The road to the Cloud Fortress seemed to never end. This time, they were heading to a place that had always been between myth and reality, hidden and protected from the enemy's eye, unknown and secluded, even for the fairy world.

Ferry did not know much about the Cloud Fortress except that the Amalgham Army and its followers were hiding there. The place was a secret even when it was in the human world and not many times, Ferry was equally puzzled when he wanted to know more about it. And each time, his friends were evasive or even stubborn when he asked too many questions.

Now that he finally had the chance to meet, or even to live in, his impatience became even bigger.

They had left the wooded lands for some time, and now they were traveling to the outskirts of vast lands, ruled by grain fields that had not yet borne fruit. Their time had not yet come (as Rosemary explained) because in Akna the grains were gnawing when the Long Day came, and that would come after a long time because now they were beginning to move quickly to the Long Night.

Ferry looked at the sky, from time to time. The halo surrounding the white star had passed the bright half, and with each point of light it lost, everything around it became less bright as if the light was being easily but surely driven away to far distances.

Every now and then, in the endless fields, a red dot could be seen here and there, advancing slowly. Humans.

"Why do people have to wear red?" he asked Ragh who was riding slowly beside him.

"To know their place in this world," Ragh replied, looking ahead.

"Okay, but why red?" Ferry insisted.

"Because red represents them. It's the color of their blood. "

Ferry swallowed the knot in his throat. He couldn't say another word. He watched Matilda ride with Finn in front of him, on the horse guided by Sage. He was so happy that she had decided to come. But now he wasn't as sure as before.

He heard the others coming close. Oona had taken off her boots and was now walking barefoot beside her mare, which followed her without needing to be held by the halter or fearing that she would run away. Parsley and Rosemary were the last, laughing and talking as if the whole world were theirs. Thyme was leading the way, as usual.

"How do people get here?" he decided to continue the conversation with Ragh, who seemed willing to answer all his questions. "I mean, in Tenalach, people were eventually forgetting their old lives and become fairies. Why doesn't the same happen here? "

This time, Ragh seemed to think before answering. "Well,  humans are not always kind. In their world, they might think they have grown, and their tools have become stronger, and their settlements become bigger... But their growth has reached our world. And it's hurting it."

Ferry frowned. Ragh had not answered his question. "And how do they get here?" he continued.

"Well, some of them catch a glimpse of our world. And when that happens, we can't let them go... We can't let the secrets of our world be found out by them. No matter how much they have, they always want more. Greed is their nature. They would invade our world and destroy it."

"What about the others? The ones that don't accidentally see your world?"

Ragh hesitated. "The others... The others are allured here."

"Allured? How?"

"Have you ever heard of the saying covered by forest?" Oona interfered; she had been paying close attention to the discussion all this time.

Ferry shook his head no.

"Well," Oona continued in the same light tone as if she were talking about the color of her dress, "in Tenalach, we used to lure people into the woods. And when they reached our land, they could not find their way back, not even those who knew the forest like the back of their palm. Because we play with their minds, we annoy and confuse them until they think they have lost their minds. And the forest they once knew so well turns into their enemy, covering them completely. Then, it was easy to bring them into our world, "she chuckled.

"Yes, but here, they still have memories of their past lives. Why don't they want to come back?"

"Even if they wanted to, they couldn't," Ragh said.

"Why?"

"Because time flows differently in their world. That would mean that nothing they once knew would exist. People, places ... They would just be strangers in a foreign world... And if they manage to escape from our world, their minds are scattered in a thousand pieces, that even death seems easier ... "

Ferry could not hide his trembling.

"But Akna means more than a shelter for people," Ragh continued. "It means vast lands under the light of our star. It means that we can fulfill the destiny that was meant for us. It means that we can defend this land with dedication and honor. Because in Akna, duty is above all. And now, Akna is threatened by the enemy coming from below ... "

"I have to admit that the fairies in Akna are different from what I thought," Ferry said.

Ragh smiled. Ferry hadn't seen him smile before. When he smiled, his whole face lit up and his dark eyes shone. "We don't call ourselves fairies. Humans call us fairies. "

"How do you call yourselves, then?" Ferry asked.

"Solacers," Ragh said. "You should get used to it," he added. "You're one of us."

Then, he held the halter of his horse tighter and rushed to catch up with Thyme.

"Solacers," Ferry repeated. The word made him feel lighter and warmer, somehow. "Made out of light ..."

***

They made a stop at the edge of a field under an oak (or at least a tree that looked like an oak, but ten times thicker), next to a quick stream. The trunk of the tree was thick enough for everyone to lean on, and its crown large enough to guard them against prying eyes.

Now, they all seemed more relaxed and confident. They laughed and joked about the riding that had affected the softer parts of their bodies to which no one but Thyme and Ragh were accustomed. The only one who didn't seem comfortable was Matilda. The girl was leaning against the tree, wrapped in Sage's cloak, staring blankly. She seemed lost in thought. So absent and pale. So unlike her.

Ferry stepped closer Ragh who was watering his horse beside him.

"Listen, Ragh, you can take a break if you want."

Ragh frowned. "No, thanks. I don't mind being with you all the time. It's my duty. "

"I know, but sometimes I need to be alone. With my friend..."

Ragh looked at Matilda. "Why?" he asked.

"Because she is my friend. And because I like to spend time with her..."

"Yes, but why?" Ragh insisted. "I mean, she's a human girl..."

Ferry felt his whole body tense. "Ragh, can you leave me alone with her for five minutes?" he said, this time in a tenser voice.

Ragh seemed to think deeply before saying, "Is that an order?"

Ferry took a deep breath. "Yes, Ragh, that's an order."

Ragh nodded shortly, then took a step back. Ferry passed him, then Oona and Finn, who were contesting who would find berries first, while Parsley and Rosemary laid on the grass in the sky, saying nothing.

He reached Matilda in three steps. The girl was leaning against the tree, her chin on her knees as if she didn't listen to Sage talking all the time about who knows what. She looked up at him as he reached her. Ferry stretched out his hand and Matilda offered hers after a moment of hesitation. And then, hand in hand, they started for the creek beyond the path before Sage (who was now speechless) could say anything, before Thyme intervened, or before Oona resorted to one of her tricks to keep them away from each other again.

It was quiet in the creek near the path. The shrubs that rose around them seemed to have built a fortress to keep the world away. It was darker beyond the berry bushes, but somehow, it was warm and quiet. The landscape seemed detached from a painting. Under the white light of the star, the creek somehow brought them to the place with tall grass beyond Lavender's cottage. In the strong air and under the cold light, even the grass smelled like home, just like that evening when they still wandered, unable to leave or separate from each other. 

Or maybe it only seemed to Ferry just because she was there. She looked paled and frail against the vast landscape. She was now wearing pants made out of that resistant material that looked like leather. Over the white blouse that seemed made of the finest silk, she had a corset made of the same fabric as the pants. Her dark hair came out of her ponytail, falling down her delicate neck where a thin vein was more visible on a side; the same vein Ferry always wanted to feel under his finger...

"How are you feeling?" he finally said.

Matilda shrugged. "I don't know... This place is beautiful. It takes your breath away. But somehow-- It's foreign and cold. And no matter how many clothes I wear, I feel like I'm always cold ... " she said, shivering.

"You're cold?" he wondered. "To me, the weather here is perfect. Not too cold, not too hot ... "

Matilda smiled, but her smile seemed sad. She looked at him intently and her eyes insisted on his forehead. She looked like she wanted to touch him, but then she withdrew her hand. "That's because this place suits you," she said softly. "It's your home..."

"You'll get used to it, too," he said, trying to sound confident. "You just need more time ..."

"I hope so... I just can't get rid of this feeling ..."

"What feeling?"

"Like once we get to the Cloud Fortress, everything will change ..."

Ferry shook his head. He took her hand in his and slowly squeezed it. "Nothing will change, Matt. Not between the two of us. "

She nodded, though her eyes said she didn't believe a word he was saying.

"Promise?" she asked softly.

Ferry felt his heart aching with worry. "I promise..."

They said nothing more and looked only at the tall grass the color of the raging sea, which began to rustle under a warm breeze.

"We should go back," she said softly.

He nodded and followed her. But before crossing the other side of the grove, before returning to the world and reality, he stopped. He turned and looked at that place one last time as if he wanted to memorize it, leaf by leaf, blade of grass by blade of grass, drop by drop. The wind rustled through the tall grass again, causing it to bow before them as if saying goodbye ...

When they returned to the others, all their friends suddenly became silent. No one laughed or giggled and almost forgot to breathe.

Thyme finally cleared his throat. "We have to go. It's a little while until the next doorway. "

"What doorway?" Ferry asked.

"The doorway that will take us to the Cloud Fortress," Thyme said. "There are doorways to places in this world. Places whose memory is long lost in the mists of time. Places that are not even known if they still exist. The Cloud Fortress is one of them. But the doorway is as hidden and obscure as the Cloud Fortress itself. "

Ferry nodded and headed for Wind. He petted the horse on the neck and then mounted on its back easily. Then he rode in front of Matilda and held out his hand again. The girl frowned at first, but then she gave him her hand and Ferry helped her climb on the saddle with him. Then they set out before everyone in the direction shown by Thyme on his old, precious maps.

To ride with Matilda seemed to give him wings. Ferry inhaled the smell of cookies in his hair, then began galloping. They left behind the azure fields and passed like the wind among the trees that came their way and became more and more thick and tall.

Soon, they heard the sound of hooves behind and saw Ragh pass them like lightning, followed by Thyme.

"Can we go faster?" said Matilda, clinging to the horse's neck.

Ferry held the horse and Wind seemed to take flight among the trees that seemed to bow in front of them. Matilda laughed during the crazy ride and for a moment, Ferry felt at home in Goodharts, following her on the bike on the roads between the hills, with the warm wind caressing their skin. He stopped only when he saw Thyme and Ragh stopped in front of some ruins that appeared right there, in the middle of the forest. Or maybe the forest had grown around them.

The others caught up with them soon after, with Sage mumbling that he had been given the slowest horse and he had to care for her most restless child, while Oona complained that fairies like her shouldn't have their behinds covered in blisters because of riding, but fly free above all.

Ragh laughed at her whining, and Oona stuck out her tongue and said something under her breath about his ears that were too big and too pointed.

"This time it will be easier to get to the other side," Thyme said in his resounding voice covering Oona's moans and Sage's growls. "Doorways that open in the same world should not bother us. None of us, "he added, glancing at Matilda who had now dismounted, and was paying attention to Finn's adventures on the slowest horse of all.

Thyme, who was the only one who did not seem affected by the noise around him, touched the edges of the ruined wall in the middle of the forest. As always, bright symbols lit up the edges, and Thyme touched them in an order only he knew. The hard surface of the stone shuddered, then turned into a wave of mist and everyone could see on the other side.

Horses and riders, they all passed on the other side, this time with everyone feeling as if they crossed a bridge. Even Matilda. Ferry wanted to ask her to be his traveling companion again. But he saw her looking up at the sky, just as everyone else was. Ferry looked up as well--in front of them, there rose a forested mountain whose top was not even visible, hidden by clouds. Solas, the bright star, could not be seen through the thick clouds floating above which made the paths that stretched in far in the distance be wrapped in darkness, one softer than the one on Earth, but darkness nonetheless.

"Let's go!" Thyme urged them, seeing them all hesitating in front of the greatness of the mountains. "We have a long way to go. But don't forget that up there, our journey will end, "he said confidently.

"I forgot how high this mountain was," Parsley said as he helped Rosemary ride. "It will take us an eternity to get there."

"It's not that bad," said Ragh who had resumed his job as Ferry's companion. "At least now we don't have to be afraid that someone will see us. This place is a secret. "

"I think we have to walk beside our horses until we get past the serpentines," Thyme setting off before everyone else, as usual.

"Good," Oona muttered. "I don't think my poor back lasts that long on this horse," she said, choosing to walk with Ferry. With Oona on one side and Ragh on the other, Ferry had no choice but to continue his way. He saw Matilda in front of him holding Finn's hand, both marveling at the wonders that came their way. Sage followed them closely, without losing sight of them. Parsley and Rosemary ended the line.

They began to climb the unpaved path that loomed in front of them, shrouded in a pale, cold light. The trees that guarded it on either side were tall and thin, wrapped as if in silver foliage, some straight and motionless sentries watching over the group of travelers advancing to the top of the clouds.

The climb turned out to be more pleasant than they had imagined. Their path was guided by the small blue sparks that appeared here and there among the huge ferns that lined the road like guiding lanterns.

"Fireflies?" Ferry asked.

"Devas," Rosemary replied. "They are guiding fairies. They are kind and gentle. And they show you the strongest healing plants, " she added, heading for a plant with large, purple berries above which a Devas floated. She then picked some fruits and then slipped them into her bag with pockets full of all kinds of plants, potions, and ointments.

The air was getting colder and crisper, and everyone was forced to put on some extra clothes. Oona was muffled up to her nose but still shivering beside Ferry.

"Can I ride with you, fairy-boy?" she asked, her teeth gritting. "Your cloak looks warm, maybe you want to share it. Otherwise, I could become a block of ice before we reach the top. "

Ferry nodded slowly. He'd seen Sage put his large arm around Matilda to keep her warm. The girl was completely wrapped in his cloak and it seemed that the cold caused her as much trouble as Oona's. From time to time, she turned her head to him and smiled, which did not escape Oona's sight, who snorted every time it happened.

Ferry smiled back at her, glad to see she was feeling better. But he didn't finish the thought, that strange things began to happen to her. Matilda stumbled and fell at every step. Plants and roots clung to her legs, preventing her from walking, and Sage was forced to remove a few with his dagger from her legs. Then a whirlwind suddenly started just above her, throwing dust, branches, and leaves into her eyes. The girl let out a short scream and tried to drive away from the leaves that revolved around her with chaotic hand movements. Sage tried to help her, but the leaves and twigs went into his mouth, choking him and making him cough. Finn got scared and started crying. The agitation created around Matilda made them all stop.

Thyme turned, intrigued by the sour chaos behind him. He glared at Oona and the whirlwind spread just as unexpected as it started, leaving poor Matilda alone. The girl was ruffled, with leaves, branches, and grass stuck in her hair and clothes. She cast a venomous glance in Oona's direction, then darted at her. Oona screamed and hid behind Ferry.

"Help me, Ferry, help me," she moaned. "She's mad."

"Ferry, step aside," Matilda screamed, fuming.

"Matt, what are you doing?" he asked, standing in front of Oona.

"She is doing all these things. She uses magic to annoy me. "

"I didn't do it, fairy boy, I swear," Oona sobbed behind Ferry.

"Do you want to fight me?" cried Matilda. "Then fight with me without magic. I'm going to kick your butt! And I'm not going to need magic to do it!" she shouted, trying to get past Ferry to reach Oona.

Sage also intervened, trying to separate them. "Come on, Matt, let's go," he said peacefully. "There are all kinds of fairies around here. And many of them are quite tricksters ... "

"What? You don't believe me?" Matilda bristled. "She has all of you wrapped around her finger. She's mean and manipulative and she shouldn't have come with us! " she added, barely breathing.

"Oh yes?" Oona replied, sticking her head from behind Ferry. "If there's any of us who shouldn't have come, it's you!"

Matilda let out a battle cry and wanted to dart back to Oona, but Sage grabbed her in his strong arms and walked up the path with her struggling in his arms.

"Enough!" shouted Thyme, tired of all the quarrels and delays they've had since leaving Goodharts. "At this rate, we will reach the Cloud Fortress when pigs fly. We'll solve this when we get there. Now, back on your horses, everyone! "

The path in front of them had become wider now, and they could ride without fear of falling into the abyss on either side of the road.

They trotted for a long time without saying anything. Even Oona had calmed down and was now standing straight in front of Ferry, quiet and nice.

In front of them, the landscape was beginning to change. The paths no longer seemed untrodden. Trees and vegetation were not as dense. And the rocks took the form of roads and bridges, columns and arches adorned with ivy and climbing roses.

Soon, on either side of the serpentines, tall buildings appeared, with arches in pointed shapes, ribbed stone vaults, clustered columns, pinnacles, and sharply pointed spires. Ferry noticed the buildings were not erected, but dug directly into the stone of the mountain which made them even more imposing.

He looked up and saw the clouds above were beginning to scatter, revealing the silhouette of a castle with high towers whose peaks reached the sky above. The further they went, the more imposing the fortress in the clouds, dominating the surrounding landscape.

They decided to make one last stop and let the horses rest. They all sat in front of the blue flames that Oona made, bigger this time because of the sharper cold of the heights.

"I can't wait to go back," Ragh said. "I missed a lot of training. I'm far behind the others. "

Oona grimaced. "Training... What are you doing for fun?"

"Well, sometimes we have festive meals when there are holidays. Some of us are good at singing, so we have music. But the Cloud Fortress is not exactly the place to have fun ... "

"Boring," Oona muttered.

"There will probably be a festive meal soon to celebrate the return of Prince Garrett," said Ragh, suddenly excited. "We have all kinds of food and even cakes. And aile or wine. Of course, I'm not old enough to drink wine ... "

"I know some new recipes," Sage said. "I could try them in the kitchen ..."

"I'm afraid your kitchen talents won't be demanded so often," Thyme told him. "We won't have time for that."

"Why?" Ferry wondered.

"Because we need to prepare for the coming of the Long Night ..." Thyme replied.

"What will happen in the Long Night?" Ferry insisted.

"I don't think it's time or place to discuss this," Thyme said shortly. "Now rest. We are expected. "

Then Thyme got up and retreated to a sharp rock to study his maps in peace. The others tried to find something to do. Oona got up to look for flowers for a wrist wreath. But she didn't even take two steps that she fell flat on her face. She got up quickly, her face red with rage and her cheek painted with dirt. Leaves and grass clung to her dress. Ragh couldn't help but burst out laughing. Oona glared at him and Ragh stopped laughing, suddenly paying attention to the flames in front of him.

Oona headed for Matilda. "You made me trip!" she shouted at her.

Matilda, who had been watching the fire that entire time, looked up at her. "Did you see me do that?" she asked calmly.

"No, but I know it was you," Oona shouted.

"Just as I knew it was you who made the whirlwind?" Matilda replied, untroubled.

"Matt, is that true?" Ferry asked. "Did you make Oona fall?"

This time, it was Matilda's turn to glance arrows at the Ferry. "What? You don't believe me?"

"It's not about that, it's just that--"

But Matilda stopped listening to him. "I mean, you believe her when she says she didn't attack me with magic and you don't believe me when I tell you I didn't make her fall ..."

"Matt, I just thought--"

"You know what, Ferry? I don't care what you thought, "Matilda said, rising from the fire, heading for a more secluded place. Sage got up and followed her.

Oona sat down next to Ferry and chained his neck with her delicate arms. "Thank you for taking my side, Ferry," she purred like a cat in his ear.

Ferry shook his head. "It's not about taking sides, Oona ..." he said bitterly.

The rest of the way, Matilda didn't say anything anymore. She didn't even look at him. Ferry couldn't leave things like that. Not now, when they were about to arrive at the place they had heard so much about lately. He needed her support just like she needed his.

He picked up a blue flower with icy petals, then left Wind in Ragh's care and ran after Matilda who was walking in front of him. He handed her the flower and smiled.

"Truce?" he said.

The girl took the flower and gently stroked its delicate petals. Then she smiled back at him. "Truce," she said.

Suddenly, the path was flooded with bright light. Ferry looked at the star, which now shone like a lighthouse as if its light had scattered the clouds and the darkness around. He could feel everyone's gaze on him again. Somewhere in front of them stood the heavy gates of the fortress. Beyond them, the Cloud Fortress stood still like a queen waiting for her subjects to bow before her.

"We're here," Matilda said softly, and the smile faded from her face.

Ferry remembered their discussion. An idea came to his mind. "Matt, we'll ride into the Cloud Fortress together."

The girl frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You and I. We'll ride together. That way, no one will dare to treat you badly. And you don't have to worry that things will change once we get there. "

"I don't know, Ferry ..." she hesitated.

"Trust me," he said, squeezing her hand.

He then motioned for Ragh to bring his horse. Thyme stepped closer. "Garrett, are you sure you want to do this?" he asked in a more serious tone than usual. "This way, you would only draw attention to her. She's a human girl. You have to be patient for things to change for humans. Change never comes easy. "

Sage rushed to Matilda. "Mattie, Thyme is right," he said, barely breathing. "Are you sure that's what you want?"

The girl looked at Ferry, puzzled. He nodded, then took Matilda's hand and helped her up on the horse with him. "Thank you both for your care. But I know what I'm doing," Ferry said.

And then he set off, with Matilda by his side, to the tall gates. The others followed in silence.

Thyme dismounted and knocked on the gates. There were tall mahogany gates rising to the sky, almost covering it. After a few moments, the gates opened slowly, with a long creak.

Ferry was the first to enter. He took off the hood that covered his forehead and led his horse towaeds the castle that loomed somewhere in the distance. He could feel Matilda's body getting tense in her arms.

He brought his cheek closer to hers. "Everything will be fine," he whispered. "I'm right by your side."

In front of them laid a sea of ​​people. Hundreds of people, the inhabitants of the Cloud Fortress. Creatures of those places, half people, half beasts, along with young and slender men, wearing armor and long hair falling on their backs. Amalghams and Solacers alike, went out of their way, bowing their heads one by one as they passed by.

They arrived in front of other gates, this time made of bright silver metal. There was a whole suite of Solacers in shining armor waiting for them.

One of them greeted him. He had white hair, just like Ferry's, in the same elaborate style as Ragh's. He had pale skin and piercing eyes. He was impressively tall, and his muscular arms tensed as he walked toward them. He was carrying strange weapons on his belt that made him look even more fiercely. Over the noble garment, he wore a heavy cloak that rustled with every movement as if could have opened his wings to fly at any time.

The man took a short bow when he came in front of them.

"Prince Garrett, welcome to the Cloud Fortress," he said in a resounding voice that hit the thick walls of the fortress, reverberating in the cold air. The warrior seemed to be expecting some reaction from Ferry, but without taking his eyes off Matilda.

Ferry dismounted and held Matilda's hand, helping her get off the horse. Then something happened. Two men approached him. After short bows, one of them took his horse, and the other his cloak and sack. Among unfamiliar faces, he saw in passing Thyme and Ragh exchanging a few words with the warrior. Countless voices rose around them, sounding like a swarm of bees. All those strangers, with their blurry eyes, speaking that strange language, seemed to come closer to them, far too close. And in all the hustle and bustle around them, Ferry felt Matilda's hand slip out of his hand.

He barely had the time to see Sage wrap her in his dark cloak, covering her completely. Then, she disappeared with her in front of his eyes.

Ferry is finally home. How do you think the inhabitants of the Cloud Fortress will treat him? And how will they treat Matilda? Do you think their relationship will change? Again, thank you for being part of this journey! Love lots!

PS: This is the track I listened to when writing the "Merry" scenes. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/SQiX_07LuO0