They hadn't even had time to process what was happening. The disease swept across the land so fast, there was nothing that could be done. Within days, the city had fallen into chaos. The twins watched the kingdom burn together, looked on in despair as thick black plumes of smoke billowed towards the sky. Dust and ash fell like tainted snow from the heavens. It was then they knew the gods would not come for them, would provide no aid for their people. They had worshiped the same deities for millennia, been faithful to the gods throughout even the greatest of wars, and had nothing to show for it but a kingdom crumbling to the ground. Elisif turned to her brother, watching as he pulled the armor from his body, desperate to rid himself of the extra weight. And so, too, the golden mare shed her baubles and jewels and fled into the murky night, leaving behind any trace of her former life.
The forest grew darker and darker, the trail before her obscured by thick shadows that seemed to twist their way around her body until she could see no more. "Fuss, Elisif! Meg foglak találni!" she heard her brother's voice from somewhere far away, guiding her deeper into the treacherous night. Further and further she pushed, and then suddenly, everything was pitch black. A scream pulled from her ashen lips as she felt herself falling down, towards something unknown.
And then, she was awake, her small body supine on the cool earth. Slowly, she became aware of her surroundings. The smell of old leaves and damp earth filled her nose, the chill of autumn seeping into her bones. Sunlight shone through the copse of trees, speckling the earth with warm golden light. In the canopy far above, a lone songbird sang its saccharine tune. Slowly, the young mare's eyes opened, long ivory lashes fluttering against pale golden cheeks as she blinked the dreamless sleep from her eyes. "Kus ma olen?" she wondered to herself. It took several more moments before the memories came flashing back to her - the castle, the fire, her brother's voice as her legs carried her away.
Frantically, the honeyed mare scrambled to her hooves, dirt and leaves flying about her as she struggled to find her balance. "Elakine, felszólítom önt a szükségem idején, kérlek, kösd össze a testvéremmel." she thought, her heart pounding against her ribs like a frantic animal caught in a trap. I'll find you, he'd said, and she could only trust that he would keep this promise. Perhaps it would be best to wait. Although her heart ached and her eyes burned with unshed tears, she refused to cry. She was no weak little princess - she could and would survive without her brother. And when they finally came together as one, they would be stronger than before. It was only a matter of time.
Taking a deep breath, Elisif shook the dirt and leaves from her body, willing her frantic heart to calm itself. The sun was still high in the sky - early afternoon, she guessed. A gentle, shaky sigh ghosted past her lips. Although her entire body felt like it was trembling, and her legs ached to carry her away from this awful place, she knew she should stay put - if only for Kasan's benefit. And so she did, waiting for someone who might never come.
Translations:
"Fuss, Elisif! Meg foglak találni!" - "Keep running, Elisif! I'll find you!"
"Hol vagyok?" - "Where am I?"
"Felszólítom önt a szükségem idején, kérlek, kösd össze a testvéremmel." - "I call upon you in my time of need, please reunite me with my brother."