Chapter 42

"It's a her, not a him. If she wants to be seen, then you will see her," Rhobart said.

They walked through a tunnel for about five minutes until they entered a huge cave.

Ayla froze. She could not believe her eyes. The cave was magical. There was no other word to describe it. In the middle of the cave stood the biggest tree Ayla had ever seen. It was so thick that probably twenty men standing in a circle, with their arms extended, couldn't circle it. And it was so tall that Ayla couldn't even see its top. Nightingale sat on the tree's branches and sang.

Grass and flowers of all colors covered the entire cave floor like a rug. Butterflies and dragonflies dance in the air. Kerra started running after some butterflies, and Ayla chuckled.

Magical crystals that shined so brightly that it seemed the sun shined inside the cave stood close to the walls.

At the end of the cave, Ayla saw a waterfall with a big pool.

It was warm inside, so Ayla took her cloak off. Rhobart did the same.

Rhobart stopped walking and asked, "What do you think?"

"I think I have died and entered the Eternal Gardens," Ayla said while she looked at everything with fascination.

Rhobart laughed, "I guess this place is similar to Inoss' Gardens."

The King went to the big tree, while Ayla got down from Spirit and kept looking at the cave. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

Ayla looked at Kerra, who was sniffing some flowers. The snowcat sneezed so hard, she fell on her butt. She shook her head, got up, and started eating grass.

'Crazy snowcat," Ayla thought and laughed.

After that, Ayla went to where Rhobart was. He was talking to the tree, but she only heard his last words.

" – anything, and I will cut you down!"

"You want to cut the tree?" Ayla asked in disbelief. "But it is a tree spirit! How can you even think about doing something like this?"

Rhobart turned to look at Ayla.

"I will not cut Daya. It is my way of greeting her. She would probably kill me if I ever try it," he said and looked with fondness at the tree.

"Daya? Is that her name?"

Rhobart nodded and started walking toward Runner and Spirit.

"Let me take the saddles off the horses, and then I will show you the waterfall. You will like it," he said over his shoulder.

While Ayla waited for Rhobart, she kneeled next to some flowers she wanted to see better. Some were medicinal plants, and Ayla was happy because she could add them to her small stock of plants – plants she took from the foodshed when she found some.

She extended her arm to touch the petals of a purple flower, and a little blue dragonfly landed on the back of her hand. Ever since she could remember, Ayla loved dragonflies.

Ayla stood still, looking at the little dragonfly. To her surprise, another one landed on her hand. The echo of a memory appeared in her mind, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. But Ayla had the feeling that something similar had happened to her before when she was much younger. She tried to remember, but the memory was so foggy, and she let it go. The moment Ayla stopped thinking about it, the echo of the memory disappeared as if it never existed.

When Ayla felt the presence of Rhobart, she looked up, only to find him staring at the dragonflies. Shock and disbelief were written all over his face. Ayla looked back at the dragonflies.

"Let's go to the waterfall," Rhobart finally said in a shaky voice.

Ayla looked at him, "Is something the matter?"

"Just something I remembered," Rhobart said before turning and walking towards the waterfall.

Kerra came running to Ayla, and before the princess had a chance to reach, the snowcat ate one of the dragonflies. The other flew away, avoiding being eaten by Kerra.

"Kerra! They are not for you to eat!" Ayla said, but the snowcat was already chasing more dragonflies.

Ayla sighed and stood.