by Jann Rowland
It was cold-hearted but true. Though Skye did not wish to lose his compassion for others, he knew the enemy would not give him, or any of his crew, quarter. It was literally kill or be killed.
“Skye, what happened?” Tierra’s voice sounded over the link.
“A group of Groundbreathers ambushed us,” Skye responded.
“Are you injured?”
“One of the Sentinels hurt her leg, but I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Skye could tell that Tierra was not convinced, but she did not say anything further, seeming to realize that he was trying to concentrate on his surroundings.
Skye made several trips that day into the air to scout the surrounding area as they traveled, but he did not see any evidence of pursuit or any signs of other Groundbreathers waiting for them. When his party finally made camp that night, it was late and full dark. They made no fire. They were approaching too close to their goal.
This pattern continued for days. Skye often kept to the air, scouting their trail and attempting to steer them clear of impediments while staying close to cover in an effort to remain undetected. There were a number of patrols in the area, but the party, through Skye’s guidance, never strayed close to any of them. A few times, Skye and the rest of the party were required to wait for a few hours, allowing Groundbreathers to clear an area they needed to cross, but for the most part, they were able to avoid coming close to their enemies.
“Will the Groundbreathers be able to track our path as you are tracking Tierra?” Skye asked after they had stopped one night.
“If they have a decent tracker among them, they can,” Jasper replied. “Some of the signs of our passage will be mingled with those of the Groundbreathers we are following, but a skilled tracker might be able to pick out differences, not only in how many travelers there are, but also in how old the signs are and maybe even by looking at the pegasus’s tracks, which are different from a horse’s.”
“I doubt it matters at this point,” Sequoia said. “They must know we are coming.”
“Undoubtedly, my queen,” Jasper said. “But if we keep them guessing as to when we will arrive, the advantage returns to us. They will grow more complacent the longer our arrival is delayed.”
Skye nodded. “Springing a trap and reversing it on those who set it in the first place.”
“Exactly,” said Jasper. “This is a difficult task before us. Those who live underground have all the advantages. We must make use of whatever advantages we possess.”
As Skye nodded in acknowledgment and moved away, he considered meditation, only to discard the idea. He did not think he could manage to successfully meditate until he had Tierra back. There was no point in even trying anymore.
It was only a day or two after that night when they found what they were looking for. Skye was scouting from above on Stardust yet again when he came to the edge of the tree-line in the small forest in which they were traveling. He thought to return to camp to inform his companions when he saw a cliff-face. Tierra had told him to look out for such a thing, and while it might not have been the one she had referenced, he had a feeling this was it. He directed Stardust to fly about for a few moments, checking for any signs of Groundbreather patrols. When he found nothing, he turned the pegasus around and headed back toward his companions.
“I think we’ve arrived,” he said as soon as his steed’s hooves touched the ground. “There is a small escarpment not far ahead of us, and I saw a cliff-face there. I was too far away from the ground to see if there are tracks leading up to it, but it seems the most likely place based on what Tierra has said.”
“How far ahead of us?” Jasper asked.
“A couple of miles,” Skye responded with a shrug. “These trees thin and vanish altogether not far from the cliff.”
“The rest of you should stay here while I check it out.”
“I don’t think you should go alone,” Skye said. “You should have a little backup at least.”
“Backup will mess up any possible tracks further,” Jasper said. “I know how to be quiet. And I will not be long. It would be better if you stayed here.”
Rather than point out that he could circle overhead on Stardust, Skye let the matter go. “All right,” he said. “But if you take too long, we’re coming to check on you.”
The Groundbreather smirked. “I find your concern for my safety to be touching.”
“Oh, I don’t care about your safety. It would just be inconvenient for me if you met an untimely end. Too messy, you know, and it’d cause a bit of a delay.”
Before Jasper could respond, Sequoia stepped in. “Oh, just go, Jasper. I have heard enough of this.” But though she feigned irritation, Skye thought he detected amusement in her eyes.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the man said with a bow. Then he turned and left them to tend to his task.
Skye looked at Sequoia. “You couldn’t let me have a bit of fun?”
“If that is a Skychild’s idea of fun, then I am especially glad I was born a Groundbreather.”
“It’s much more interesting than pushing a bunch of rocks around all day.”
Sequoia turned away from him, ignoring his goading.
Smiling to himself, Skye took the opportunity to tend to Stardust, who began to nibble at Skye’s hair affectionately.
“Stop that,” Skye said, pushing the pegasus away with a chuckle.
“You two have really taken to each other,” a voice said from behind Skye.
Skye turned to look at Gusty, who favored him with a smile. Stardust gave a gentle nudge, calling for further attention. “I am over here,” the pegasus said pointedly.
“We have,” Skye said to Gusty, reaching out to stroke his mount’s neck. “I suppose even Mista can have a good idea from time to time.”
“Skye, you shouldn’t speak of her like that,” Gusty said, a tinge of irritation in his voice.
Though Skye looked at the man, wondering at the changes that had come over him, he had no desire to belabor the issue, even though Gusty’s words were said in a tone few would take with their king. “You’re right. It’s force of habit, I suppose, given my history with her. But she was never my enemy—she was just a convenient tool to be used by her uncle.”
Gusty nodded and looked away, likely taking a moment to regain his composure. Then he said, “I’m worried about what is ahead. In spite of our resolve, facing an entire city full of Groundbreathers will be no easy feat for us.”
“They won’t know how to handle Skychildren in their midst,” Skye said. “Besides, I’ve got a weapon they don’t know about.” He glanced at Strix, who stared back at him.
“Do you he’ll fit in those tunnels when he’s, you know, umm . . . bigger?” Gusty asked, trying to sound vague.
“I guess we’ll find out. But one way or another, we’re going to get Tierra back.”
“Your Majesty?” a male voice called.
Turning, Skye said, “Yes, Griffin?”
“Are we really going to be traveling underground?” the man asked timidly. “Can’t the Groundbreathers bring down the ceilings on us?”
“I doubt they’d be that foolish. After all, it could cause structural problems for the whole tunnel system if they were to weaken it like that.” But though Skye feigned confidence, he was actually nervous about the whole matter himself. The thought of tunnels and caverns and enclosed spaces underground was almost enough to make him physically ill. Only thoughts of Tierra helped him keep those feelings at bay. Griffin and Vesper would not feel the same way, and any anxiety would be understandable.
Griffin wrung his hands. “It may be as you say, Your Majesty, but what if they hate Skychildren enough that they would be willing to sacrifice themselves? You are the king—”
“Yes,” Skye said gently, “I am the king. And I will find some way to get us through this.”
“Of course,” Griffin said with a weak smile. And then he took his leave and hurried over to help Vesper tend to
her still ailing leg.
Skye stared after him with a frown, and Gusty murmured, “He’s shaken up by what happened with Nimbus, you know. I don’t think there’s any reason to be concerned about him.”
“Yeah,” Skye said. “I just need everyone to be at their best right now.”
“We’ll make this happen. Don’t you worry.”
When Jasper returned to the group, Skye gave him an expectant look. “Well?”
“I think that is the place we were searching for. The area in front of the cliff is suspiciously worn, and there are a number of tracks. If we bring our horses over there, though, it is going to be fairly obvious.”
“I’ve been considering the matter,” Skye said, “and I think it’d be best to leave the horses here. I don’t know how narrow those tunnels get, and sneaking around will be next to impossible if we’re riding horses.”
“Are you going to leave someone here with the horses?” Sequoia asked.
“I think Vesper’s the obvious choice. Due to her wounded leg, she will not be able to travel with any kind of speed. Furthermore, if something happens to spook the horses, she might actually be able to calm them down.”
Sequoia protested, “We shall need those horses to escape—”
“If something happens that makes Vesper lose the horses,” Skye said, “we can always lift you and Jasper and Tierra in the air to aid in an escape. And Stone, of course. We were forced to stick to the ground on the way here so that we could watch the trail. Once we have Tierra, that won’t be an issue.”
Sequoia grimaced. “I suppose if it comes down to it, we can do that.”
Skye looked over at Stardust. “My pegasus mount is intelligent enough to flee on his own. We’ll be able to find each other again, so I’m not worried about him.”
“Very well,” Sequoia said.
Skye then moved to where the pegasus stood watching them.
“Stardust, we will be going underground now, and I’m afraid you will not be able to follow.”
The pegasus looked at him. “You must do this to find your mate?”
“Yes,” said Skye. “She is being held underground. While we are gone, you will need to stay with Vesper and the horses.”
“The female who prefers the company of the four-footed ones?”
Skye grinned at that description and nodded. “Yes.”
“Very well. I will assist her by scouting the area, and should any of the ground-bound come near, I will alert her.”
Nodding, Skye replied, “I shouldn’t be more than a few days. When I return, we will travel together again.”
Agreeing with a bobbing of his head, Stardust lowered his head to begin grazing again. Skye looked at him with some affection; the pegasus was loyal and intelligent, but sometimes his manner suggested that he thought he was the Skychild and Skye the companion.
Though Vesper appeared to be relieved not to have to go underground, it was clear that she was not so sanguine about the prospect of staying behind and tending to the horses on her own. However, she quickly understood why she could not go, and her questions were of the “what if” variety.
“I am not certain we’ll actually need the horses once we come back out,” Skye said. “It is entirely possible we’ll have the entire underground city on our heels when we exit those tunnels, and escape on horseback might be difficult.”
“Then why should we bother to guard them?”
“So they don’t announce our presence to any Groundbreather that comes along,” Skye said. He directed a pointed look at the woman, and she subsided her protests. “Keep them hidden and as quiet as you can, and guard them carefully. If you are discovered, take to the skies. Stardust is smart enough to stay nearby and avoid capture, but you should at least try to stay in contact with him. He will also scout for you and report his findings.”
Nodding slowly, Vesper said, “I hope you’ll forgive me if I sleep in a tree, Your Majesty. I doubt I could sleep on the ground, knowing that a Groundbreather might come upon me at any time.”
Skye nodded but did not respond. It was a thankless job he was asking her to do, but she would only slow them down in the caves, and it would be far more difficult for her to keep up than it would be for her to stay with the horses.
The party soon found a small clearing within a large strand of trees and left Vesper there to set up camp and tend to the horses. Skye saw to Stardust himself.
“If danger approaches, remember that you need to fly up into the sky, but stay close by,” he said.
“I will,” the pegasus said, nickering and stamping his hooves. Skye patted Stardust affectionately on the snout and moved away. He would be glad when this was all over.
Soon, the face of the cliff loomed, massive and tall before them. Silent and imposing, it stood as a symbol of what was to come. Despite how much Skye wished to hold Tierra in his arms again, he could not relish the thought of traipsing through miles of tunnels, knowing the roof might collapse on his head at any moment.
“Tierra, we’re at the cliff-face.”
Relief flooded through their connection. “I thought you would never come.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world. Now, where is this opening?”
“In the cliff-face itself. It is covered by a thin layer of soil that the Groundbreathers raise to hide it. My mother should be able to find it easily.”
Skye relayed what Tierra had told him.
Jasper pointed. “The tracks end here. I believe this is what we have been looking for.”
Not waiting for him to say anything further, Sequoia stepped forward and raised her hands. The seemingly solid cliff-face trembled and collapsed into dust, leaving behind the gaping maw of the tunnel entrance.
“This is it,” Sequoia said, entirely unnecessarily.
“Then let’s get to it,” Skye said, his gruff tone speaking to his trepidation. A glance around revealed his Skychild companions were not any better off.
The tunnel was as bad as Skye had expected, and it was not long before he began to feel that the walls were pressing in from all sides. An inspection of the tunnel floor indicated that it was dry, with no hint of moisture. Yet the cave had a dank feel to it, like some Groundbreather had washed everything he had and left it out to dry.
Near the opening, they found a small cave that seemed to serve as a storage location, and there they found all kinds of stores, including dried food rations, fodder for horses, and many other things besides. Perhaps most importantly, however, they found a stack of torches—long wooden stakes with oddly shaped crystals at the end. At first, Skye did not know what they were.
“It might just be me, but wouldn’t some sort of fabric or wood burn better?” Skye asked, eyeing the stakes skeptically. Strix, who was seated on a protective pad on Skye’s shoulder, leaned forward curiously.
Jasper strode up, looking at the pile. “Yes, but they would burn out before long, so you would need to carry a pile of them on your back so that you would not run out if you wanted to go long distances.”
The Groundbreather stooped down and hefted one of the torches, and after he concentrated on it for a moment, the crystal began to glow with a cold blue light. “I think this will work much better.”
Skye looked at it with surprise. “I didn’t know your people could make crystals glow.”
Jasper shrugged. “I do not think we have much cause for such things above the ground. This is not a regular crystal. I have not seen its like before. But its purpose seems logical.”
It turned out the Skychild powers were not of the sort required to light the torches and keep them lit, so they soon departed, Sequoia and Jasper each carrying a torch aloft to light their way. They had also stowed some in their packs, not knowing if the torches had a limited lifespan.
“We’re on our way, Tierra,” Skye said through the link. “What are the chances that we’re going to run into patrols?”
“I have not seen anyone leaving the city, though I do not know if that means
anything.”
“But you’re essentially imprisoned, aren’t you?”
“River and I cannot leave, but we are not confined to our rooms.” Tierra paused, seemingly thinking about something. “I cannot say for certain, but I suspect our hosts think the location is enough of a deterrent. They do not seem to be concerned about the security of their tunnels.”
“What of the patrols outside?”
If Tierra had been standing before him, Skye knew her arms would be spread wide in a gesture of helplessness. “I cannot say, Skye.”
“All right. We’re on our way.”
“I cannot wait to see you. I am looking forward to leaving Hearth behind.”
Skye let out a mental snort. “Hearth, huh? Lovers of the earth naming their home ‘Hearth.’ Quite an imaginative bunch, aren’t they?”
“Like a member of a sky-dwelling race called the ‘Skychildren’ is one to talk,” Tierra said dryly.
“This coming from a ‘Groundbreather’ princess,” Skye returned. “I’m glad to see you still haven’t lost your spark.”
“It will take a lot more than some time spent in a cave to quell my spirit,” Tierra said. “Now, hurry up and get down here.”
Skye let loose a mental chuckle. “Your wish is my command, Your Highness. You know I have no wish to remain away from you a moment longer than necessary.”
Tierra sent back a nudge and said nothing further. Yet she remained loosely connected to Skye, who periodically checked with her for assistance when Stone and Jasper had trouble finding the way. The process was a slower one than Skye would have liked, but they did the best they could.
Though Skye dreaded the notion of traversing down deep into the earth, he found that most of the tunnels were surprisingly large, almost as though the people who had created them had anticipated the passage of large equipment. Or large creatures, Skye thought with a glance at Strix, who remained on Skye’s shoulder.
Yet there was a sort of foreboding about the underground area. The tunnels had not been made with an eye for aesthetics, but for practicality. The ceilings of the tunnels were rough with clunky rocks and loose dirt and even—at least initially—the roots of deep-reaching plants. In some ways, the tunnels looked as though they had been newly hewn. Dirt clods hung down overhead, and Skye was certain that a large clump would fall on his head at some point. He did not understand how the makers of the tunnels could have taken so little pride in their work. There were not even any sconces on the walls to hold the strange torches, though he supposed that made sense since the torches required active work from a Groundbreather to light up.
