story(unamed)--chapter 12

Chap. 12
Serenity awoke early that morning and lied down on her “bed”, thinking. Today, she, Esmera, Jason, and Shinku would leave Albyra. Serenity recalled all that she had gone through since she had met Jason.
She and Jason were attacked in his room. In an attempt to protect Serenity, Jason had somehow managed to teleport himself and Serenity into the world of Alercaria. She had landed in front of a castle in a little part of Alercaria called Albyra. She had met Jason’s dragon, Shinku, and together, they flew to Isabella, the queen of Albyra. She met Isabella and both she and Jason—whose real name was Rivon and was an elf—explained to Serenity about her past. Later that night, a fake white fox led Serenity outside where she would get ambushed by a pack of wolves. She had learned about a mysterious girl named Islaria, who was a memory from Jason’s past. Jason had given Serenity a necklace with a chip of the Firestar in it; it told Serenity about Jason, such as whether he was dead or injured. Now, after all Serenity had experienced, she was about to go on a journey with her friends to the elf city, Mirthira, where she would possibly be safe from Rellark.
Serenity sighed, knowing that she had to get up, and turned around to wake Esmera. To her surprise, Esmera wasn’t there. Serenity panicked. Esmera? Serenity called out.
Yes? I’m here. Esmera answered without hesitation.
Where?
Down by the waterfall.
Hold on, I’m coming. Serenity got up and walked to the waterfall. She got there within a few minutes and found Esmera staring sadly into the water. She came up beside her and asked, “Oh, Esmera. What’s wrong?”
The fact that we’re leaving today and that we might never see Isabella again, she mused.
Serenity shook her head. “Don’t think like that. You never know what is going to come in the future. Someday, when all this is over, we will come back to Albyra and see everyone. But first we need to do what we were supposed to do a hundred years ago. Defeat Rellark, take the Firestar away from him, and find the Icestar.
“And I’ve been wondering about something. Jason said there were two others like us. You know, our own little group that was supposed to help us do what we were supposed to do. Jason also said they were still alive and managed to escape Rellark. I wonder who they are. It would be so wonderful if we could find them and team up.”
Sure. . .
Serenity glanced up. “Don’t you want them to find us? Or we find them?”
I guess. . .
Serenity knew Esmera was too sad to fully understand and answer her. So she just sat back, closed her eyes, and drifted off into thought. After a while, Esmera touched Serenity’s shoulder with her nose. Shouldn’t we be going?
“You’re right,” Serenity murmured, eyes still closed. She sighed, and pulled herself up. Serenity took her pack from last night and got up to bid everyone and everything goodbye.

Serenity stood outside the castle doors with Jason, Esmera, and Shinku. By her side was Arabella and Jason’s horse, Raider. Jason had packed Arabella’s saddle with food and sorts, and Raider’s with their clothes and some medicine, in case something happened on the road. Serenity had her own bag on her back, and the necklace Jason had given her around her neck.
Isabella came up with several men behind her. “Here, Serenity and Esmera. My gift to you guys for your journey.” She beckoned the men forward and they dropped something big and heavy and leather at Serenity’s feet. She glanced down at it.
“It’s a saddle,” Jason spoke up from where he was next to Arabella. “You will use it when you have to ride Esmera.”
Serenity looked up at Isabella, tears in her eyes. “T-Thank you so much, Isabella. You have shown me great hospitality while I was here. Someday, I will pay you back.”
Isabella shook her head. “Nonsense, Serenity. You never have to pay me back in any way. The saddle is just a simple gesture of my thanks for you being able to fight against Rellark for Alercaria.”
Serenity nodded, and bent down to trace her fingers along the stitches in the fine leather. The stitches were evenly apart and strong to be able to use for a long period of time. Jason came forth and heaved it onto Esmera’s back.
The glorious saddle fit perfectly on Esmera. Every curve that was made into it fit exactly on Esmera’s back. “Go on,” urged Jason.
Serenity shook her head. “Maybe later. After all, we have to get going.” The truth was, Serenity wasn’t all that eager to ride, yet.
Jason nodded, agreeing with Serenity. He took a step up to Isabella, and hugged her. Then he stepped back and bowed. “Goodbye. . . Isabella.” Isabella came up to him, and whispered something in his ear. Jason’s eyes widened in surprise, but then he managed to regain his face. He listened intently, and then nodded before stepping back.
Serenity took that as the cue for her to say her own farewells. She stepped up and Isabella grasped her in a hug. “Farewell, Serenity. May we see each other again. Remember what I told you, be careful, be safe, and watch out for Rellark.”
Serenity hugged her, and then let go. “Thank you for everything, Isabella. Goodbye.” Serenity went back to where Jason and the others were waiting for her. They took all their things, and turned around and walked into the forest with a last glance at Isabella, Albyra, and the castle.