The Prophecy

7th Movement: The undergrounds of Kahr-O-Tirr

Blue Caves Mountains

10 Lïon 1307 - After-Zen

The night had fallen too quickly. There was nothing usual about it: it was not limpid nor sparkling as usual but opaque and foggy. Despite the absence of the moon, the darkness was not complete, as if the fog of the sky reflected the pale glow of an invisible star.

The little troop was advancing slowly, worn by the long and tiring march. And, finally, the silhouette of the Mounts, which had guided them all afternoon, offered itself to them, even more imposing. Half Moon raised her head. High, high in the sky dominated the purplish peaks of the Mounts that stood out from the veiled sky. She looked for a path that could take them to the heart of this strange mountain and to the fabulous gate.

_ So? Do you see it? Fenril asked impatiently.

Half Moon shook her head in negation. Flavie walked forward in the gorge.

_ Wow, look how big this is! Cling! Firefly said in amazement.

"Cling, Cling, Cling, Cling" echoed back.

Firefly took refuge in her usual hiding place. Then she took out an ear, then an eye. Flavie laughed with her special laugh, Fenril stared at her with a reproving look but his little smile belied his rigid severity. Half Moon was smiling, when suddenly her expression froze and her face lit up. Her index finger pointed in the direction of a rock face, a little above them.

_ There! It looks like an entrance. I think it is a door...

_ ... which opens onto a tunnel, continued Fenril.

They rushed towards the indicated direction, their tiredness miraculously gone, hope giving them unsuspected new strength. Alas, all this would not be enough in the face of the stone wall.

_ We'll have to climb up, said Half Moon, realistic, as she dismounted from her horse.

After rummaging in the bags tied to the saddle, she got a long sturdy rope out, that she wrapped around her waist before turning towards the steep slope, with the clear intention to climb.

_ Wait... What do you think are you doing, exactly? Gasped Flavie, looking sharply at Half Moon.

_ well, eh, I thought it was obvious... I'm about to climb that wall to find the way through the mountains...

_ Now? Half Moon, it's almost night... It's hard enough to climb the Blue Mountains by day, but at night? It would be folly! Let's camp here for the night, and start the climb early tomorrow...

Half Moon looked at Flavie, recognizing she was right, of course. She was somewhat disappointed, feeling so close to find the secret passage the dragon had told her about, and thus, closer to the Walk of Prophecies, the end of their journey. But the perspective of risking being hurt because of the dangerousness of the climb without light, even if her eyes could see in the dark rather well, made her reconsider her option. In the end, they all did as Flavie had advised and settled in a nook of the road for the night. The camp was quickly and roughly set up, a little firepit lit. By the end of their dinner, the stars had managed to break the weird fog, and the big clouds dissipated letting them enjoy a beautiful night. Half Moon was the first to fall asleep, more exhausted than she had thought, the wolf quickly followed her lead, and Flavie was soon snoring as well. Only Firefly remained, attentive to the silent night life around them.

Awake by the first ray of sun, the little troop quickly gobbled their breakfasts, packed up the camp, and killed the fire; Half Moon looking up at the path she had noticed the day prior, her hands resting on her hips. Fenril and Half Moon were supposed to act as scouts, checking and securing the way for Flavie, as they were unsure if the mare would be able to walk up easily, or at least, without breaking her legs. Fenril went ahead, and Half Moon, the rope now around her waist, ready to use it if needed, followed after him.