Otherworld

Part 28

The small group nine stared up at the snow capped mountain that blocked their path. There was no way around it and dead center a grotto that was big enough three semis pulling extra wide loads could fit through the entrance with plenty of room to spare. Sunlight streamed into the cave, but no one could see the back of the cave. Not even Loken's sharp eyes could pierce through the darkness.

Nakira peered around Kiena's shoulder. Her yellow eyes gazed at the cave with apprehension.

"I do not like the look of that cave."

Kiena touched her hand soothingly. "Neither do I, but I believe that we have found that which we seek."

Bridged peered into the cave. Arnold's hand on her shoulder anchored her and the tips of her fingers touched his hand in a reassuring gesture. Arnold gently squeezed her shoulder.

"I think Kiena is right." Bridged gave Nakira a comforting smile. "There is no way we can get over or around this mountain. I think we've reached the edge of the sun. The sunlight is weaker here and not as warm." Bridged turned to look at Arnold. "It reminds me of the sun back home in the far north where it shines for only an hour at a time."

Arnold grunted and rubbed at his beard. "It does. All we can do is travel into the cave and see what we find."

Naknaki took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Let's do this while we still have light."

Lenki, Sunkie, Moani, and Loken each took some sort of bowl filled with a dark tarry substance from the bags that they had been carrying slung over their shoulders ever since they'd left home. They mixed two types of plants together and dropped them into the substance in the bowl. Bridged jumped as the essence in the bowls caught fire and blazed brightly.

"That's a neat trick."

Lenki smiled at Bridged's enthusiasm. "Do you not have anything like this on your world?"

Bridged shoot her head. "Not with plants we don't. We have some substances that will explode if you drop it in water, but that would be very handy back home."

Sunkie took the lead in the quiet way that he always moved. Naknaki followed him. Everyone else fell in line behind them with Nakira following her brother with Kiena a step behind her. Loken followed Kiena with Lenki right behind him. Bridged and Arnold were after Lenki while Moani brought up the rear.

Once they were a few feet into the caves, the sunlight petered out. The lights that Sunkie, Loken, Lenki, and Moani carried did little to hold back the darkness. Bridged's hand quested behind her till her fingertips brushed against Arnold's abdomen. Arnold captured Bridged's hand in a strong grip and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.

Since they were in a cave now, time meant nothing. The cave continued forever on with no end in sight. There were no tunnels except their own so they knew that they were on the right path. The air was a little stale, but filled with moisture. Light glinted off the walls due to the moisture that was present on the surface of the walls.

Hours passed before Naknaki called a halt. "We need to rest. None of us know what's ahead of us. I'd feel more confident making a sacrifice knowing that my mind and body is well rested. Leave the lights burning. I don't want something to sneak up on us while we are asleep."

Sunkie moved away from everyone else and sat with his back facing them. Lenki did the same thing so that someone was on guard watching both ends of the tunnel.

Bridged stretched out on the hard cavern floor knowing that she wasn't going to rest well. She never did on hard ground. Arnold curled his body around hers and kissed her hair. Bridged laced her fingers with the hand Arnold had across her stomach. She watched the others settle down till her eyes grew heavy and she reluctantly closed them. Sleep claimed Bridged before she could even take two breaths.