I found the most beautiful place today. I'm on top of a mountain, but there are trees surrounding me. In the middle of the trees there is something that resembles a desert oasis and around that, all through the trees, there is a meadow. Above here, there is a hole that lets in light from the Overland, it makes the area seem holy, being bathed in light while surrounded by darkness. I've decided to stay here. The Underland must be as big as the Overland and that would take me my whole life to explore. No, I'll wait here until I feel my boy is grown and then venture out looking for him. Until then, a little bit of sunshine couldn't hurt. I wonder where he'll be… There's a sketch of the mountain oasis at the bottom of the page.
Lizzie's eyes fluttered open and she was immediately uncomfortable. She stiffened when she realized Boots was on her lap and then relaxed. She picked up Boots and lightly leaned her against the wall, still sleeping. She groggily gazed around the room and found it all black. She wasn't ready to be up, but a noise had woken her. Lizzie looked for Gregor so that he could restart the fire. Once her eyes had adjusted, she spotted him with Luxa curled against his chest. Awwww! She thought. And then was disappointed. She wouldn't wake him up; the position he was in was too adorable. She considered going back to bed, but then remembered the noise and how she would have felt much better with some light and heat. The only other person who could light it was Hazard.
Lizzie bit her thumb nail, a habit she had acquired as of late. What if Hazard got mad at her for waking him up? She couldn't have that. This was really the first time when they'd actually talked. The last time when she was there, there had only been waves and hellos in the palace corridors. Lizzie could deal with the dark. The noise had probably only been someone shifting in their sleep, or it could have even been her imagination! But Lizzie really wanted some company and some warmth.
"Hazard?" She shook him, and when that failed, poked him with her finger. "Hazard?" The boy jumped to his feet, sword drawn and eyes wild. Lizzie gasped quick and sharp and started having a panic attack. Her mouth resembled a fish's as it opened and closed. Hazard's eyes adjusted to the darkness and he blinked hard as he listened to the sound of Lizzie struggling for breath.
"Lizzie?" He stared at her, having to squint to make her out.
"I-I- S-s-s-or-r-y-I-di-I-didn't-I-didn't-m-m-m-m-e-e-an to." She choked and frantically searched for her brown paper bag.
"Are you all right?" Hazard said as she fumbled around and then leaned against the wall taking deep breaths with the bag. She breathed in and out slowly. "Better now?" He asked. She nodded, embarrassed that she just had a spaz-attack in front of him. "What was it you wanted?" He said, afraid she might start having another attack.
"I heard a noise and I just wanted someone to restart the fire, but Gregor is all curled up with Luxa and you were the only other one I knew who could restart the fire." She rambled as he glanced at where his cousin and Gregor were curled up. He went to break them apart, but Lizzie put her arm out to stop him.
"No! You've never been on or heard about one of these quest things, have you? This could be the last peaceful moment they have together! People could die after this, there will probably be times where we starve or are close to dying of thirst. There could be battles with unlimited amounts of bloodshed. Just let them have this moment and please restart the fire."
"Fine," Hazard did what he was told and then went back to bed. Lizzie followed his example.
Gregor stirred and unwrapped his arms from around Luxa's waist. He stretched out his arms and then got up and shook everyone awake. A few minutes later Ares joined them with Cassandra. She was smaller than Temp, and a little shorter than Boots, but she was still large. She was light brown and looked slightly comical with a pair of eight eyed spectacles sitting on her round head. Like most spinners, she was very shy, so after everyone said hello and she wished them luck in a high pitched voice, giving strict directions to Ares to be careful, she went back into the depths of the cave.
"Okay, we have to get over this mountain. Temp, could you carry Boots on your back and climb up the mountain? Nike, you take Lizzie and Hazard and if Ares is feeling up to it," Ares nodded that he was, "he'll take Luxa and I. Does anyone have any questions? Okay, let's go."
The group spent half of the day doing this whenever they came to a mountain or ocean. They walked the deserts and they foraged for food and collected water from the forests they passed through. Finally, when everyone was tired, they took a break and shut off all the flashlights but one. They all sipped out of personal flasks of water and passed around the different berries and nuts they'd found.
Boots snuggled into Gregor's arm and began to doze while Gregor stroked her hair. Lizzie and Ripred were discussing something and Hazard was attempting to learn echolocation. Luxa was hitting the flashlight as it flickered in and out and then gave a huff of frustration when it did die.
"Wait…" Luxa spoke tentatively and Gregor looked up in her direction. "Do you see that?"
"See what; its pitch black!" Hazard ranted.
"No, no," Luxa said, "It's supposed to be, but it isn't. I can see your face, Hazard. Dimly, but I can still see it! There's a natural source of light somewhere. Come on, grab a flash light and let's go. We're in for a desert, so it should be fine since there isn't anything to block the light."
So, I know that this is quite a few weeks late and not even really long, but I've had a few busy weekends as of recent and I can't write during the week sometimes and a block is sitting on the creative part of my brain. But, anyway, review and all that stuff.