Spoiler!
This takes place after Kristen Cashore's new novel Fire
Disclaimer… Most of the characters and places belong to Mrs. Cashore with the exception of a few
A Graceling in the Dells: Chapter 2
I woke from my peaceful morning nap to a world filled with darkness and a barking dog. I'd left Scout to guard, under the strict instructions that I should be woken if there was any danger or anything unusual. Obviously our predicament would count as both.
I looked around in amazement, fear, and excitement. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I realized we must be in some sort of underground river cavern. How we got here is a complete mystery to me, there were no waterfalls, rapids, or even the slightest bump that could've waken me. But never the less here we were, unable to paddle backwards or call for help. Completely alone in this dark and scary abyss.
My immediate reaction was to panic. I started crying and looking around frantically for an exit, yelling at myself for being so stupid as to take a nap with a dog for a watch guard. Speaking of my dog, there Scout was at the bow of the boat peacefully looking into the darkness, as if she could see something I couldn't. Scout and I had been together for just about my whole life. Her and me were an unstoppable team; we'd become so close she could practically read my mind. And if she wasn't panicking there was probably a very good reason behind it.
I came up to her and tried looking where she was looking. I peered into the darkness, straining my eyes, looking for the slightest hint at life. It was no use, I couldn't see anything. But then it hit me like a hundred pound weight; I could use my Grace. I didn't have to see anything to be able to feel the presence of creatures. How stupid was I?
I closed my eyes and sent my mind out ahead of us, feeling and searching for something I wasn't sure was there. I felt rats, some alien under water creatures, and of course I felt Scout. I was ready to give up when I sensed it. Just on the edge of my mind, a humming almost, the presence of many intelligent creatures. I extended my mind out to it, until I felt like the world was dropping on top of me. I came back to reality with a single woof from Scout. She'd seen the pain in my face from stretching my limits so far.
There were people out there. I was sure of it. Not just some people but a city built into the stonewall of the cavern. I looked towards Scout and gave her a huge hug. We fell into the bottom of the boat, her licking my face and me laughing from relief. After almost a week and a half of rowing we'd come upon people. People! I didn't even care if they were illiterate or lived like animals, I, Thia Stonemason, had found people east of Estill.
If only my king could see me know, an explorer taking risks and finding things no one had ever dreamed of. Not just a killing machine without a will or a mind. I wish my parents could see me, all grown up and independent, they'd be so proud.
These thoughts brought tears to my eyes, tears of regret and sadness. I wiped them away with a swipe of my hand and sat I down to row my boat closer to the strange underground city. As I rowed I could feel the humming getting closer and closer till I could almost pick out individual minds. But still after half an hour of rowing we couldn't see any kind of city. I was confused, the minds seemed so close but how were we supposed to get to them?
But then Scout brought my attention to something I hadn't noticed. I looked ahead and realized there was a huge turn in the river. I prepared myself for some tricky maneuvering and maybe even some small rapids. Contrary to my preconceived perception of what the turn would be like, the turn was slow and smooth and brought us into a valley sized underground lake.
On the opposite side of the lake was a tiered city glowing with lights and buzzing with noise. This gargantuan cavern provided for some excellent echoing and I could hear from my vantage point all the sounds of a normal city, animals, babies, and old men arguing. I dropped anchor, preferring to not be discovered before I wanted to.
I sat in the cabin of my small boat and I thought over my situation while slowly petting Scout's soft head. There really wasn't a way around what I had to do. I had to go out in the middle of that lake and make my presence known to the whole city. Rather than think over everything 20 times more, I took the last bit of courage I had and pulled up my anchor. I lit my few remaining torches and rowed out into the middle of the lake.
I let my presence sink into the minds of everyone in the city. I used my grace, willing them all to look out into the lake. I heard the city go quiet. Everyone was watching me now; I had the whole city as my audience. I turned and saw a strange looking boat drop into the water, coming towards me flying a white flag. I knew that flag meant peace and I knew I must also fly that flag before they would come any closer.
I dropped my anchor and ran into the cabin, frantically looking for anything white. All I had was and empty sack that was once used for potatoes; I figured that would have to work. I tied my sack to the end of a fishing pole and came to the bow, waving it over my head.
I could see the people on the other boat now; all looked hard working with strong muscles and translucent skin. All accept one. She was a woman wearing a fancy robe with waist length pure white hair and blue eyes that shined through the darkness. I could tell she was there leader, her air of power and control over everyone else was tangible.
As soon as they were within earshot she raised her commanding voice and said, "Child, what is your name?"
ReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReview
Oh cliffhanger isn't that exciting…
If you have any questions or comments please review!!!
