The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 17

Darryl cautiously took the lead into the tunnel, and Alex followed, each of them holding the reins of a permion as they descended into the tunnel. The ground beneath them sloped downwards and gently curved left in a long arc. The blue light kept shining along the walls in intricate vine patterns, providing adequate light for them to see.

"What is this place?" Darryl asked her after a while as he stopped to examine the light. It seemed to drift in the air against the walls.

"I have no idea." She answered truthfully, passing by him

Somewhere along the tunnels, they came upon a large opening on the right. Alex stopped dead in her tracks, and Darryl nearly bumped into the stallion's rump. She peeked into the cavernous area. It was dark, and she could dimly see shapes further in. The moment she stepped into the cavern, torches lit up along the walls and bathed the area in light. Alex and Darryl both leapt back in fright.

It was a vast dome-shaped cavern with an impossibly high ceiling. A large, round, stone table stood in the centre, surrounded by ornately carved wooden chairs. In the middle of the table was a large metal bowl. There was a lit fireplace to the left, and across from her was an enormous carved wooden door that stretched high up, nearly to the ceiling, and there were a few small openings scattered along the walls.

Leaving the steeds at the entrance, Alex walked along the wall and gazed at the carvings. They depicted many different creatures, and she noticed that they told a story. She looked into the first room that they came across, and it lit up to reveal its contents. It held an assortment of weapons and armour.

She was drawn to an engraved chest. Inside was an armour set and a magnificent sword with an engraved and bejewelled hilt. The blade was also engraved with strange symbols. It felt feather-light and comfortable in her grip.

Beside her, Darryl had also picked up a sword and examined it. "I wonder who made this place. It must have taken years to carve it out like this." He mused.

"Or just weeks." She said, gazing at the workmanship of the place. "I once read that long ago, when the sorcerers were many, they had enchanted castles and palaces of the kings of old to react to life this way. The rooms in the castle in Eldara also light up this way when someone steps into the room." She said as she examined the chamber more closely. "From the exquisite detail and perfection of this cavern, it looks like this entire place was created with magic."

"Well, it has clearly been abandoned for hundreds of years," Darryl answered after wiping his hand over a layer of dust on one of the chests.

The two Permions nickered softly from the doorway. Alex realised that they did not want to be here but rather wanted to return to Erisdar. She decided to take the sword and she strapped the hilt to her waist. Darryl did the same, though he eyed Alex wearily with distrust. He knew she hated him, and it unnerved him that she now carried such a lethal weapon, knowing the training she had.

They unsaddled the horses and sent them back up to where they belonged, placing the saddles on empty stands in the cavern alongside many other strange saddles.

Alex continued to look around. Another one of the rooms branching off the cavern revealed another cavern that opened up to a balcony flanked on either side by winding staircases. Alex looked over the rail to see several long tables surrounded by shelves and shelves of books and scrolls.

She itched to go down and inspect them, to discover the secrets of this place. A rumble behind her drew her attention to Darryl approaching. It was his stomach growling. Alex could see he was weary, and his leg pained him.

"We should probably get going," she said.

Darryl looked at her and the corner of his lips turned up slightly, "You don't look like you want to leave. You look like you want to get lost in here," he said, gesturing to the books.