The Prophecy of Moonlight

Chapter 7

Lucius was riding the same horse he had ridden before. In front of him, Al was riding alongside a man named Logan, who specialized in healing. Behind him rode Beatrix and a woman named Chloe. She was a quiet individual and usually said little but was an excellent enchantress. The group had packed their equipment and left the tree at the crack of dawn. Lucius was overjoyed that Al and Beatrix were joining them, and he had taken an instant liking to Logan and Chloe as well. Logan was really considerate and kind, always optimistic. Chloe was more reserved, but she had a tender attitude and Lucius found her presence relaxing. They had traveled a day already and the scenery had not changed much. There were the woods, then an open grassland. Now, they were traveling alongside a river sparkling as the sun reflected against it.

"Well, I think we should eat right now. Night's beginning to fall and there's just enough light to gather firewood. If we stop now, we'll still be able to reach the caves by tomorrow afternoon," said Al.

No one objected. They were hungry, having eaten only a little in order to save the food for the rest of the journey. They each divided up the jobs and soon had tents set up and a fire going, roasting the game that Al had caught.

They ate and listened to Al and Beatrix bicker. But, Lucius didn't mind the banter; it gave him a happy feeling and made the quest seem like a pleasant travel. After eating, they sat for a while as Chloe told legends about creatures, heroes, and long-gone kingdoms. Lucius eventually climbed into the tent with Al and Logan and fell asleep, dreaming of the stories.

In the morning, they broke camp and set out once again. They ate again at noon and then, when the sun was high and beating on them, they stood at the bottom of a sloping cliff.

Beatrix examined the map and, pointing over the top of the cliff, said, "At the top, there's a steep trail leading down. We'll find an entrance to the Wrololk Caverns on the other side."

Al whispered to the horses, telling them that they should go find some place for rest but to stay in the area for their return. Then, their energy revived with the news that their destination was close, the group climbed and reached the top of the cliff. The wind blew through their hair, ruffling their clothes. Lucius found the view beautiful. The sun lit the valley below in which a river ran through and small creatures flitted about. Lucius went back to the rest of the group, who were about to take the steep trail.

"We'll have to be careful. It'll be difficult to keep our footing," said Logan.

The group started down carefully and slowly. Al went first, then Chloe, followed by Lucius, Logan, and Beatrix. With the packs that they carried, the descent was made more difficult and precarious. Once or twice, Lucius almost lost his footing, sending small pebbles down, but Logan had grabbed and steadied him in time. Eventually, they had reached the bottom of the trail and stood on the valley.

Beatrix looked at the map again and said, "The Wrololk Caverns are...." Her voice trailed off and she looked from the map to the river and back to the map again. Frowning, she muttered, "That's weird."

"What is?" asked Lucius. He was afraid that she'd say they were in the wrong place.

"On the map, it says the entrance to the cave should be there."Beatrix pointed to the river.

"Let me see," said Lucius and, looking at the map, found that she was right.

"No. The entrance is most likely in the river," said Chloe, quietly.

"I think you're right," said Beatrix, rolling the map back up. They walked to the river's bed and gazed into the calm water, but the water was an unnatural blue, hiding its depths.