The young one could not sit still. There was a need, a desire to explore grinding behind the gears of her mind. Once more she pressed forward, running towards the water’s edge of her new found home to spread her wings wide – embracing the wind with a sigh of content. Escaping the oppressive confines of the earth, and climbing ever higher into the atmosphere.
 
This was freedom, being able to dance and chase the streams – gliding comfortably, or darting here or there for a little bit of action. For the time being Ru did not mind the somber pace as she began to plateau in her path. Gazing down across the snow covered terrain with interest. Studying the earth from down below, and amusing herself with the dots of animals or equine as they passed (or so she assumed).
 
She made her way up north from the Dragon’s Throat, circling around Helovia’s heart – amazed by the breadth and appearance of the crater. She had no prior knowledge of its name, and without a teacher she could only assume that the sky had thrown a piece of itself down there. Or perhaps it was cursed to smolder forever and ever? Despite its tempting warmth, rolling and pushing her about as she flew, she was drawn by what lay further ahead. Recalling what Maren had said of the Hidden Falls; something about following the river and moving north.
 
Without the night sky it was hard to navigate, especially as the clouds gathered – blocking the celestial bodies from view at most times. Thinking that she was indeed pressing forward, ‘north’, she went ahead and abandoned the hot warmth below. Adventure, it appeared, seemed to have seared into her young heart. For a while longer she felt lost; perhaps she should have turned back? Did she make note of enough land marks to find her way back home…?
 
It had become second nature for the worries to envelop the girl (perhaps less prominent as they filtered behind her musings). But without due harm, because she had survived thus far – lost in a foreign land, without the assurance of a guiding hand to tell her where to go. It did however; invoke a sense of emptiness, a stagnant will that appeared purposeless until one understood the peace behind it. Because if she had not embraced this feeling, there were other thoughts and questions struggling to gain the child’s attention, such that the child would rather ignore.
 
Without realizing it then, Ru settled her heart with peace, in the silences, and in the threats ahead, carrying on with a hopeful unknown. She might be lost, but she had been lost before all the same. It was with a growing confidence that she stayed her course, taking note of the terrain and peculiar landmarks to usher her forward.
 
The sight of a long streaming river brought some reassurance. Noting the pregnant sky, heavy with snow, she dipped below to hover above the meadow. Being several paces from the streaming river, the sound rolled and gurgling beside, procured a giggle from the child. Adjusting her wings then, to settle into the snow.
 
She squeaked from the cool touch. The snow was rather tall here, and came up just above her knees. Tossing her head she plowed up beside the river, spotting a large tree just ahead. She came to a stop, shook herself from all that frost and snow dust.
 
Ru stood still then, holding her breath for a moment as her heart pumped behind her ears and slowed. It was awfully quiet here. The clouds up above seemed poised, and without avail snow began to fall from the skies. Big, fat clumps of snow.
 
She was surprised how quiet it was. How still the world had become, with the exception of the fluffy snow. Her blue-green eyes scanned about the terrain, surprisingly content with the lack of noise. And how very alone she was, how small and insignificant she had become.