Ralph and the Pixie

‘I dressed you in it early this morning when we placed you in the wagon,’ Theuli told her. ‘We thought you might wish to rise from your bed for a time. Your clothing was lost in the confusion when we left Mirrindale.’

Running a hand through her hair, Deborah said, ‘Where are we? How long is it since we left?’

‘We have been travelling for four days now,’ Theuli replied.

‘Four days! It seems like four months.’ She looked about the wagon. ‘Where are Rani and Zuic?’

‘They are with Ralph and Pran,’ said Theuli, indicating a point somewhere amongst the riders and wagons ahead of them.

Deborah wrapped her blanket about her, covering her ears. Moving to the rear beside Malina and Theuli, and taking a long look around, she saw that the landscape was hilly and marked by stands of large trees that were heavily laden with snow. The ground was unblemished and deep with the same white blanket.

‘It’s so beautiful.’

Malina smiled, crookedly. ‘I showed Zuic and Rani how to make snowballs.’

‘That is why they are riding with Ralph and my husband,’ said Theuli, not quite feigning annoyance.

‘Don’t blame Malina for that,’ said Deborah. ‘Ralph and I showed her about snowballs.’