The Silver Crown

Chapter 6

Caleb

Kylee finds me walking through the gardens. She seems lost in thought and doesn't say anything as we leave the manor grounds and start walking down the hill to the tavern. I accept her silence, having my own matters to think about. As we approach the building, she suddenly stops short, a hard expression on her face.

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Do you know your element?" she asks shortly.

The question catches me by surprise. "Yes." I say dumbly. The Wise One must have explained Elementalism to her. "Why are you asking?"

"The Wise One told me that I'm Air element. I don't know if I have a second one yet."

I nod.

"He also told me that Rolcarnagur is Fire-stone. I was wondering what you are."

I'm quiet for a moment, thinking over my response. "I understand that this is new to you, but let me warn you. Don't go around asking people their elements. It's extremely personal and asking very rude. If a person is willing to tell you, that's one thing, but don't ask people. I know my elements, and how to control them. That's all you need to know." I turn and proceed quickly down the street.

I hear Kylee's hurried footsteps as she attempts to keep up with me. "The Wise One also told me that there's such a thing as an Elementalist..." she says.

"Then he would have also told you that they are so rare they are virtually non-existent." I snap irritatedly. "There have been two Elementalists in all of history and some people even say that they are more legend than fact. The first is known only as The First Elementalist. He was integral in the creation of the Artifacts. The second is referred to as The Guardian. He is said to wander Lindolosun and occasionally, he will choose an innocent person who he knows is about to face a life-and-death situation and he protects that person from all harm." As I say this we arrive at the tavern.

"So he's still alive? There's an Elementalist alive today?" she asks eagerly.

"If he even exists." I answer and step inside.

"But what if..." Kylee begins, but I walk away before she asks.

Kylee

After lunch, Tyron walks us to the edge of town. We each are given a large knapsack full of food, water, and travel supplies. Tyron tells us that we will be heading north across the Twisted Fingers mountain range and then we will turn west over the Jagged Claws mountains to Nilava. He and Caleb explain that there are four mountain ranges dividing Lindolosun into quarters: The Twisted Fingers, the Jagged Claws, the Stone Fists, and the Serpent's Teeth. They point where they meet is considered the center of Lindolosun and is a very volcanic region.

"The Twisted Fingers aren't as treacherous as the other mountains," Tyron tells me. "They're pretty bare and not much lives there; however, all the mountains are specifically named. The Twisted Fingers are called such because they move. The passes are mazes and they never stay the same for long. There's no telling how long you'll be in there, but it shouldn't be bad. Just remember you're on a tight schedule. I'll arrange for a helper to be waiting for you in Cilac, it's a town on the far side of the Fingers." He shakes Caleb's hand and hands him a small cloth bag. "Something to look at on your trip." He murmurs softly.

"Thank you so much," I say, giving Tyron a quick hug. I've come to really like this small giant. "I can't thank you enough for how much you've helped us."

"Aw, forget it." He swats his hand at me lightly. "It's nothing. I enjoy helping my friends. Just try not to get yourself killed."

I give him a quick smile and Caleb and I turn and start walking down the road. "Hey Caleb," I ask. "Why don't we use the speedwheeler?"

He sighs. "I can't use it for everything. It's a tiring device to use. Besides, it wouldn't work on a rough dirt road like this and it definitely won't work on the mountain trails."

"Oh, okay." I say. I turn and look back at Tyron again, waving softly.

"Oh, Kylee!" He calls. "I almost forgot. You're dirk: The blade is invisible to Orcish creatures. Good luck!"

"Thank you!" I call back. I feel a smile break out across my face. It'll be very helpful to have a weapon that the enemy can't block. The sun is shining, the city of Andrus is standing firm behind me, and Caleb has already agreed to teach me some hand-to-hand combat on the road. I'm going on a trip to check on a crown and see if I can find a princess. I feel like I should be worried, but the prospects actually seem pretty bright. This is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me. I look at Caleb, walking stoically alongside me. "So what's next?" I ask.

He responds without turning to look at me. "We should be able to reach the Twisted Fingers by nightfall tonight. Tomorrow, we'll try the pass."

He presses forward and I hustle to keep up.