Belford's Heart

Chapter 23: Thelos

In every age, the land of Thelos was known to be one for all to stay far and away from. The writings of its creator of the same name spoke of a tyrant whose purpose was to usurp his brothers and sisters and claim an unmade throne. This throne was to be that of the one true creator of the world, and it was the catalyst for the conflict leading to the dawn of a new age of man. The denial of every creator's contribution to the world was also a denial of Thelos' duty of rebirth, and the shadowed land he created was an obvious manifestation.

The land of Thelos was not what Belford had expected. The clouds flying overhead were fuller as they rode, and the landscape became harsh, rocky hills scattered with naturally formed tunnels that weaved around one another. It took a few hours before they crossed into what appears to be a strange forest from the rift in Ghaulton. They were not trees, nor were they any normal living thing he had ever seen. They were smooth to the touch, standing fifteen to twenty feet from their bases. They range from a crystalline black to an all-too-familiar violet that held swirling tendrils within them. Belford noted the fungus growing plentifully along their lengths, and the groupings of them surrounding the ground apart from the path they walked.

The caravan had been silent apart before them. Colonel Grant turned every few minutes to assure that they were still following, but they were not given any other orders. Belford would have normally been far more anxious were it not for the clouding thoughts of he and Evelyn's walk that led to their departure. He could still imagine the warmth of her on his lips. How she tasted sweet like a lowland glassblossom petal, how her hair flowed like silk over his hands, and how his heart nearly ended their journey for them bursting within his chest. He was more than relieved to no longer hide his longing glances. As they rode further into the cloud-covered land, he would hold his eyes on her until she turned to meet them. Each time they would share a smile and she would turn away to blush. It was the most wonderful feeling he had ever felt; somehow new each time.

Philip furiously noted all he could see as they continued. He was sure to include estimations of the frequency for new paths to emerge and lead to new cave structures. He noted each variation of the tall crystals that thinned and thickened around them like a forest. The lightest crystal matching that of Evelyn's light, and the darkest appearing as near total black if not for the slight translucence that revealed the tendrils from within through torchlight or the light of the moons that made its way through the thick cloud that now stood totally above them. Philip noted that the phase of the moons would likely be unknown to them as they made their way further inland, and that he would need to consult Belford and his map to measure just how far into the land of Thelos the traditional way of reading would become useless to them.

The cart at the front of the caravan came to a halt, and all others followed until they were stopped at the back. There was an open clearing to the left between surrounding crystals. It was large enough to build camp for all in the caravan, and Belford was called upon by Grant to aid the workers. He reluctantly joined them, dismounting Thunderfoot and speaking quickly with Philip about the cloud covering the light of the moons. They would soon be parting, which may allow for a quick reading as they exited the horizon, but they would just need to count the days since their last full reading. Following this camp, they would have twenty-eight days before they were full again.

He stopped to meet Evelyn as he moved to help raise the first camp of the expedition. Again, as they met eyes, her cheeks reddened quickly and her smile was enough to bring sunlight to the land of shadow that surrounded them. He stepped close, turning to see Grant watching him as he lingered. He bowed his head, smiling widely as he turned to join the workers.

The camp was ready within an hour. Haradin's crew was highly efficient, and with the help of Belford to carry three men's worth of materials in each trip they had something of a small village built in real time. Eight tents stood before a ninth at the very back of the clearing. It was taller and made of lighter fabric, obviously that of Duke Haradin's dwelling for their travels. The night of traveling had exhausted many in the caravan, Belford included. He still found it odd to be ready for sleep just as the light of the sun had begun forcing its way through the dense clouds above them.