The Crystal Cage

Chapter 4

Noah had known he had arrived when the small, leafless trees faded into old, thick brushes of untouched nature. Of course this was where Ethycan lived- a place with no trace of man, no trace of anything but the earthy forest. By the time the trees cleared and Noah could spot the house, the sun was beginning to disappear beyond the horizon; the dying embers of light flickering away as night dawned. Quickly, Noah unsaddled and grabbed his packs while tightening the rope around an ancient tree. He turned to face Betsy. "I'll be back in a bit."

Betsy nickered softly in response. Noah gave her pricked ears a quick rub and hiked to the small house in front of him. Small was really quite an understatement. The base of the house was tiny—but then, the red-brick spiraled upward, splitting into two small towers; one being held up by supports built into the house and the other by stone pillars keeping the entire thing from collapsing.

"Noah? Noah Girrith?" A surprised voice said as the wooden door slowly creaked open, washing the grass with a pale light.

Noah blinked, stopping in his tracks. He looked up at the Rahumn- who stared at him from the steps, shocked, his very own golden blade in hand. He had hardly changed since the last time Noah saw him— his robes a dark red and purple that ran down to the floor and his long, grey beard. Those wise sea-green eyes peered at Noah, astonished.

Noah was startled himself. After regaining his composure and the ability to speak, he doubtfully asked, "You remember me?"

Ethycan nodded, his floppy hat drooping over his head. "I remember you had volunteered to be in the front lines," He paused. "I couldn't tell if you were brave or just plain mad."

Noah chuckled. "Probably a little bit of both, I think."

Ethycan smiled. "Most assuredly," He motioned for Noah to come closer, "Please, come in."

Noah had never seen anything like it. Just like the exterior, the interior arched upward, a staircase that led the way to a vast number of doors circling all the way up to the top tower. The first floor had its own specialties- from the ghostly-white marble floors to the wooden shelves filled with sparkling relics encased in glass. They ranged from average to extraordinary- one near the door held a plain silver bracelet, but another held a twinkling crown made of pure gold. What either cost—Noah didn't know. He didn't really care. He no longer needed money.

Ethycan placed his blade down on a small wooden table and turned to face Noah. "Sorry about that," Ethycan apologized, "I don't get many visitors around these parts."

Noah shrugged. "It's fine. Probably would have done the same thing if I were you."

"I'm sure," Ethycan said as he ascended up the wooden staircase, "Come- I have a guest room where you can stay."

"Oh- it's alright, I don't plan on—" Noah started before Ethycan cut him off.

"You plan on riding back in the dead of night?" he asked with a sardonic smirk.

Letting loose a sigh, Noah glanced back towards the wooden door, pondering his options. "If you'll have me."

"Get up here before I change my mind- my patience doesn't last long," Ethycan ordered before disappearing behind a door. Noah blinked and made up his mind. He bounded up the narrow steps, feeling them creak and groan beneath his thudding weight.