Macster - The Missing Links

Virginia moaned, leaning on her staff, and put a hand to her back as she struggled to climb the very rocky, very narrow path. She did not want to admit she was wrong, she didn't want to give her father the satisfaction even if he wasn't here to hear it, but it was clear by now that, whether or not this was the right trail, it was certainly the most difficult.

Panting, she shaded her eyes and tried to see the top, but the path was so faint unless she was right on top of it that she could see nothing but the uneven ground, the lichen-coated rocks, the hardy grass clinging to the soil, and the swelling rise of the broken peaks around her. Even where she was it was hard to see the path.

"The one time he had to be right," she muttered.

Groaning, she gazed around at the astonishing landscape of mountains and valleys, rivers and waterfalls, pure blue sky and ivory clouds. It was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen in her life, certainly more than anything she'd seen so far on this adventure, and if she weren't so angry and tired she would stay to appreciate it. If she were to be stuck far away from home by a broken mirror, it could be in much uglier places.

But she didn't want to be stuck here, and the only possible people who might help her get home were hopefully somewhere farther up this mountain. Focusing on her faith that this was true, as well as her anger at her father, Virginia took a deep breath and once more began to climb.