We ran away two days ago. Two days. It took us two days to reach halfway. We had run for two days, as far as we could go. Now, all there was left to do was make it there as fast as possible, before they realized we were gone. The very second the kingdom realized their princess and her handmaidens weren’t on the honeymoon, and instead of being there with her “husband” had ditched it, filed a divorce, and left her arranged marriage with her wonderful handmaidens in tow to go see her real love, they would be pursued. Despite the constant worry that they would be captured, the journey was quite pleasant. She was very close with her four friends, and they knew everything about her, as she did them. It was nice traveling with her four best friends along side her, helping her escape from her vindictive father and “husband” to her real love, whom she had been writing letters to: Liluth. She loved her dearly, and it excited her even more to know that she was halfway to reuniting with her. Her daydream of a heartfelt reunion was interrupted by Shysha, one of her handmaidens. “Maisha, do you see that? Those flashing lights upon our horizon?” I looked up in surprise, and realized yes. there were flashing lights on the horizon. After examining them closer I realized, those were lights she recognized. They were about a half mile away, and signaling her. It was Liluth. She knew. She began to sprint, dragging her friends along with her, running to the lights. Once they had arrived, out of breath and excited. They had overshot it! They weren’t four days away, just a mere two! They were safe. They waited outside the walls of the tall city, Baen. Inside, she was sure, was Liluth. Once they were allowed in, they rushed through the gates, quickly locating the light’s source. And sure enough, there was Liluth. A heartfelt embrace followed full of deep kisses, and whispered words of assurance. After they had caught up and introduced all of her handmaidens, only then did Maisha notice and old woman manning the light. The old woman smiled a toothless smile, knowing that she was unnerving. She said, with an oddly young voice. “You have faced your hardships. Only joy awaits you. The rest of the road is fruitful” And with that she was gone. I have to admit. Looking at Liluth, and feeling pure joy, she knew. The strange woman was right.