Crystals of Nature

Chapter Two

In mid-autumn... Dawn...

Rhystal Rhogsaurk (eldest) sat before a crackling fire, watching the flames clung hungrily to the surface of three olkenwood logs, burning a rare colour, a colour different to your normal average fire: the inner flames burned a bright silver-white and the outer layer was a light blue. He took another sip from his second cup of herbal tea, feeling the warm liquid working out the last groggy sensation from his body and mind. Placing the cup down beside him, breathed in deeply, he felt relieved; he felt like his old self, that whatever had affected him was gone.
He frowned, for this small conundrum truly bothered him. He knew last night he drank no sleeping herbs since they were to depart at the break of dawn - even now, his body senses knew it was well past dawn. It was a mere miracle by fate that he manage to pull himself half awake, either wise he would still be slumbering like the dead like his brother Baiyne (middle brother). He looked on either side of the fire to where his two brothers still laid fast asleep, unaware of his bizarre incident. He wondered if they too were affected by ... whatever had affected him.

Feeling well enough, Rhystal remained seated; as he gaze around their small camp, needing to know their new situation. He noticed there was an unnatural dense black mist lingering on the boundaries of their camp area, estimating the area to be fifteen feet by fifteen feet in a circle.
Rhystal went to investigate the vapour, moving to his right, working on his senses - from his youth; he knew his body was attuned with the weather, seasons and other useful elements, giving him a good advantage of nature in life. Standing before the mist, by his impression from nature beyond this dense mist, he reckons one hour has passed - although, he knew the mist somehow was clouding his senses and judgement. Nonetheless, he was a patient man, he would wait till the other part of him clear's.

By the light from the camp's fire, he studied its cloudy surface, finding no sign of morning's light beyond its solidity. He brought forth his right hand, palm forward, inches before the mist. In a single second, he felt pure iciness radiating from its surface. He pulled his hand away and right into his jacket pocket, as his mind race to divert him from thinking Baiyne nonsense of things that is or could be cursed.
He swiftly moved to stand on the half-way mark between the fire and the mist. Next, he proceeded to do another test, as he moved in a single line, going around the camp, hands out on either side, testing the air, trying to decipher what type of predicament has befallen them.

A minute later, Rhystal returned to his seat before the flames, eager to warm up his cold right hand. The second he sat down, his cold hand began to crap fiercely. Remaining claim, he did the most logical thing to do: he held his right hand before the fire, trying to warm it up faster. He didnt anticipate the outcome when he felt the frigidness intensify in his hand. With haste, he added another three logs to the flames. What a surprise he received when a heated sensation ignited inside him, surging through his body, causing him move away from the fire place.

His eyes caught sight of his two brother's jumping out from their sleeping bedding. He called out to them to join him. They stood together at the half-way mark, watching in disbelief as the flames change colour, burning four feet high, dancing wildly with a flare of gold and deep sapphire hue, showing no sign of its predecessor. The new flames generate gusts of hot air, causing them to take a few steps back into the cooler area of the camp - being two feet from the dense mist. By the amount of heat, they knew the temperature was increasing three folds, how long they had they couldn't tell.

On his own agenda, Baiyne inquired by Rhystal about: his time awake, how many logs in the fire and the aberrant looking mist - as his eyes darted from his brother, to the fire and then the mist. To which his brother simply replied: one hour has passed; another three logs just mere seconds ago.
Rhystal (then) informed them what he felt before the mist, around their camp, and then he asked them if they are willing to do the same tests by the mist.

Unaware of an animal entering into the camp area, where the loyal furry friend stopped three feet from the mist and barked twice once his master's older brother had finish talking.
They now focused their attention on the dog, watching the animal perform the signal for someone in need of help: the dog laid on his right side, followed by a whining sound, with his left paw moving in the air three times before covering his eyes. Soon after, Myshiunn rose, he barked three times at them before disappearing (back) into the mist.

By the light from the roaring fire, they were astounded, that by the mere presence of Kerail's four legged companion had an effect on the mist, as the vapour parted way, forming into a tunnel. They didnt exchange looks or words with each other, for they didn't need any coaxing as they moved in the (remaining) cool part of the camp, moving towards their freedom.
It was a blind leap of faith, they entered the tunnel, noticing day light at the end. As they walked the length of the tunnel - by fifteen feet - Rhystal sense's perked, where it swiftly evaluate time; where he then informed his two brother's that three hour's has passed them by, and what their next course of action would be - as long as they were away from (the) camp.
The three brother's did not stop but persisted in following Myshiunn, they did not look back but forwards, passing through the large gap in the thick Lhouwend bushes and onwards, being observant and conversing along the way, being alert for any other abnormal entities on their journey.