Okay, this was a difficult one. I had to get her own plot moving, hint at what is to come, AND make it sound interesting... this is definitely not my best work, but hopefully Iris will improve in the future. Review and enjoy!
Chapter 14: Oops
"She is here, then? Ayame has returned to Nippon?"
"Oui, I confirmed it just a few moments before. She's on her way to the comb that hawk stole from Lady Ayame as we speak. The only question is if she will survive to get to it."
"Waka, what are you talking about?"
"Well, ma reine, I'm not quite sure she can swim."
"Where is she?"
"Exactly where I prophesized she would be, ma reine, in the river."
"I can't get out! Help! Somebody!" Iris struggled against the water as it tore at her, forcing her closer and closer to the waterfall that threatened to swallow her up. "Help…" She was dragged underwater for what might have been the sixth time, and she tried in vain to grasp onto an underwater rock, only for it to break off in her hands. What is this riverbed made of, granola? She swam towards the edge, and managed to grab some of the turf, only for the grass to break off. Are you ****ing me? Iris continued to claw at the ground, and finally managed to grab onto a rock that stuck – just as she reached the edge of the waterfall, dangling over the edge.
That's. Just. Peachy. Iris crawled out of the water, ignoring the hair ribbon that went tumbling down the falls, along with several scraps of cloth from the edge of her gown. At least I'm alive… water's grip. A path found in the water's grip. FUNNY, Waka. I'll make sure to give you a black eye as a thanks, next time I see you.
"Ah, she made it."
"Tres bien! Now, let's see if she can figure out where the comb is…"
Iris stared in disbelief. The entire path back to Agata Forest, save the river, was blocked by rock formations. She was trapped.
Fantastic, Iris thought, turning to face the waterfall. The only way I can go is down. But maybe… She carefully approached the edge. Yes! I can use the rocks jutting out from the side to get down without turning into an American-style pancake… wow, that was morbid. She shook her head. Focus, Iris, focus!
The first step down was always the scariest, and this was no exception. Iris would lower herself down a couple of centimeters, stop, and spend several seconds collecting her nerves before dropping a few more centimeters. She grabbed onto the sturdiest rocks she could find as her feet settled on the larger ones, before finally letting go and standing on the rock jutting out from the side. She looked towards the waterfall a few feet in front of her, and glanced down. Her eyes stopped when she spotted a dark patch behind the waterfall – a cave!
"Okay…" Iris jumped to the next large rock, splaying both arms out when she took a step back. She teetered back and forth, glancing at the ground as she tried to maintain her balance.
It was then that the wind started.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Iris grimaced through clenched teeth as the wind whipped around her, tangling her skirt around her legs. She quickly jumped again, and her foot slipped on the rock, sending her tumbling down.
I did not come this far to be a pancake! Iris grabbed Poet's Wrath from its sheath, and plunged it into the rock. She continued falling as it cut into loose cracks, feeling the descent slow until she was simply dangling several yards below the cave. Iris glared, and grabbed onto the wall, pulling her sword out and re-sheathing it before beginning her climb back up.
Her breaths were ragged as Iris finally stumbled into the cave, hands and knees bleeding and her hair a mess of wind-blown tangles. She dropped onto the solid ground, her body screaming at her in pain as she felt every muscle in her legs and arms throb from the strain. Ow… Iris thought. Ow. Just… ow… I hate climbing…
It was twenty minutes later when Iris finally summoned the will to move again, and forced herself onto hands and knees, looking further into the tunnel, which was dark and gave off a foul stench. She forced herself to her feet. Bat guano, Iris thought as she willed her aching body further in, just bat guano… please be bat guano…
The walls of the cave, Iris noted, were lined with torches of what looked like obsidian, inscribed with different markings – not Japanese writing, but something alien and strange. The flames seemed almost cold from the energy they gave off, and Iris found herself shivering as she continued in.
This is insane… I'm going to freeze by fire!
"Ma reine, she made it to the cave."
"Finally, some hope. She has retrieved the comb?"
"It's not over yet, Your Majesty."