Hah, hah, *awkwardly reaches to scratch shoulder blade.* Sorry guys... It's been like a month? *throws hands up for face protection* Just calm down, read it up, and drink some tea okay?
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It had been slightly less than a week when all of the deceased had been burried, the injured placed back in their homes, and all of the soldiers had returned back to Palladia. Almost everyone living had lost a family member or friend in the battle at Wraithmarsh.
I had guards stationed around the perimeter of Acantha wood, and on the other borders in case of an attack. Men and women were sluggish in stature, even though we had won this small battle. We are always ready for an attack, but spirits are still low.
Now in this mess I hadn't forgotten my dear friend Deliah. As soon as I had people to take over Gwyn's as well as the other leader's positions, a small crew and I made way to the Hataed Mountains. A day's rest, and a steep climb up the mountains followed the battle. It was only half a days journey to reach the bottom on the mountains by flying. If it were possible, we would have tried to open portals to make travel quicker, but there is ancient magic that somehow prevents it.
Gwyn, Ren, and two other escorts from Gwyn's division accompanied me on the journey. Because of the ancient dark magic that hung over the land, our magic grew weak beyond useage. I had barely begun to rely on it, so it was easy for me to get used to not using it. For my four escorts, it was near impossible.
The second half of the first day climbing, the dark was becoming too ominous to see. We all decided that resting for the night would be a good idea. There was only one slender craggy path that sloped up in every direction through the mountains. As soon as a large enough cave for five was located, we took refuge.
Steady mist turned into light showers when we entered the cool dry cave. Our clothes were damp, so Gwyn begun to gather what ever dry brush and wood he could find outside that had fallen from trees above before the rain poured on harder. Making myself useful, I collected stones and made a firepit to put the wood in.
Ren was quiet the entire trip. He kept to himself, and pulled out provisions.
My other two escorts, Arlyss and Avalbane, set up sleeping positions for the five of us. They are twin brothers around the age of twenty-three who have practically grown up alongside Gwyn. He suggested them as additional bodyguards for me, knowing them to be hardworking and trustworthy.
Peeling off my raven colored cloak, I breathe in the smell of the cave. Each movement echos in the ceiling, causing me to shiver. The atmosphere is sort of unsettling and creepy, but I remind myself that not only is it mind over matter to stay here, but I also have four incredibly capable and strong men by my side.
Avalbane pulls out a deerskin pelt from his pack and hands it to me. His kind grey eyes twinkle at me in the dim light. I placed a hand on his and thanked him. He and his wife back home are expecting their second child. Somehow he manages to keep his wits and focus on our mission even though he might miss the birth.
Arlyss has a wife waiting for him back home too. He also keeps composure quite easily, although he is the chattier one of the two. Gwyn and the twins have talked most of the way here, while Ren and I stay silent. Internally, I know he is poisoning himself with worry for his beloved Deliah. So badly I want to reach out to him and tell him that everything will be okay, but I won't because I know he wants to be left alone.
Wrapping the deerskin around me tightly, I glance at the entrance of the cave to see the sillhouette of Gwyn with a bundle in his arms, dark brown curls plastered to his head from the rain. He carefully places the wood that stayed dry under his shirt into the firepit. "Erif." he mutters. A slap on the forehead follows as he realizes that we cannot use our magic.
Flustered, he glances around at all of us looking for an answer.
"I will look for flint of some sort. You're all lucky I haven't missed a summer camp opportunity in years..." so I got up, and explored the cave, crawling into the small space at the end. At first, I thought something caught my eye. It took a second for my eyes to adjust, but only a few seconds of crawling in, and a crystal cave lie right in front of me.
Once out of the short tunnel, I hunched over in the room which was probably only four feet tall. The size of the cave couldn't be more than twelve feet back, but it was still an impressive amount of crystals, irridescant purples and greens. They shot out from the ground at an angle, a couple feet tall and rather wide and encrusted the walls and ceiling.
Air around me felt warm, like an early June day. I reached out to touch the closest crystal, and my fingers felt hot and a wave of fatigue and nausea clouded me. Brosba.
Even though they were close by, the shouting of "Have you found anything yet?" "Are you alright?" sounded distant. There was no way that any of them at that size could fit through the tunnel, so I tried to pull myself through with the last bit of strength I had. Only my head and elbows peeped out, and I could see all four of them rushing over to pull me out.
I was set down on soft furs, but it was hard to make out who put me there. "The cave is filled with brosba. That's why we can't use our powers. But it's warm in there. If only one of you were small enough to bring some back we could actually have heat in here." I whispered.
All I could hear was shuffling feet, and the sound of their low voices trying to figure something out. My mind drifted in and out of consciousness and through it all was a loud banging noise that snapped me back into reality every so often.
Steady warmth swirled around me as I became aware of someone putting the glowing brosba on either side of the cave. Finally the banging and shuffling ceased, and I lulled into a deep sleep for the night.
***
An aroma of wet earth was the first to touch my senses. I heaved a satisfied sigh and surveyed the cave. My four escorts sat near the entrance stealing the warmth from the brosba they managed to put there. I shot a look back to where the treasure room was, and laughed in disbelief to see a gaping hole in the wall. That explains the noise last night...
Thought subtle as my laugh was, it echoed and startled everyone. The twins simultaneously grinned and Arylss was the first one to bring me breakfast. Or was it lunchtime? Hard to tell when the light is gray most of the day.
When we packed up and hit the trail, the rain had finally ceased. As usual Ren and I stayed quiet and listened to the other three's conversation. I tuned in and out depending on if what they were saying was interesting enough or not. The wet, black, stone trail was slick with a recent shower and all of us lost our footing at one point or another.
Incline became steeper, and it was finally turn for Gwyn to fall. His companions each gripped an arm to prevent him from falling. We must have been a couple hundred feet up by now, considering the pressure in my head and the mist swirling around us. So, if one of us were to fall off of the six foot wide path, that clearly wouldn't fare well.
A scream unvoluntarily escaped my mouth during the scare. They all turned, exchanged amused glances, and let out hearty chuckles. Blood rose to my face as Avalbane nudged Gwyn saying something containing the words 'she' 'sweet' 'you'.
"What?" I said, my voice wavering in anger.
Arlyss cocked an eyebrow. "Oh nothin'. You just had quite a reaction." his lip twitched but he supressed a smile.
"Someone has to care about the well being of the people of the kingdom." I retorted, folding my arms in defiance.
This caused another round of laughter from the three stooges. Gwyn sized me up. A knot twisted in my stomach and my cheeks felt hot again. He only smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye. Our search party was back to heading for Deliah.
Ren strode beside me lethargically. My other escorts had longer legs therefore giving them further strides so they stayed ahead a few feet. Within earshot though. Avalbane clamped a hand on Gwyn's shoulder.
"That fall back there was almost as nasty a turnout as my little sister's tenth birthday. Remember that? When you were bringing the lass that handmade flute you crafted, down the hill? Oh! I remember it like yesterday when you tripped on that pebble and tumbled to the bottom breaking your arm in the process!"
Both brothers busted up laughing and Gwyn in turn replied in a high defensive voice. "It was indeed not a pebble I tell you! That there was a good sized rock, and how was I supposed to see it? Your farm was just dirt back then..."
"Jest think what you want Gwyn. It turned out well though," Arlyss turned his head to wink at me like he was sharing a secret. "Little Brie was in training to be a nurse and she stayed by your bedside for weeks during the healing."
Gwyn mumbled something and crossed his arms. Arlyss and Avalbane just continued to chuckle as they teased him. Clearly, something had gone on between the two of them. But why do I care? I don't care...
Besides. Gwyn is probably way older than me. "Hey-uh, Gwyn?"
He glanced back at me. "Yes?"
"How old are you exactly?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "Nineteen in a month."
When I said 'oh' he looked again at me as if to ask why, but seemed deep in thought and traveled on ahead of me. Mentally I was doing a happy dance. 19?! He's not too old for me after all. You don't even know him though Lily! You're too quick with attraction. Slow it down.
I kept on reminding myself that I barely even knew the guy, and that I don't need to deal with anything else more than I already have to.