called it, and slipped out the back door that led to the caverns below.
      Traveler talked to Nom-Mee alone.  She could see he had been crying.  “It has always been my job to protect you even before we met that day in the shield room.  This time I must allow you to go on your own.  Terba has taught you much, but you have much left to learn.”  Nom-Mee could not contain her tears and shook her head before the inevitable question came.
      Nom-Mee admitted reluctantly these were tears of despair.  “You were the only one to ever protect me from Rock Monster.  How will I be able to protect myself, if he should come?  I fear I am not strong enough to fight him.  How will I ever lead the others?”
       “Fear not, you survived the waters of the healing springs and the transformation brought on by the bud of the death flower.  In all my years as a Traveler, I have only seen one other person go through the Healing Springs.  He was a full-grown man and lived for only a week.  There was no one who would weep for him into the death flower.  Someone must be willing to shed their very last teardrop, if necessary, in order to save your life.”
       Nom-Mee realized what Terba had done.  Without the ability to weep, she might have gone blind and never been able to fly again.  No other beautiful song had ever been sung to her, no lullaby, no anthem, no celebration, no song in any kingdom, in any land.  Nom-Mee wondered, “How she could do that for me.  She has not known me that long.”
       Nom-Mee knelt before Terba.  “Your precious tears.  How could you risk giving them up for me?  You do not know me.  How could you sacrifice so much for me?”
      Nom-Mee continued to weep as Terba stroked her face.  “My precious child, I cared for your father when he was a wee-one.  I promised him I would always look out for you.  I did, but I had to wait upon the Traveler’s call to come closer.  My sweet one, my tears are mine to give, mine alone.  Never forget that,” Terba trailed off as she began to sing.
       As Nom-Mee wept, Traveler looked on and asked, “Are these tears of love?”
       Again, Nom-Mee shook her head as she stated, “Tears of gentleness,” for she had learned what a true, gentle heart looked like.  Nom-Mee was beginning to realize she felt a stronger heart growing in her.
      The time was drawing nigh.  The bevy and wedge had gathered up a celebration to send out the party.  Dweller and Traveler determined it safest to leave the kingdom at night lest Rock Monster be alerted.  They also drew the map through the darkest part of the kingdom first, the swamps.  These had once been lovely gardens before Rock Monster’s arrival.  The sludge from his kitchens filled the gardens killing all living things.
      Celebration commenced at dawn while Wee-One and Nom-Mee were still asleep.  Terba hurried them along, encouraging them to dress quickly.  As they arrived, the crowd cheered to see them together.  Nom-Mee supported wee-one so as not to give away the fact that she was getting weaker.  Terba had baked her best gratfle (grat-ful) stew.  Nom-Mee and Wee-One had not tasted this since leaving the kingdom.  Terba said she was waiting for a special occasion to make it.
      Soon night would fall.  Wee-One and Nom-Mee slept.  Before sleeping Nom-Mee read a familiar story and rocked Wee-One.  She feared it would be the last time she would see her.  As the small village continued in slumber,  Nom-Mee and her squad set out as the moon rose behind them.  It cast an eerie glow upon the disparate force.
     None dares to look back for fear they would not be able to continue in their trek.  The descent into the damp, dark caverns seemed to take its toll on all but Nom-Mee and Cleinags, the former member of the grove.  A typical grove member would have had great difficulty due to their height, but Cleinags was not much taller than a sapling due to early starvation by Rock Monster.
      The climb was steep and treacherous making it difficult for the rest of the crew with their unsteady footing.  As they descended, Nom-Mee discovered that the caverns were guarded by only a few members of the grove, most of which were sleeping.  Yeinar volleyed for lead position, but Nom-Mee convinced him that Cleinags would make a better guide since he knew the caverns and had better footings.  Cleinags was also still known upon these cave guardians.  They only found one new sapling awake.  Gruashe (grew-ash) was eager in his new job.  He had heard of members of the Clandestine Guard checking to find if new members were sleeping.
      Cleinags wore the uniform of this guard and congratulated Gruashe for being awake and ready at his post.  Cleinags continued his conversation while the others climbed down a lower, narrower passageway just beneath them.  The squad could hear the conversation as they quietly crept below their feet.  Nom-Mee screamed in her head, BREATHE, JUST BREATHE,” as she heard Cleinags cough just above her head.  “HE CAN HEAR US!  HE CAN HEAR US!” she continue to scream in her head as she froze.  Terba, behind her, nudged her forward.
     Fear kept her from moving . . .