Chapter 16

“We lead a way towards a purpose,” Min’sun said as the pair descended into the valley.

Ga’min nodded. “During my search, I had found something I had never thought I would see again. I vowed, that once I returned Ism’klu to her lover, I would take you to this very special place.”

Min’sun caught up to her as she stopped atop a small cliff, the woman looking around the valley as if a scout on a hunt. “Is it your home?”

Ga’min shook her head. “It is not. But it is to me a very special place, a place I have only been to once. A place which changed me into the woman I have become today.” She continued down the hill.

Min’sun nodded and continued walking after her.

From above, the valley had not looked so large. But, as the pair descended towards the river, day turned into night, turning into day, turning into night.

Finally, Ga’min stopped in front of a house deep inside the woods like she had never seen, for the house was made of still growing trees and bushes and flowers.

“The hands which made this must be very patient, and very talented,” Min’sun said.

Ga’min nodded and knocked on the door.

There was no reply.

She knocked again.

There was still no reply.

“Was the person home when you last visited?” Min’sun asked.

Ga’min shook her head. “She was not here. I did enter to make sure Ism’klu was not inside because at the time I was still seeking her. But, no, it was empty the last time I was here many months ago. It would appear the same is true today.” She sighed softly. “I so did want you to be introduced to her who changed my life so much.”

Min’sun cocked her head to one side and smiled. “I would like to meet her, too, if she means so much to you! If she means so much to you, then she certainly means so much to me!”

Ga’min could only nod and sigh.

The other woman smiled to her, taking her hand. “What was the name of this wonderful woman?”

Ga’min could only shake her head, saying she did not know the woman’s true name. “By legend, she was known as the Forest Princess. But her true name, I do not know.”

Min’sun smiled again. “Then we shall travel and find the Forest Princess. Perhaps we will find someone who knows.”

“Perhaps we will,” Ga’min said, not so sure herself.

For many days they asked.

For many days, they received no answer.

Towns drifted past them, but without their princess within, they held no interest.

It was finally in a town full of many olive-skinned women who knew the answer or at least held a clue.

“We have heard she travels south, young ma’ams,” one of the elders said. She smiled. “Your words have traveled through these lands and have been heard by many. Love and making love now rule much of this land.” She looked to the south, where her mood seemed to grow darker. “But there, the rule of the men still remains. Men who still spread violence, men who still hate, men who still wage war.”

Ga’min nodded. “I was once one of those warriors.”

The woman smiled at her. “This we know. This we know. We know your ways then, and how you conquered many to their ends. And we also know of the Forest Princess, who changed your ways.”

“This she did,” Ga’min said. “Min’sun has kept me on that path with her own love.”

The woman nodded. “This we also know. And we know that your love has spread – but it reaches a barrier it has not yet been able to break in the south. Legend says that the Forest Princess herself has traveled down there but has become lost in the haze of war. No one knows her fate, but she must be saved so that all lands can learn to love. The woman sighed again, this time a longer, sadder sigh. “Some say that, without her love, without your love, we all might become lost again.”

Ga’min nodded in understanding. “Then I will go to the south to find the Forest Princess.”

The woman grasped her forearm. “Be careful, ma’am. The wills of these evil men are strong.”

“So is love,” Ga’min said with a smile.

And with that, Ga’min and Min’sun set their faces to the south.