The Cave Part 16

It was early the next morning, and cool sea breezes rustled the leaves of the trees around the house, brushing against and dancing along the roof. Tharkin had made a hearty breakfast for the both of us, with steaming hot tea to drive away the chill. Everything I needed to reach the next town up to the north after descending the mountains was prepared. Water skin, dried fruit, a kind of bread cake that held itself together for many days without growing too hard and stale. I was a little concerned that I had no money to use once my provisions gave out, but Tharkin assured me that I would find my way well enough. He had foreseen it.

"You will find much work to do when you reach Vinesburg, about seven days good walking from here," said he, putting a long thick cloak on my shoulders after we had finished our repast. It was a silver gray in color, and with the brown tunic and legging underneath, I looked a very modest pilgrim indeed.

"And you say seek out the Church of the Bright Flame when I get there?" I asked for confirmation.

"Yes, I have a friend there in the person of Father Ionian. At least once a year I make the journey to Vinesburg, and stay there at the church with him while tending to business. He will make you more than welcome when you give him my name."

"I feel a little nervous," said I, with a laugh, "even though I survived the streets up until now."

"You sense the start of a new life, and new ambitions," said he in reply. "Here, a tome you should take with you to study while you make your first journey."

He handed me a dark blue leather tome then, with gilded inscription along its spine, and the illumination of a lion rampant on the cover. I opened the solid work, and read on the front page, the Reflections of Raith Kan, first advisor to the Kings of Lascar, volume one. So the first part of a series thought I, looking it over thoughtfully, but not yet perusing the work. Instead I placed it in my satchel.

"Raith Kan was a wizard that served the kings of Lascar as you can guess from the title page. Without the knowledge to teach you as a real practitioner would, I thought you could use the advice and insights offered by a professional as a guide to finding your own way."

"Very useful it will be I'm sure," said I in reply, studying the older man more critically. He indeed looked very tired in spite of the vigor he showed on his farm. I would have to return and see that all was well with him soon after my first journey out. Thankfully I could speak with him through the ring he had given me.

"Well, shall we go?" he asked, taking his own staff and leading the way.

My new thick soled boots were a far cry from what I had worn on the first journey here, and the rocky trail leading out of the vale to the cave opening was much more comfortable. Dawn was just starting to gild the tops of the mountain wall before us by the time we arrived. A very early start we had made indeed. I stood still and somewhat nervously before the cavern opening, as dark as ever before me. Cool air crept up from the void beyond, rolling steadily as if the breath of a sleeping creature.

"Here we part for the time being," said Tharkin with a small smile of regret. "The young sparrow spreads its wings for flight."

"Thank you for all you have done for me up until now," said I in response, feeling a painful tug at my heart. "I would not have survived without your generous assistance and teaching."

"You will do well, Cair. Now I am limited in my knowledge and advice, but I would ask the one in the cave any other questions you have if I were you. Those answers will be far more valuable."

"I shall. Farewell for now until we meet again," said I, shaking his hand and then turning to walk down the stone steps of the cave before I lost my nerve.

The Staff of Aquinian was a blessed tool as a light if nothing else, the blue flame illuminating the few feet in front of me as I descended. I had learned a few more uses already, but in a trouble free vale the light had been the greatest gift. Still, the atmosphere of the cave was magic indeed, limiting my sight. On my last return journey, I had not noticed the runic writing on the smooth walls of the passageway, and now they could be seen, cut deep into the rock. What they meant was still a mystery to me, not having learn to read these yet. My education had much to be desired.

"So you have returned, have you?" asked the voice in the cave, coming suddenly from above me when I least expected it. Somehow I had further to go, but my calculations must have been disturbed by my fascination with the runes on the walls. The darkness was still wrapped around the entity, and beads of cold sweat lined my brow.

"Yes sir," said I, deciding to stand exactly where I was until I heard further instruction. "I am going to the lands beyond with your permission, to Vinesburg along the north road."

"Sit down child."

I obeyed, using a large stone as a seat. There was a moment's pause, then a rustling sound filled the air as the darkness pulled back as if before the growing light of my staff. I stared in wonder as the floor of the cave was revealed with slow and steady splendor, piles of coins and jewels coming suddenly to life with glitter far greater than anything I had ever seen before. Then the fear and horror came upon me, as I saw two mighty clawed hands resting from the forearms of a vastly large creature. These also shimmered, being revealed to be of a dark blue crystal. The reveal continued, and an enormousness neck of shining scales proceeded out of a body, yet this was supple and alive, swaying ever slightly from the deep breaths of an enormous creature that could not be mistaken.

"You see me now, child?" asked the creature, a truly fearful dragon, with glowing white eyes that stood out the louder from his dark blue form.

"Yes, my lord," I gasped, having fallen forward on my knees with fear at the sheer enormity of him. No tales I had ever heard had prepared me for this. No wonder the adventurers had fled without me from the early quest. How had I forgotten this mighty beast?

"I am Garthax, who some call the Cobalt Death. Now, we shall discuss many important things."