The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 57

They probably walked for an hour in silence, although it was difficult to judge time in the seemingly endless tunnel. Char knew Iris was walking blindly without the fairies to light her way, but she kept up with Rath's pace, tension written in every line of her face. He was glad she couldn't see Rath. His frequent glances back over their shoulders were unnerving, especially since Char still had no idea what they were running from. And the fairies hadn't returned.

"Do you smell that?" Rath finally asked.

Char sniffed and nodded. "Fresh air."

"Yeah." Rath exhaled in a loud whoosh. "We should be safe now, but the sooner we can get above ground, the better."

"Safe from what?" Char asked.

"Ah, well, I don't know what it's called," Rath said slowly. "Father and I ran into one once. It just looks like a dark cloud, but it moves, and if you get stuck in it, you'll suffocate."

"But - you sent the fairies into it," Iris gasped in shock.

"Well, they wouldn't have gone if they thought it was dangerous to them," Rath said defensively.

"They'll do anything for Iris," Char reminded him.

"No, he's right," Iris said. "They need convincing sometimes, and they didn't even hesitate."

Her words were steady and confident, but she was still worried. Char could see it in the tightness across her shoulders and the nervousness in her eyes. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"I don't remember you or Father talking about anything like that," he said to Rath, wanting more information about whatever was chasing them.

"We...may have cut that one a bit close," Rath admitted. "He didn't want to worry Mother, especially since it was one of the first times he took me anywhere. You were still finishing flight school at the time."

"What happened?" Char pressed him.

"Uh...well...I passed out, so I don't really know all of it, but Kelnor was yelling at Father when I came to."

"Kelnor bailed you out?" Char asked incredulously.

"Ye-yeah, maybe," Rath said sheepishly.

Char shook his head. "What was he even doing there?"

Rath sighed. "It was actually a mission assigned to him and Father, but Father thought it was going to be an easy one, so he asked me if I wanted to come along. Of course I said yes. We took off before he was supposed to meet up with Kelnor."

"Wait. The Black Mountain mission?"

Rath nodded and grimaced. "That's the one."

"That thing," Char continued, pointing down the tunnel behind them, "is responsible for what happened at Black Mountain?"

"Not that particular one, but yeah."

"What happened at Black Mountain?" Iris asked.

"Unexplained disappearances and mass nightmares. It kept getting worse until the king ordered everybody to be evacuated. It's been under guard ever since. Nobody's allowed in," Rath replied. "I don't know how Kelnor got us away from that thing, but we would have died if he hadn't shown up."

"A whole team was sent there after Father and Kelnor's mission failed," Char explained to Iris. "With a mage for extra support. They never came back." He looked over her to Rath's grim face. "You saved our lives."

He shrugged. "Yeah, well."

"Thank you, Rath," Iris said softly.

Rath grinned. "It was nothing. I think I see light up ahead."