The road stretched endlessly before them, winding through hills and valleys that slowly grew wilder, less tamed by human hands. Maelin rode beside Seran Valis, her eyes constantly scanning the horizon, drinking in every change in the landscape. The volcano faded behind her, its red glow now a distant memory. In its place rose new sights: rolling green hills dotted with wildflowers, clear streams that sparkled like scattered gems, and towering trees whose branches swayed gently in the wind.
Each day brought something new, strange birds that darted through the air like flames, the scent of flowers she couldn't name, and skies that shifted from brilliant blue to gold at sunrise, and finally into violet at dusk. Maelin's energy was boundless; she would laugh and leap from her horse at every new wonder, sometimes racing ahead and then slowing to catch her breath, her excitement spilling over like sparks from a flame.
