Monday, June 20, 2011

As they stepped into the wood they were greeted by silence. Oaks were covered with lush green mosses and greenly gray ones that looked like ancient beards. The oaks themselves were gnarled and twisted, low branches grabbed at their packs and loose clothing. It was dark with the sound of occasional dripping.

" Watch your footing," Harath said. He kicked a rusted sword out of the path. Several in thier party spat on the ground repeatedly. Andor and Roarke threw salt over their shoulders.

" What is this place?" Talis said.

" Battle ground," Urwellion said. Talis gripped his sword tightly and swallowed hard and wondered why he came.

Mindor watched his companions and laughed silently.

"You don't take to super... their beliefs?" Datalis corrected himself.

Mindor gave him a sideways glance," Why should I? I put my confidence in cold steel and quick wits. That is all I need," He said.

" You don't think their could be a sword out there with your name on it? " Datalis said.

" So what if there is, I cannot avoid the Grey Man forever." With that Mindor walked away.

After some time the path changed to switchbacks and flattened out a bit. The trees were taller and spread apart opening into a canopied grove " We'll take a brake here," Harath said. After which he heaved his pack down as did others.
A few feet on was a dried out leaf covered stream, by the stream was part of a large moss covered wall. In the middle was the remains of a tower with thick mossy stones piled around it.

"What is that?" Datalis said. He pointed to the ruins.

"Ariel tower," Andor said cutting off a bit of dried fish with a cruel looking knife.

" Who lived there?" Talis said.

"Those who lived in the city below. In their the golden age of their empire," Tendleton said.

"What happened?" Datalis said.

Tendleton opened his mouth but was interrupted by Harath who gave him a cold stare. " It's bad luck to talk about battles in woods of Ariel. This is better saved for another time."

" How long before we hit Blythwood?" Datalis said. Changing the subject. Datalis looked around, everyone rested and took some water. Most had their hands on their swords or looked in the darker parts of the wood some distance off.

Tendleton opened his pack and fished out a leather tube. He pulled the lid of of one end and hit the other end of the tube and out slid a map. Tendleton bit down on a bit of dried meat thoughtfully and spread out the map before them. He pointed to a set of switch backs up the peak called Ashren and stopped at a waterway in the head of one of the switch backs further up the map. " It's two miles up to Brathon Creek which as you know is the headwaters of the great Brathon-Alion that flows..."

" Tell him what comes after that Tendle, no one wants to hear about the head waters of Brathon. Mindor said.

Tendleton shrugged, " I just thought the boy..."

" Well I don't want to hear it."Mindor belted.

" After that we come to Blythwood." Tendleton stopped. Everyone nodded silently.

A few replied, "Aye, aye," quietly.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Mountains surrounded the northern city like a looming shadow. The thick white peaks were contrasted by thick black forests that hugged the mountains below. Once out of the main city, the group of travelers spoke less. The air was hot and sticky. The flies were irritating. No matter how far they seemed to go the neighboring streets went on endlessly.

When would they get to the mountain pass?
Talis thought. He voiced his frustration to Datalis who pointed out the sparseness of the people and how the streets were narrowing. Now that Talis looked he could see guards giving way to a soldier now and then. The delicious smells of cooking meat and the sweet smells of perfumes gave way to more wild smells. Musky, herbal smells of dry grasses. The mountains were getting closer. It looked darker, steeper, and more threatening.

The people on the streets were quieter. Only Datalis and Harath spoke now and in hushed tones. They pointed to the peaks and then down at a map that both tried to hold steady in the light fluttering breeze. Steadily the ridges seemed to be getting closer, closing in around them. The streets were getting narrower and steeper.

Talis took a long swig of water. Datalis gave him a firm but kind look, "Make it last."
Finally the streets became silent all together. At the end of a narrow street stood large gate in the middle of a stone wall all that could be seen beyond was the looming peaks. From small stone house beside the gate came three heavily armored guards. The tallest was seven feet tall.

Harath went forward by himself " We seek passage through the northern gate. The two guards behind the tall guard opened the gate without another word. The heavy wooden door groaned on its hinge. Beyond this Talis saw old cobblestone streets. The houses outside the gate were made of stone. Each was surrounded by similar walls as the one that surrounded the city. At the end of the cobble stone street was a trail that sloped up and disappeared into the dark wood.
This was the passage of Rimhorn Gap.

The idea of adventure and excitement dropped like melting snow from a roof into an icy ball in the bottom of Talis's stomach. Harath lead them through without a word. The fortified outskirts of town were smothered with a thick silence. Not even the sound of a bird. Talis came last of all through the gate. he felt a heavy gust of wind as the gate slammed shut behind him. He heard it lock. It felt like the final nail in a coffin, there was no going back now.