Chapter 9
Beyond The Mountains Of Claire Dome
It took only seconds for them to reach the Rosetta Stone and set off toward Claire Dome. Susan had been quite mean to Rose (thats what one would think of they were onlooking.) But actually, Rose new the word of a King or Queen was law and she must obey. Rose had now collected two of her lost relics and would soon be finding the third right before they reached the mountains of Claire Dome.
"Majesty," said Rose to Susan, as she met her at the bow of the ship.
"What is it, Captain?" asked Susan.
"The crystal," said Rose, holding out the White Crystal, which was flashing more then ever.
"But what does it mean?" asked Susan.
"It means that the next relic is very close by." said Rose.
"Claire Dome?" asked Susan, perplexed.
"Its a possibility. But the relics were told to be only on the Height Islands." said Rose.
"Possibly," said Susan, "the Spear fell into Claire Dome."
"Well, we'll soon find out, dear Queen." said Rose. "Shall I accompany you and your dear Elf into Claire Dome?"
"No, Rose." said Susan. "We must go beyond Claire Dome alone and not with any others. You may search it once we have departed for Devast."
Rose bowed and said, "Yes, your Grace." And she left.
In the next four long hours (I can't even explain properly about what Susan, the Elf, Rose, and the crew did because it would be to long and rather boring), the Rosetta Stone, soon lowered itself toward Claire Dome. Within ten minutes, the ship had settled itself, Susan and Paravatia had departed. They waved good-bye to the crew and Rose, as the ship rose up into the sky.
"How long will they have too wait, Majesty?" asked Paravatia.
"I told her an hour. That should be long enough for us to get through Claire Dome and find the place where my Royal Brother, Sister, Cousin, and friends are." said Susan.
"Well, Majesty, lets be off." said Paravatia, crossing across a rocky ground toward the entrance to Claire Dome. Susan followed.
The journey through Claire Dome was different then Susan had imagined. For it was nearly nightfall. The husky cliffs rose on each side of the trail which lead through Claire Dome. There were small cottages in different areas of the region. Some were placed on top of cliffs, while others sat beside the long trail. Some had lights on, while others were dark, they may possibly had been empty.
The trail soon turned upward into the mountains of Claire Dome, where no civilization was. It got colder and colder the higher you went up. Soon, the trail made a turn and soon, they were walking through a foot of snow. Susan grabbed her shoulders to keep herself from shaking rapidly at the cold. Paravatia was use to this kind of weather due to the fact she had lived most of her life in the North and actually lived on several mountain peaks. Suddenly, Susan stopped, held her bow rather tightly and said,
"Oh, dear Paravatia, I think we have found ourselves a dreadful problem."
"What?" asked the Elf.
"The trail through Claire Dome comes to a fork." said Susan, as they soon reached the fork in the trail. "Which way shall we head?"
"Oh, your Grace. That is a problem." said Paravatia.
"Can't you perform any Elfin magic to guide us?" asked Susan.
"I wish your Grace, but that won't happen." said the Elf. She was in fact in her state of law to not perform magic unless the situtation truly demands it.
"Oh dear us!" said Susan. "Now, Peter, Lucy, Edmund, Eustace, Jill, Aunt Polly, and Professor Digory will suffer! This is horrible! They were counting on me!"
"Now don't fret your Grace." said a voice from behind them. They turned around to find Rose, holding the glowing White Crystal.
"You weren't to follow for about an hour's time! This is treason!" said Susan.
"Your Grace is in need of help." said Rose. "I'll bet my treasure that the path is to the left."
"Why the left?" asked Paravatia.
"Due to the fact," said Rose, "my Crystal is glowing strongly, which means the Spear would be in that direction. It all connects. My crew and I finding you. You coming aboard while I search the Height Islands for my family's lost relics. Then we found the ring and the man who has taken thou family into his own dark world and tells you to look beyond Claire Dome. Then, myself finding out that one of my relics isn't on the Height Isle above Claire Dome, but really is in Claire Dome."
"Your right!" said Susan. "Sorry, I ever doubted you!"
"No worries, Queen Susan." said Rose, now leading the way through Claire Dome, holding out her White Crystal.
Night had now fallen and soon a summer's breeze washed over their cold bodies. All of the snow had now vanished and they were walking along rocky grounds. The only source of light came from the Crystal. They walked on for several more moments until they reached an end, on the edge of a cliff. Below them, stood a gorgeous heavenly valley. In the very center of the valley was a stone dais, which a black gate stood. They had only just realized they had gotten through the mountains of Claire Dome.
"Down there your Grace is where we must travel." said Rose. The White Crystal was glowing brighter and brighter.