The Journey: chapter 4


As our heroes marched through Mossflower, they joked about what had happened at the quarry.
When they stopped for lunch, Rive told them a riddle.
Look to the sky,
You may see me fly!
The earth is in my feathers,
the sun is in my eyes.
To find me ,
follow the winding snake
search for the fiery mound
seek the place of flowing steel
turn to dexetree.
And find the rose colored stones
there you will see
great mystery but a winder will find the way
and the silver one shall pass away.
A galloper shall return.
A striped lord shall be found .
All because the winder's around.

All of them sat staring at Rive. "Well then if were going to find the answer to the bally poem,
I guess we'd best find our way to Salamandastron." "Why must we go to Salaman- where ever it is." Rive questioned . " Well if the poem says the fire mound , that must be the mountain fortress." answered the unflappable hare. Hardleaf agreed " We'd best get to your brother Rive."
"Rive turned and said " But if Silver goes he'll pass away!"
"Nonsense !" Cherryall exclaimed." He won't if we protect him."
"You're absoballyloutly correct m`gel." So they headed off to meet Silver strike.
"Shhh. I need to give the signal or my brother will strike us dead and be gone."
"The winder winds a perilous web!" called Rive.
"That only the silver can cut!' A deep voice answered. All of the group looked at Rive, who pointed strait up.
As Terram looked he could see a creature all covered in blades. But his fur was what caught Terram's eye. He was entirely silver but he was only 15 seasons old!
"Wow! He really knows his way around a fight."
As he spoke. The otter in the trees jumped . Hardleaf started, Cherryall screamed and Rive only laughed. "WWWOOOOOHHHHOOOO!" Silver Strike yelled as he plummeted downward.
He stopped a few feet above the ground dangling upside down as he giggled at them.
"Meet my brother Silver Strike." Rive gestured and tried not to laugh as Silver had gotten tangled in the ropes that were woven into a harness..
The others just stared while the silver otter got even more tangled up.
"A little help here?" he asked. As Terram and Rive cut the ropes the otter Silver said " Great crew ya got there you ormadorm.. I don't suppose you remembered my vittles from the abbey?"
" Sorry brother, they were lost at the quarry." Rive told him ."Uh huh, I'll bet . So who are these rough looking beasts? Are they gonna help us solve that riddle of yours?" the enthusiastic otter asked. "Hush Silver." The burley otter said as he brained his brother.
" Aw, Rive." Silver whined. He was silenced by a glare from the other.
"Let's show our guests the camp" . Rive said in a tone that said do what I say, NOW!
" Okay" silver said as he moved to talk with Terram.
As the days passed the travelers from the abbey learned how to melt into the undergrowth, shoot a bow, sling a dirk, and make a splint out of mud and grass. Three days after arriving at the otter's camp it was time to go to the mountain; Salamandastron!