Chapter Six - Crossing the Border
1629 Words
The first rays of sunlight stretched across the skies of Earth Z.
Morning mist settled over the Phiri Estate, covering the fields like a soft white blanket.
Today wasn't an ordinary day.
Today...
They were leaving home.
The manor, once filled with laughter and hope, had become unusually quiet.
Servants moved silently through the hallways, carrying the last few travel bags towards the front entrance.
No one wanted to say goodbye.
Not yet.
Chansa stood in the nursery, gently folding the tiny blanket Mwansa had slept with the previous night.
She smiled to herself.
The little girl was still fast asleep.
Curled into a tiny ball with her stuffed rabbit tucked beneath one arm.
"I wish we didn't have to wake you," Chansa whispered.
As if hearing her voice, Mwansa slowly blinked her sleepy eyes open.
She looked around the unfamiliar room before her gaze settled on Chansa.
A sleepy smile spread across her little face.
"Up."
Chansa laughed softly.
"There it is."
"My favorite word."
She scooped the little girl into her arms.
Mwansa rested her cheek against Chansa's shoulder before letting out a tiny yawn.
"You really are becoming spoiled."
A knock interrupted the peaceful moment.
"My Lady?"
Tamara stepped inside in her human-sized fairy form, carrying a neatly folded travelling cloak.
"The carriage is ready."
Chansa nodded.
"Thank you."
Tamara's eyes lingered on Mwansa for a brief moment.
The little girl reached towards her with one tiny hand.
Tamara smiled and gently touched her fingers.
"Be a good girl today."
Mwansa giggled.
It was a simple sound.
Yet it warmed the entire room.
•••
Outside, Choolwe finished securing the last of their luggage.
He gave instructions to the head groundskeeper one final time.
"The eastern greenhouse must remain locked."
"Yes, my Lord."
"The healing herbs should only be harvested when necessary."
"Understood."
"And if anyone asks questions about our departure..."
"We'll simply tell them you're seeking treatment."
Choolwe smiled.
"Thank you."
The old groundskeeper bowed deeply.
"We'll be waiting for your return."
One by one, workers gathered outside the manor.
Some waved.
Others quietly wiped tears from their faces.
Children ran towards Chansa to hug her goodbye.
Several fairies flew overhead, showering flower petals across the front garden.
It was their traditional blessing for safe travels.
Chansa smiled through her tears.
"We'll miss all of you."
"We'll miss you too, my Lady!"
"Come back soon!"
"We'll keep the farm beautiful!"
Mwansa watched everything from Chansa's arms.
She didn't understand the words.
But she could feel the sadness around her.
Her tiny fingers tightened around Chansa's dress.
"It's alright," Chansa whispered.
"We're together."
"That's all that matters."
•••
As everyone prepared to leave, Chansa suddenly froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh no."
Choolwe immediately noticed.
"What is it?"
"The herbs."
"The Royal Herbs."
A look of understanding crossed his face.
The special herbs.
The ones that only Council members were trusted to grow.
If left behind...
They could easily fall into the wrong hands.
"I'll go," Choolwe said.
She shook her head.
"You'll draw attention."
"Besides..."
She smiled mischievously.
"I planted them."
"I know exactly where they all are."
Before he could argue...
She gently handed Mwansa to him.
"Watch her for me."
Then, with a soft whisper beneath her breath...
She disappeared.
The space she had occupied only seconds earlier shimmered before becoming still once again.
Several workers smiled knowingly.
"My Lady never could resist using magic."
Even Choolwe laughed.
"No..."
"She never could."
•••
Chansa reappeared inside the royal greenhouse.
Rows upon rows of glowing herbs stretched before her.
Some shimmered blue.
Others glowed silver beneath the morning light.
These weren't ordinary plants.
Every one of them carried powerful magical properties.
Healing.
Protection.
Strength.
Truth.
In the wrong hands...
They could destroy kingdoms.
She slowly walked through each row, gently touching the plants she'd spent years growing.
Memories filled her heart.
Every seed had been planted with hope.
Every bloom celebrated.
Every harvest shared with those in need.
"This is goodbye," she whispered.
Closing her eyes, she raised both hands.
Ancient runes formed around her fingertips.
Golden light spread across the greenhouse floor.
The herbs gently lifted from the soil, their seeds separating from their stems.
One by one...
Every seed floated into a small enchanted pouch hanging from her belt.
Once she was certain she had gathered every last seed...
She looked around the now empty greenhouse.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm sorry."
With one final wave of her hand...
Blue flames appeared.
Unlike ordinary fire...
These flames burned only magic.
Within moments, the remaining plants turned to glowing ash before disappearing completely.
Nothing remained.
No roots.
No leaves.
No trace they had ever existed.
Chansa took one last look around the greenhouse.
Then quietly whispered...
"Protect this kingdom until I return."
With another flash of light...
She vanished.
The moment Chansa returned to the carriage, Choolwe noticed the sadness in her eyes.
"You burned them, didn't you?" he asked softly.
She nodded.
"I kept every seed."
"But the plants..."
"They're gone."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Those herbs had taken years to cultivate.
Years of patience.
Years of care.
Years they would never get back.
Choolwe gently reached for her hand.
"You did the right thing."
"I know."
"It still hurts."
He pulled her into a hug.
"We'll grow them again."
"When we come home."
She rested her forehead against his chest.
"I'd like that."
Mwansa watched them with curious eyes before reaching out and placing one tiny hand on each of their cheeks.
Both of them laughed.
"I think she's telling us not to be sad," Choolwe said.
"She's wiser than both of us."
Chansa kissed the little girl's forehead.
"Let's go home."
Choolwe smiled.
"We are going home."
"Just... a different one."
•••
The carriage slowly rolled away from the Phiri Estate.
Every worker stood outside waving until it disappeared over the hill.
Chansa couldn't bring herself to look back.
She knew if she did...
She might ask Choolwe to turn around.
Instead, she held Mwansa a little tighter.
The little girl soon fell asleep against her shoulder, completely unaware that her entire life was changing.
Hours passed as the countryside gave way to ancient forests.
The trees grew taller.
The air became heavier with magic.
Finally...
The carriage came to a stop.
"We're here," the driver announced.
Choolwe climbed down first before helping Chansa.
Before them stood a breathtaking sight.
Two towering stone pillars reached towards the sky.
Between them shimmered a curtain of silver light that flowed like water without ever touching the ground.
The Veil.
The ancient border separating Earth Z from Earth.
Only those granted permission by the Crown could pass through while keeping their powers.
Two royal guards stepped forward.
Both wore silver armour marked with the royal crest.
One bowed respectfully.
"My Lord."
"My Lady."
"Your Royal Passage, please."
Choolwe handed over the King's seal.
The guard examined it carefully before nodding.
"Everything is in order."
He stepped aside.
"You may cross."
Before either of them moved...
Tamara landed gracefully beside them in her tiny fairy form.
Chansa smiled.
"I wondered where you had gone."
Tamara looked up at them.
"I wanted to say goodbye properly."
She flew over to Mwansa, who was just beginning to wake.
The little girl smiled the moment she saw the tiny fairy.
Tiny fingers reached towards her.
Tamara gently held one of them.
Her expression softened.
"Be brave, little one."
"You won't remember me for a while..."
"But I'll always be watching over you."
Chansa frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Tamara quickly smiled.
"I mean..."
"I'll visit whenever I can."
She looked at Choolwe.
"Remember everything I told you."
He nodded.
"I will."
Tamara's gaze lingered on Chansa.
"Trust each other."
"No matter what."
"There will come a day when trusting each other will be all you have."
Neither of them fully understood her words.
But they trusted Tamara enough not to question them.
She hugged Chansa's finger.
Then Choolwe's.
Before kissing Mwansa gently on the forehead.
"I'll see you again."
With that...
She flew backwards.
Watching silently as the family approached the Veil.
•••
The silver barrier shimmered brighter as Choolwe and Chansa stepped forward.
The moment Choolwe placed one foot through it...
A sharp pain shot through his body.
He gritted his teeth.
His wolf growled deep within him.
Hold on...
We're almost through.
He reached back and held Chansa's hand tightly.
"You ready?"
She smiled nervously.
"As long as I'm with you."
Together...
They stepped through.
A blinding white light swallowed them whole.
The air around them changed instantly.
The magic became thinner.
Quieter.
Different.
Chansa staggered forward.
Her stomach twisted violently.
"Choolwe..."
Before he could reach her...
She fell to her knees.
She barely had time to turn her head before she began throwing up.
"Chansa!"
He rushed towards her.
"Stop!"
She raised a trembling hand.
"Don't touch me."
"My powers..."
"They're trying to settle."
"If you touch me now..."
"They'll hurt you."
Another wave of pain ripped through her body.
She cried out.
"My love..."
Choolwe ignored every warning.
He wrapped both arms around her.
Immediately, the pain spread into his own body.
His muscles tightened.
Magic surged wildly beneath his skin.
His wolf roared.
Take half of it.
Quickly!
Without hesitation, Choolwe absorbed part of the unstable magic flowing through his mate.
The pain eased almost instantly.
Chansa's breathing slowly returned to normal.
She looked up at him.
"You never listen."
He smiled.
"Not when it comes to you."
She laughed weakly through her tears.
"I suppose I married the right man."
"I know you did."
Behind them...
The Veil quietly disappeared.
The journey to Earth...
Had officially begun.
- Writer
