{The Edge Of Bare Mountains.}

"Stay low to the ground and blend into your surroundings to the best of your abilities. This is a secret entrance we hope to keep our enemies in the dark about."

Grim searches the surroundings, his back to us as we stay back in what's left of the forest after it abruptly thinned out.

We're now facing a large open field at the base of a group of mountain, a salty tinge in the air as the sound of waves hitting a dirt wall echoes around us every few seconds. A bright blue ocean sits stretched out before us, only a island in the near distance to abstract the tranquil scene.

I shuffle my leg that's currently falling asleep due to crouching for however long it's been, readjusting my hand on the rock I'm hiding behind. Ron blows a irritated breath out through his nose, shaking his head hard enough to make his mane ripple like a wave.

Secret entrance, huh? Why does it not surprise me?

I hear Dare and Roxie shuffle behind me, obviously growing just as tired as I am about the whole 'sit here until the sun sets and don't make a noise' demand Grim instructed us with. Apparently he's waiting for some kind of 'sign' or something before he can lead us into this supposed secret entrance.

I lick my wind dried lips, moving my right hand down to wipe the sweat that's been pooling in my palm off on my thigh.

They're going to know who I am.

What if they immediately hate me? What if they refuse to let me through, insisting I take part in this prophecy?

I banish all thoughts pertaining to that specific topic from my mind, blowing a slow breath out in hopes it'll help ease the tension in my chest.

Breathe. You'll find out soon enough. Just stay calm.

Peeking out from around the large rock, I watch as the sun disappears behind the water in the horizon, a sudden darkness spreading out over the land. Immediately afterwards, almost like they were in sync, a small crack splits the air off towards where Grim is positioned.

Dramatic much?

"Alright, the coast is clear."

I slowly stand up, hearing both Roxie and Dare do the same behind me. Glancing down at Ron once, I then maneuver around the rock, heading over towards Grim.

He stands up at the base-base of the mountain, which I now see has a almost round hole cut into a area that was definitely not there earlier.

Okay, holes that appear out of nowhere once the sun sets. Cool, very cool.

"This will take us to Uirphen island: the refugee camp. Come on, we must hasten our steps." Grim whispers, sharply examining the surroundings behind us.

I stand to the side, allowing Dare, who doesn't even blink at the prospect of walking into a dark cave, to pass through first. Roxie hesitates at the entrance, glancing up at me quickly before ducking inside also.

I make a move to follow, only to stop as the weight of a hand settles on my left shoulder. I look up into Grim's face, raising an eyebrow up at his solemn expression.

He slowly takes his hand away, all the while staring at my face, using it to draw something out from one of his many hidden pockets concealed in his robe. My eyes slightly widen, sticking to the object that now dangles from his hand from a leather string, a feeling of nostalgia enveloping me at the sight.

It's the necklace, the stone Orenda gave me.

I look back up at his face, not really sure how I feel about this stone coming back to haunt me. "You kept it?" I can't help but question, my voice sounding too quiet, almost a whisper.

He nods, slowly reaching out with his free hand to grasp my left. He pulls my hand up to chest level, carefully placing it in the open palm of my hand.

A flash of warmth immediately spreads out from the area on my hand, all the way up my arm where it branches out to the rest of my body. That feeling of familiarity reappears somewhere in my chest after feeling almost cold and icky ever since I left it there on the dirt ground.

"It belongs with you. It can be a very powerful weapon in the wrong hands, Callon." His eyes pierce mine, and his hand moves to curl my fingers over the stone. "You must safeguard it for the sake of everyone."

I swallow, drawing in a deep breath.

If I won't do anything else, than I can at least wear a stupid stone.

I nod before I realize I've done it, and I pull my hand back towards me. A small smile immediately flickers across Grim's lips, and he takes a step back.

"And don't worry, I'll explain to them about the...predicament." He assures me before he's suddenly stepping through the hole in the wall and disappearing inside.

I look down at my hand, studying the stone a split second before meeting the curious eyes of Ron. I shrug to him, moving both hands up to slip the leather string over my neck. I run my forefinger and thumb over the smooth stone before tucking it down in my shirt, feeling a spark of confidence with the warmth it brings.

Deep breaths.

Nodding to Ron, I duck down just enough to fit through the five foot tall opening before finding myself surrounded by darkness, which is saying something for me, Ron padding along behind me. The musty smell I've come to associate as a cave fills my nose, and I catch the unmistakable sound of water falling before splashing down into a puddle.

My eyes latch on to a small green light in the distance, reverberating off the cruel walls of the cave. Looking closer, I realize it's coming off from the tip of Grim's staff, very Gandalf like, the crew already some distance up the tunnel.

Geez, some friends they are. Yeah, just leave me back here, I'll find my own way.

Rolling my eyes at myself, I quickly check to make sure Ron's by my side, then I speed walk towards them. Roxie glances back at me as I come to a stop close them, and that's when I realize, because somehow I didn't see this earlier, Arveldis is walking next to Grim, her hooves making a clicking sound as we walk.

Where'd she come from?....She must've sneaked in while I was distracted....?

Everyone stays quiet as we continue our way along, and I can't help but notice the dripping noise that's getting faster, the slight change in temperature and oxygen level.

Wait. Are we....traveling through a tunnel that goes underneath the ocean?

Catching the sudden, distant, sound of a wave pounding against some sea shore, I know that's all I need to confirm my suspicions.

Oh gee.

I can't help the volley of goosebumps that raise across my arms, or the sudden tension in my throat as I imagine the whole tunnel filling with water, everyone struggling to swim up only to be met with a dirt and stone wall, slow deaths unavoidable as the oxygen leaves and the water rises.

I shiver at the cold chill that runs down my spine, snapping out of my little 'horror dream'. I walk faster to catch up to the crowd I've somehow lagged behind, again, eyes unconsciously scanning the walls and ceiling for anything that could potentially be life threatening.

Though everyone else seems completely chill right now, besides Roxie who also keeps moving her head around as she searches the cavern, even Ron seeming to be right at home.

This can't be over fast enough.

After a whole ten minutes, and a lot of frantic moments I thought I heard something cracking, Grim finally stops as we come to a dead end.

I blink. Dead end. Why is there a dead end? Did someone forget to leave the door open and now we're going to die in here? Our bodies left to rot and deteriorate into more dirt as years upon years go by-

"No worries everyone," Grim's voice cuts through my frenzied mind. "I just need to tap the secret password and they'll open up."

The anxiety and pressure in my chest immediately goes away at his announcement, annoyance replacing them.

Really? He couldn't have maybe, oh I don't don't know, said this earlier instead of letting me have a mental freak out?

No sympathy what-so-ever.

Grim leans in closer to the stone wall, almost pressing the side of his head against it,  before raising his staff up next to his head. He taps the wall three times in a row before pausing, then he does two more quick strikes.

Silence lapses, and I hear his ending symphony fade off down the tunnel.

Roxie looks worriedly between the wall and Grim, her arms wrapped over her chest. Dare stands motionlessly next to Grim, almost seeming to hold her breath like this is something she's only ever dreamed of doing.

Oh wait, isn't this what she's always wanted to do? Join some rebellion like off of Star Wars and defeat the evil. Weird girl if you ask me.

I step back as there's a sudden crack from the wall, Ron letting a surprised bark out as he dances in a circle behind me, obviously not liking the wall that's now moving to the side like it's simply a door and not however many tons of rock.

My ears seem to almost pop as the air pressure in the tunnel changes, fresh air wafting in from the growing hole before us. The grating noise of the rock moving stops abruptly, and Grim takes that as his cue to exit the tunnel.

As soon as Arveldis disappears through the large hole, Dare doesn't waist a second before she too vanishes from our sight. Roxie glances back at me a second, then she seems to mentally steel herself before she lifts herself over the foot tall line of rock beneath the door and follows them.

I stare a few seconds longer, catching the sound of people talking. Flipping my hood back up, even though I know it won't help soon, I pat Ron on the head once before lifting myself over the floor panel and stepping out.

I immediately find myself in a type of out cropping of the caves exit, stone to each of my sides. There's a steep incline in front of me, revealing a dark sky and telling me there's only one way to go: forward.

Walking up the hill, I'm momentarily left stunned as the sky falls away to reveal what I can only assume is the refugee camp.

There's a large clearing stretched out practically as far as I can see, trees signifying a forest, keeping me from seeing farther. The island appears to be a few dozen feet above the sea, the sound of crashing waves heard every other second as the wild waves bang against the walls, almost like they're trying to tear the walls down. Torches light practically every inch of the large clearing stretched out before me, making it look as if it wasn't night time. White tents, that personally remind me of the ones off of Narnia, sit off individually every couple yards, all different sizes and shapes. Obvious paths go between the rows of tents, leading off to who-knows-where. And despite it being winter, I don't see a trace of snow on the ground.

Then, what makes me glad I pulled my hood up, are the hundreds of people now staring over in our direction.

I feel my cheeks grow warm, and I immediately look down at the ground.

"Torion Crimsonghast, you are to report to the council immediately." A voice demands from the crowd of onlookers, and a man steps out, not stopping until he's standing in front of Grim who stand a few feet in front of me.

They stare at each other a minute, and I can't help but feel a type of tension radiate from the air around them.

"General Viscount, how good it is to see you again." Grim gives the man a curt nod.

General Viscount dresses in what looks like some medieval armor, though it's the kind that's thick, yet not too bulky. He, from what I can tell while he's wearing full armor, looks to be in good shape, standing a few inches taller than me. A sword dangles from his left hip, and his right hand holds a matching helmet perched on his right hip. His face reminds me of a scowling hyena, something malicious about it despite him apparently being on the 'good side.' Short cropped blond hair, and dark brown eyes with a slightly crooked nose like he's broken it once too many times.

Though all in all, he looks like a fighter. Hence the title: General.

"Torion Crimsonghast." He sneers, keeping his voice low like he doesn't want everyone to hear him. And somehow, I get the feeling this guy has a grudge on Grim.

"Can't really say the same about you. It's been awhile, people were beginning to think you got yourself killed, or better, captured." He gives Grim a look before his gaze moves to scan over both Dare and Roxie before landing on me. I almost feel like shrinking under his stare as he refuses to look away for a solid five seconds, resorting to keeping my own gaze on the ground between his and Grim's feet.

Grim clears his throat, and that seems to snap him out of his staring contest. He stiffly turns around, eying the gathering crowd.

"Alright everyone, nothing to see here. Torion Crimsonghast is back, now clear the area!" He shouts, and people immediately begin to disperse. My eyes lock on to a small group of armed soldiers standing a few feet off, obviously waiting for something.

"Baron, with me. The rest of you go scout out the west coast." He snaps, the guards immediately coming to attention and saluting before marching off. The one who'd been more towards the front walks up to General Viscount, his eyes scanning all of us over as if he was assessing a threat.

General Viscount looks back at Grim before walking forward, obviously meaning for us to follow him.

Arrogant much?

Ron comes up from below, just now deciding to join us for some reason, leaning up against my leg seconds before a flash of uncertainty and fear floods through my mind.

I look down at him in surprise, and he meets my eyes.

He's...scared?

I look back out over the hundreds of people I can make out going about their usual evening activities, a distant sound of swords clashing off somewhere heard amongst dozens of other sounds and smells.

Though, can I really blame him? He's used to a tranquil forest with no one around. Humans and his kind aren't really ones to mix well from what I've heard. Heck, I thought Grim said no ones ever seen his kind and lived to tell the tale?

I stroke his neck a few times, trying to push some assurance through my mind to his. Patting him once more, I draw in a deep breath, preparing myself, then I take a step forward to follow the group of people I know.

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A/N

FIVE VOTES BEFORE I UPDATE AGAIN!! (That's my Rule.) ⭐️⭐️

K, so I know I haven't been updating very frequently lately, but I'm trying! My life is just pretty busy now between updating four books and life. I'm preparing to possibly start college in the spring, and take my drivers license test so I can legally drive by myself. (Not that I've don't otherwise. XD.) Though I do have the next chapter and a half written so far. (Somehow. 😉)

Teaser: Alright, so Callon's identity is soon to be revealed to the people! What's going to happen?

Also! I know it doesn't seem like it, but this book is already more than halfway done. 😱 I know, surprising. It probably seems like nothing has happened, but it's getting there. I still have to introduce y'all to this mysterious fourth main character. 😏 Who could it be?

And yes, there is a book two. 👌🏻

Maggy