Jubilant Sight

JP with Lorem and Omni

Gonyaul shouted in triumph, his voice returned anew from the days of adequate hydration, as the river came into view. It was a glorious sight in the arid desert, like the promised kiss of spring after a long winter. He looked to Voah beaming with pride for their collaboration through the struggles to now.

“We did it.” He smiled from ear to ear, putting strong emphasis on the ‘we’ part. Truly, Voah had been an inspiration exercising her natural qualities as a leader and nurturer admidst it all.

The river was wide in some parts and thin in others. It couldn’t be called an oasis; however, plant life did exist near the edges. It was mainly reeds and other thin plants. This meant no floating contraption was going to be possible to fabricate.

Birds, like herons, could be seen, some storks, a lot of birds of prey and smaller birds.

Reptiles, like alligators, some fish, and of course other desert animals that come and use the river for drinking could be seen sparingly further down the river towards the horizon line.

The sudden shout of jubilation caught Voah off guard as she plodded forward nearly running into Gonyaul who had stopped to celebrate. It didn’t take her long to realize what his victory dance was about.

She wouldn’t go as far as celebrating an absolute victory, for they had still another week to go at the least and if the past week had told her anything, it was that anything can happen. But it was to her great relief that Naravas had not led them astray.

The greeting of luscious green was a welcome and beautiful sight after so many days of brown and gold dunes, even it was only reeds. The sight was a promise of more to come.

She could not hide the smile that Gonyaul naturally evoked from her.

First things first. Resupply. Had she not lost her Odonine bow in the sandstorm they might have an easier time catching an animal to eat. To the river they went for water and hopefully fish.

Gonyaul picked up the burdensome camping materials that he had let fall to the sand in his gesture of joy. He looked to the river like it was a welcoming long lost friend, picking up where they had left off. His steps towards the water source felt lighter than before.

He spoke into the breeze, “Life makes way, even in the most hard places. Love can also make way even in driest of hearts.” He was speaking to the world and reaffirming himself of his resolve to never give up hope in their circumstances or in others.

When they arrived at the river, they continued a ways before finding a particular embankment that was suitable for setting up camp. There were no signs of creatures there, a fact that could easily change like the wind; however, they decided it best not to setup too close to the water. Setup went fairly quickly, maybe in part to their jubilant situation or perhaps from all the practice they had gotten. It was like they could read each other’s minds while assisting each other getting it all up and in order.

Once finished Gonyaul and Voah stood side by side looking at the river with a wanton look in their eyes. His arm was around her and resting on her opposite hip. It was a picturesque scene of two young lovers wistfully gazing towards a distant future, past the immediate moment. The sun was peeking halfway up over the horizon casting a warm golden glow upon them like a blessing.

Gonyaul knew this early morning, when the temperature would be transitioning from the cold of night to the hot day, was an opportunity to take advantage of the water before any of those larger reptiles they saw a ways back warmed up enough to be active.

Gonyaul broke the pregnant respite first, “You want first bath or second?” Thinking it prudent that one stand guard and watch for trouble both in the water and out.