The Place On The Other Side

The Journey Continued

Dolyia woke up early that next morning. She laid in bed rethinking about everything that has happened and all the things she found out about herself. It was still hard for her to believe that she had found this place, that she was a princess, royal blood, and that her Ma was still alive. She got up, put on the new set of clothes she bought and washed up. She dug through the food, grabbed out an apple and a jar of oatmeal. After eating she packed everything back into her pack bag and left the room. Going up to the reception desk, where Genny was standing to return her key, she looked over at the tables and saw the man from the market area again. With his pack all packed and ready to go, she turned to Genny.

　　"Here's the room key. It was a comfortable bed. Thank you very much. Also do you happen to know that man over there?" She said, nodding her head in the man's direction.

　　Genny looked over to the man, smiled and said. "Yes, I do but he'll introduce himself soon. And a big thank you as well, can't take anything for free, such an honest heart. Bless you child."

　　She patted Dolyia’s hands with her own and turned away, Dolyia now being confused once again, walked over to the man sitting in the far corner of the room. As she went to sit down, the man jumped up and pulled her chair out for her, and helped her scoot it forward to the table. He sat back down into his seat and took his hat off. Dolyia knew then who he was. It was Jon, a man that would help her Ma occasionally when they were in the market at the village near her old farm. He was about three years older than her mum, and still had a younger man's look to him.

　　Dolyia said right away. "Jon, how do you know about this place? Did you get here the same way I did?"

　　She had so many questions now, she couldn't stop herself. It had been about four years since she had seen him and he hadn't changed a bit. She wondered what he was doing here in this world and why was he hanging around the inn and market area at the same time as she was.

　　"Well, I knew you'd recognize me. I have been here waiting for you the past year when your Ma came back. She wanted me to assist you on your journey to the castle. You seem to be on the right track so far." Jon replied softly.

　　Dolyia had almost forgotten that her Ma was alive until he mentioned it. She was now ready to go. But held herself calm and patient, she then said. "I'm so happy to see you again. Did you come here with my Ma?"

　　"No, I showed up about a month after her. When everyone in the village was looking for her, I knew right away she'd come here. I didnt know whether she was taken or if she came on her own, but I soon found out she came by request of her parents on her own will." Jon replied.

　　"That's when I went to see her at the castle and she told me to wait here until you arrived. So here I am and ready to go whenever you are, you look to be packed and ready as well." he added.

"Yes, I am. I'm ready now, shall we hit the road my friend?" Dolyia answered him. They both got up, and picked up their pack bags, turned and walked out of the inn waving "goodbyes and thanks" to Genny. He let her out, first opening the door for her.

　　"I'd like to stop at the water tent for a final refill. Is there anything you need as well?" He said to her,

　　"No, thank you. I've got a load of basically everything I would need." She replied smiling.

　　Coming out onto the almost empty market area on main street, she saw the sun above the hills past the village. They went to the water tent. She walked over to a different and small tent that sold trinkets and such, as Jon was filling up his water containers. There were all sorts of pretty necklaces, bracelets, and rings. They also had beautiful shawls, and headwear for women and men. Her favorite was the small fancy handbags, of all sizes and colors or patterns. She decided to ask the price of them.

　　"Excuse me, could you tell me the price of the large and small handbags, please and thank you." she asked.

　　The owner of the shop looked at her and answered happily. "The large ones are 8 each, and the small ones are 4 each."

　　Dolyia went with a large faded blue colored one and a dark red small one. She handed her the correct change after fumbling through the coins with difficulty resembling which ones were which. Then turned around to see Jon standing about three feet from her waiting patiently for her to finish her last minute shopping.

　　"All ready? Let's get going." He said with a big grin.

　　And they were off, down the main street of Penne', heading to the castle. Even though their journey was to be long they were excited and ready for the whole trip. Walking down the road, Dolyia saw that Penne' was much bigger than she thought. The road stretched for a bit down the way, and the homes and buildings along it were old but still looked very sturdy. She saw Mayor Sugman's home to the left of the road again this time in the early sun.

　　His yard was absolutely beautiful, the horses were running through his field, and the flowers were all open, soaking in the warmth from the sunshine. There were large trees in the very back of the field attached to the yard. He also had a small barn and paddocks of pigs and other farm animals. On the right side of the road lay a playground and what looked to be a small school and church side by side. The school wasn't too old looking, and had a few children playing out in the playground. The church on the other hand looked to be very very old. Its pillars were peeling paint and seemed to be leaning a bit to the right, a few of its windows were busted and or missing, and the bell wasn't in the steeple, but was laying on the ground next to the front of the church porch. It looked like no one had entered it in a long time. How sad, Dolyia thought.

　　She was happy though, that they were finally heading on. They were almost at the end of the road in no time, passing a small graveyard on the right. It had many small stones and lots of them looked to be tended to regularly. The fence around it was old and bits of it were falling over or just plain missing. It was meant for the people of Penne', being that the other bigger one was too dangerous. It was small but had a big family tomb at the back of it. She was curious about it but thought to herself that she'd some day find out more about it. When they reached the double doors, with the slot on the left and the small door on the right, in the tall wall at the end of the road, Jon stopped and looked over to her. Reaching into his pack and pulling out a scarf and his hat, he said.

　　"Alright darlin', this is it, we head through here and we'll walk the road until the next village where we can rest for the night."

　　Dolyia nodded and pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders and followed Jon though the small door on the right, onto the outer road leading to the next village.