Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “Yeah,” she replies, “I was.”

  Out at the cave's entrance Sven is looking out over the valley. The crescent moon sits over the mountain tops as the silhouette of Lunarus appears to be gliding across the moon's silver rings.

  It is that same moon that shines down over Namos as he continues his run. He cannot help but think about what he wants to do after he delivers the message. Memories of his youth come back to him.

  He is five years old and asks Brother Edward, “Master, what happened to my parents?”

  “When you were just an infant,” Edward explains, “a terrible disease swept through the town of Ofarin. By the time the brothers and I had arrived to help, many had already perished. We saved as many people as we could but Ofarin was left devastated. Your parents were among those who lost their lives. You were staying with your grandmother. She asked us to care for you because she had grown too weak to do so herself. We gladly took you in, Namos. We are your family now.”

  Namos memories skip to lessons with the brothers. Mediation, planting fruits and vegetables in the garden, and then later magic. One day he asks Brother Edward, “Master, when will I learn how to cure a disease?”

  “In due time, Namos,” he replies.

  “I want to learn, Master,” Namos says, “so that someday I can help the sick. Then no child will have to lose their parents.”

  Namos's memories fade, and as he runs through the night he thinks to himself that the time has finally come for him to make a difference in the world, and that he will do everything he can to help with the sick and injured. He thinks to himself that there is no better place to help than on the front lines of war.

  Chapter 31

  Off Limits

  Sven walks into the cavern after watching Lunarus patrol the mountain side. The others are laying down their furs near one of the two fire pits. Sven lays out his fur next to the other fire. On the far side of the cave Kristieana is sitting at Lunarus's desk and is reading the letter from Chance again.

  Evelena says to the girls, “We should make sure that we dry all of our cloths. We are only half way across the mountains, and we may not come across a better shelter for the night.”

  Rehma sits down on her blanket and says, “This is certainly better than sleeping in the tents.”

  “I never knew the journey would be this cold,” Gelana says.

  “I don't think any of us did,” Evelena replies as she sits down on her fur.

  Ja'noa warms herself by the fire. She says, “Kel'ana, would you braid my hair?”

  “Sure,” Kel'ana answers, “but you have to braid mine in return.”

  “Deal,” Ja'noa says as she sits down on her blanket.

  Kel'ana begins to braid Ja'noa's dark wavy hair. “How does my face paint look?” Kel'ana asks, referring to the star that is stained around her eye.

  “It looks fine,” Rehma answers.

  “The pigments are too cold to paint with,” Evelena says. “We may have to wait until we get down of the mountains to re-apply our markings.”

  Ja'noa says, “Should only be a few more days until we are down out of the cold.”

  “I am not so sure it is a good idea to go anymore,” Kel'ana says as she continues to tie Ja'noa's hair into braids.

  “Why?” Yentroc asks.

  “What if there are more orcneas on the other side than we can deal with?” Kel'ana asks.

  The girls look at each other while pondering the question. Ja'noa breaks the silence and says, “Chance would have come back and warned us if there were.”

  “What if he couldn't?” Rehma says.

  “What do you mean?” Yentroc asks.

  “I mean,” Rehma replies, “what if something happened to Chance.”

  “Not likely,” says Evelena.

  “Why not?” Rehma asks. “I was able to fight him without any trouble.”

  “That was different,” Evelena explains, “you caught him off guard. I doubt he would scout with his guard down.”

  “All I am saying is that he is not immortal,” Rehma replies.

  “We will proceed with caution,” Evelena says. “Perhaps Kristieana can scout ahead for us. She can turn into an eagle like Chance.”

  “Speaking of Kristieana,” Gelana says, “what is she doing over there at that desk?”

  “I don't know,” Yentroc answers, “but it looks like our guide, Sven, is saying hello to her.” Lyra looks up from her book and can see Sven at the other side of the cave talking to Kristieana.

  Gelana says, “I wonder what that conversation is about.”

  “I don't know,” Yentroc replies, “but I think Lyra better go over there and claim her territory.”

  Gelana and Yentroc laugh. Evelena says, “Yentroc, let’s not start with that again.”

  “Lyra knows I am only joking,” she replies, “right, Lyra?”

  When there is no response from Lyra, Gelana turns and says, “Lyra?”

  They all look around but cannot find her. Evelena says, “She probably went outside. I'll go and look.” Evelena gets up and heads out of the cave in search for Lyra.

  Across the cave, with her invisibility spell active, Lyra slowly approaches Sven and Kristieana. She stops behind Sven and listens quietly.

  “So,” Sven says with a smile, “would you like Sven to keep you extra warm tonight?”

  Kristieana folds the letter and looks up at Sven and asks, “Does that really work with other women?”

  “Yes,” Sven replies, “it usually does. So how about it? Sven is sleeping over there tonight.” He points at his fur blankets near the fire opposite of the women. “You can join Sven if you wish.”

  Kristieana can't help but laugh and say, “I cannot believe it. You introduce yourself and immediately ask me to sleep with you? I think you already have someone to keep warm at night. And I am only going to warn you once: If you ever try to do anything other than keep her warm...”

  “Lyra?” Sven questions. “She is just little girl. You though, are real woman.” Kristieana stands up and Sven walks up next to her. She looks up at the taller man as he says, “Sven can tell that woman like you must have hard time finding man capable of satisfying her. Chance made Sven promise not to touch others, but he did not say anything about you.”

  Kristieana clutches her letter from Chance a little tighter and replies, “Thank you for your offer, Sven, but I have already found someone.”

  Sven grins and nods his head as he steps back from her. “Very well then,” he says. “If you change mind, you know where to find Sven.”

  Sven begins to walk away as Lyra puts out her staff and trips him. He falls to the ground as Lyra runs off. Sven looks back at Kristieana who is laughing and says, “It wasn't me.”

  Sven, confused, stands up and says, “Must have been rug.”

  Lyra runs to the entrance of the cavern, and as she steps around the corner out of the view from the others she drops her invisibility spell. She takes a moment to gather herself before walking back into the open cavern.

  Sven starts to walk back over to the other side of the cave as Gelana runs over to Kristieana and asks, “Have you seen Lyra?”

  “Yes,” she answers, pointing to the entrance as Lyra walks back in, “she is right there.”

  Lyra, who is visibly upset, walks past Sven without looking at him. Sven stops and asks, “Lyra, are you alright?”

  She just ignores him and keeps walking back to where she has laid out her blanket to sleep. She lies down and faces away from the others. Evelena comes back and sees her and says, “There you are, I was just looking for you. Where did you go?”

  “I had to get some fresh air,” Lyra answers as a tear falls onto her fur blanket.

  Evelena is puzzled as she looks at the cave entrance wondering how she missed Lyra. She decides not to question it any further.

  At the other side of the cave Kel'ana joins Kristieana and Gelana. “It looks like we found her.” Kel'ana says. She then sees the letter in Kristieana's
hand and asks, “What is that?”

  Kristieana looks down at the letter in her hand and says, “This is nothing.”

  Before she can put it away, Gelana quickly snatches it from her grasp and says, “I don't believe you.”

  “Give it back,” Kristieana orders.

  “Relax,” Gelana replies, as she unfolds it and looks at the letter. “I'll give it back.” She then starts to read the letter out loud. “Dear Kristieana,” she begins, “I am sorry for leaving you without saying goodbye.”

  “Stop it right now,” Kristieana says as she looks across the cave to the others who do not seem to notice what is happening.

  “Who is it from?” Kel'ana asks.

  Gelana looks down at the bottom of the letter and pauses. She says, “You are not going to believe this, Kel'ana. It's from Chance.”

  “Is it really?” Kel'ana asks. “What else does it say?”

  “None of your concern,” Kristieana says as she grabs the letter back.

  “Wait a minute,” Kel'ana says with a smile. “You were there the other night at that Inn. Chance said he met you at Elonfar, but that wasn't the truth was it?”

  Kristieana sighs and quietly says to the two of them, “You have to promise not to say anything to the others, especially Rehma.”

  “Alright,” Gelana says, “as long as you tell us everything.”

  Kristieana again looks to the other side of the cave to make sure no one else is coming. She then begins to tell Gelana and Kel'ana what happened that night at the Inn.

  A short time later Sven begins to get ready for bed. He stands up and takes off his furs and chain-mail underneath. Kel'ana and Gelana are back over with the others as Yentroc nudges Gelana and points over to Sven who is now only in his trousers. Yentroc and Gelana stare at Sven's chiseled physique.

  Yentroc says, “I can't believe you got to sleep next to him the last two nights, Lyra. He can keep me warm anytime.”

  “You and me both,” Gelana says.

  Lyra, continuing to look away, says, “I am sure he would be more than happy to.”

  Yentroc laughs and says, “I don't think so. Remember, Chance made him promise to keep us off limits.”

  Evelena says, “Gelana and Yentroc, you two need to start focusing on why we are out here and not worry so much about Sven.”

  “I agree,” Rehma says, “you two are acting foolish. It's embarrassing.”

  “You have to admit,” Gelana says, “he's not bad for a human.”

  Sven looks up at the girls and can feel the weight of Yentroc and Gelana's stares. He climbs under his fur blanket and says to himself, “You owe Sven, Chance. You really owe Sven.”

  Chapter 32

  Day 9

  Eternal Night

  The next morning Princess Kianna and the others head out to Copper Pass. It takes them a few hours to make the trip up the winding path. Despite being smaller and younger, Ambra and Kelik seem to be having less trouble with the climb then their older sister Ya'leigh. They are ahead of everyone.

  “Wait up!” Ya'leigh yells to them.

  Ambra and Kelik wait at the top of a hill. “And I thought they were the adventurers,” Ambra says to her brother.

  When the rest of the group makes it to the top of the steep incline they find that they are at the gates of Copper Pass. Isen walks up to the gate and knocks loudly. A few moments later a small window in the gate opens and a man peers through it. He doesn't say a word before closing the window and opening the door.

  “Welcome,” the man says without hesitation.

  “Thank you,” Isen says. “Do you know where would we be able to find a meal?”

  “Are you hungry already?” Ya'leigh asks.

  “I am starving,” Isen replies.

  The man at the door points and says, “The Pick Ax is right over there.”

  “Thank you,” Isen says.

  They make their way to the Pick Ax and enter. It is noon and the place is empty. Only the dwarven innkeeper and one human patron are there. They sit down at the counter as the dwarf asks, “What can I get for you?”

  “Yes,” Garrin replies, not hearing him correctly, “The sky is blue today.”

  The dwarf shakes his head and repeats himself a little louder, “What can I get for you!”

  “I'll have an ale,” Garrin replies.

  Kianna then asks the dwarf, “I am looking for some information.”

  As the innkeeper pours the ale for Garrin he asks, “And what sort of information are you looking for?”

  “We are looking for a guide through the mines,” Kianna says.

  “Well, there are plenty miners around,” he replies as he hands Garrin his drink. “Any particular place you wish to be guided to?”

  “As a matter of fact there is,” Kianna says. “We would like to go through to the other side, through Coldrock.”

  “Coldrock?” he questions. “Well, now that may be a bit harder to find a guide for. Although there is a goblin who claims he has a map.”

  “Where might we find this goblin?” Kianna asks.

  “His name is Kreeshaw,” the dwarf answers. “He is usually here around lunch time.” No sooner than he says that, the front door opens and a goblin dressed in winter cloths enters. “You are in luck,” the innkeeper says. “Here he is now.”

  The goblin named Kreeshaw makes his way over to the counter and climbs up on a stool. He says to the dwarf, “The usual, please.”

  As the dwarf prepares a drink for the goblin, Princess Kianna asks him, “Are you Kreeshaw?”

  The goblin, surprised to hear his name, looks up at her and replies, “Yes, I am Kreeshaw. What can I do for you?”

  Before Kianna can answer, Isen steps in and takes over the conversation, “We are looking for a way through Coldrock to get to the other side of the mountains. We heard you might be able to help.”

  The innkeeper places Kreeshaw's drink in front of him. Kreeshaw picks it up and says, “Well then, I suppose I could guide you through the mountain, if you can help me retrieve something that belongs to me.”

  Kianna pushes Isen aside and asks, “What is it you need us to retrieve?”

  “Well,” Kreeshaw explains, “There are a couple large bags with some ore in them, but they are deep down in the mines. We could get them on our way.”

  “How would you get them back after we reached the other side?” Kianna asks.

  “I have a special bag that will help me carry all of the ore at once,” Kreeshaw answers.

  “Then why do you need us?” Isen asks.

  “Isen,” Kianna snaps, “will you please let me handle this.”

  “Sure, Your—” Isen begins to say Highness as Kianna elbows him. “Ow!”

  “My friend has a good point,” Kianna interjects. “Why do you need us?”

  Kreeshaw takes a drink from his mug then answers, “The problem is that they are being guarded by a giant cave spider.”

  “Maybe we should just go over the mountains,” Garrin says nervously.

  “Are you afraid of spiders?” Ambra asks.

  “Scared? No.” Garrin replies. After hesitating he adds, “I might have a mild fear of them.”

  Ya'leigh smiles and says, “Don't worry, Kianna and I will keep you safe.”

  “It's just a bug,” Isen says. “That should be no problem.”

  “For you it probably won't be,” Kreeshaw replies, “but I certainly can't do it alone.”

  “Any reason you haven't asked for help from the other miners?” Garrin asks.

  “Well,” Kreeshaw answers, “First of all, not many people are willing to go that far down into the mine. Secondly, I don't really want to share the ore.”

  “How valuable is it?” Isen asks.

  “It's worth me taking you through the mountain,” Kreeshaw replies.

  “So if we take care of the cave spider, you will take us through the mountain?” Kianna asks.

  “How do we know we can trust you?” Isen asks.

  �
��Are you always this distrusting?” Kreeshaw asks.

  Ya'leigh laughs and says, “Yes, he usually is.”

  “Look, there are seven of you,” Kreeshaw explains. “What do you expect me to do?”

  “I am sorry. Please pay no attention to Isen,” Kianna says as she pushes her big guard back. “He is just looking out for us.”

  “Well, I can appreciate that,” Kreeshaw says. “So do we have a deal?”

  “Yes,” Kianna replies. “We have a deal.”

  “Well then,” Kreeshaw says as he slams his mug down, “Let’s get going.”

  “Now?” Isen asks. “I haven't eaten yet.”

  “You can eat later,” Gena says. “I'll make you something if you will stop with your whining.”

  Later the group arrives at a mine entrance just outside of town. There are a few people working outside sorting rocks into piles as they are brought out to the surface. Kreeshaw asks one of them, “Have there been any orcneas today?”

  The man shakes his head and says, “No, nothing.”

  “Orcneas?” Ambra says, sounding nervous.

  “Don't worry,” Kreeshaw replies. “So far none have come up through the mines. I figured that is why you wanted to go this way, to avoid them.”

  “We will be fine,” Isen says to Ambra. “They will have to go through me to get to you.”

  Ambra looks up at Isen and replies, “If you say so.”

  Kianna opens her backpack and pulls out a brightly glowing stone. “Everyone, get out your light stones,” she says.

  The group begins their descent into the mine. They make their way down further and further, until it levels off and it begins to look more like a cave. Kreeshaw says, “This is where most of the others stop and don't go any further.” They enter a large cavern. The light from their magical stones is bright, but the cave is so large that they can barely see the walls.

  Kelik catches a gimps of something in the darkness. “Wait a minute!” Kelik says as he carefully walks over to the left side of the cave. He shines his light on a small patch of mushrooms. “Ambra, are these Glacier Mushrooms?”

  Ambra and Gena make their way over as the others follow them behind. “Yeah, I think so,” Ambra replies.