"Okay, how about this," challenged Hal, brightening with her idea. "I am something people love or hate. I change their appearance and thoughts. For those who take care, I rise. To others, I am deceiving or a mystery. Some may try to hide me, but I will always show. But above all else, no matter how hard one tries, I shall never go down. What am I?"
The group was silent in thought, Hal watching everyone's expressions carefully to see who might guess her riddle first. Murtagh sat behind her, having less inclination to join her and the elves in their game of intellect as he paddled their small boat down river. But Hal was enthralled by the challenge, and he more enjoyment watching her go toe-to-toe with the elves than participating himself.
Finally, after several minutes, Irindriel snapped his long, lean fingers as his expression brightened. "Am I 'age,' Miss Halen?"
Hal clapped with delight. "Yes!"
"Clever, seeing as how elves do not show age as easily as humans do."
She beamed with a humble pride, and Murtagh knew she was giddy at receiving such praise from an elf. As if knowing he was thinking about her, Hal turned back to look at him, her eyes shining as if to say, Did you hear that? He grinned back and winked, enjoying the flush that filled her cheeks before she turned back as Baldor exclaimed, "I actually have a riddle to share," and was quickly roused by the others to speak.
After nearly a week of travel through Du Weldenvarden, their small group had stopped at the final elven city for one more night of rest. There, as planned, they left their horses behind to continue by boat through what the elves called the Daum River. They were split into three, with Thorn following overhead. Hal had been somber to part with Shadow, even after making the elves that took her promise to treat her with the best of care.
Murtagh, Hal, and Irindriel traveled in one boat. Then Baldor, Albriech, and Eldrin, lastly followed by Ysildea, Faelyn, and Ailen. It wasn't as fast as horseback or dragon, but there was something almost tranquil about the smooth-flowing river that carried them out of the massive forest. The landscape was perhaps some of the most gorgeous Murtagh had ever beheld, the soft brown of the earth and tree trunks blending with the vibrant greens as signs of spring began to bloom and appear. The sky was already shaking off its miserable grey with a bright blue that made Murtagh think of home.
Soon, it became too noisy to continue their game, a dull roar climbing as they moved closer. "Miss Halen!" Ysildea called out. When Hal looked over, the female elf gestured with her chin at a sight up ahead, her pace keeping with Murtagh's as she took her turn rowing. "Behold, the 'Queens' Falls,' dedicated to the queens who have and continue to rule over elven kind."
Murtagh turned his head at the same time Hal did, and in a few moments, her gasp was inaudible over the waterfalls that appeared around the bank. Murtagh's gaze kept moving from the falls to Hal, her wonderment the exact face he had pictured when he had first longed to travel with her. Her brown eyes were wide and staring, like she was taking in every tiny detail, committing them to precious memory. And he couldn't blame her. There, towering over them at a safe distance were three tiers of seemingly carved rock, falls of all shapes and sizes cascading down the side of one ledge, into the pool below, only to feed right into the other set of falls until it all met at the river where the group now traveled. There was moss and green growing on the rocks, and some manner of flora bold enough to thrive near such foreboding pressure. The many falls cast a mesmeric light across as the water cut into the surrounding scenery and sunlight, creating an almost lilac glow around it.
As they continued on, the sites remained incessantly breathtaking. There was the shore were every stone seemed to be made of glass, or the fields of flowers in almost every color that Murtagh made a mental note to bring Hal back to when they were alone after watching her frustratingly attempt to quickly sketch the scene in her book. Some the elves had stories and explanations for, filling the otherwise calm silence with their tales, told in soft yet engaging voices. Others they did not, except for the presumption that it was either nature or magic that had done it, filtering out from Du Weldenvarden even though they had since left it behind.
It wasn't long, however, before the mountains came into view, and Murtagh knew they were officially out of Alagaësia. While there were still many leagues to go, the snow-capped range loomed over them almost menacingly. It was still green and lively where they were, the mountains around them still covered in trees. But Murtagh knew how slowly the snow and chill would creep up on them, followed by the ice. And then, all too soon, they would simply wake up one morning, praying they did not freeze in their sleep. Their days of travel began to blur together, and a heavy silence was sometimes the only company they had for miles on end. More and more, the almost pleasant-like start to their trip had quickly become ominous, the mountains a reminder of where they were headed and why.
One night, camped around the fire the elf, Ysildea, had made for the group, Baldor asked, "What do we think exists in this unknown territory exactly? Any theories?"
"Well, we know for a fact that this blackened land exists," Murtagh began, arms folded over his chest as he tried to stave off the urge to fall asleep. Riding in boats was becoming unbearable that the hard earth was starting to feel like a soft bed in comparison, but he always felt like he was moving every time he closed his eyes. Not to mention how they all had to walk around to get use of their legs again.
"And then there's the borrows of Anghelm," said Irindriel, his pale and serene face softened even more by the warm firelight. "It is believed that the dreaded Urugal king lies in a state of deep slumber there. It's not known exactly what might happen should he ever wake. But there are rumors, even amongst the elves, that he is a dangerous and powerful being. One that could fell even our best warriors."
Hal's grip on Murtagh's arm tightened. "But…we're not headed in that direction. Are we?"
"It's hard to say," said Faelyn, shooting her an apologetic look. "Truthfully, none of us have been this far north before. Since we are in uncharted territory, we will have to make sure to keep our eyes and ears open."
"However," added Irindriel calmly, "it is said that Kulkarvek lies to the northwest, closer to where the Urugal clans are known to be. Some even say it's on a separate land entirely. If we had hiked through the Spine, we likely would have had the misfortune of running into them eventually. But we are headed more to the northeast. We should be safe."
"Oh, good," breathed Hal, still sounding far from reassured. "I'd hate to deal with more than one extremely powerful being at one time."
"As would we, Miss Halen."
"Anything else exciting we should be aware of?" interjected Baldor, looking equally concerned, but clearly trying not to let it show.
Albriech snorted. "Why ask questions you don't want the answers to?"
"I like knowing how to prepare myself, thanks very much, brother."
"I was once told that evil lurked in these lands," Murtagh continued, his voice low and grave. The group fell silent, listening carefully. "Evil that would apparently be too much for even Thorn and myself. Although it was not specified what else existed here."
"Ancient beings," responded Irindriel. "Ones supposedly as old as the land itself. There are some elven theories that, due to the surging populations of the mainland, many creatures moved to outlying parts of the country — think the north, the desert, and even far east — to avoid running into the humans or the Urugals."
"Creatures beyond the dragons and dwarves?" asked Hal, her earlier concerns making way for her natural curiosity. "I was told that they were believed to be the first creatures to inhabit the land."
"Aye, that is considered an accepted version of history. But the truth remains that there is still much we do not know or understand. So much was lost to us because Galbatorix destroyed many precious records and artifacts that will never be recovered or known. What information does remain can only be so thoroughly researched. Galbatorix wiped out dragons that were as old as the land itself." At this, Thorn let out a low, menacing growl that captured everyone's sentiments exactly. "And even the oldest elf is not native. No…I fear we many never truly unravel the mysteries of all that exists here."
Irindriel looked over at Hal with a sad smile, but his features quickly twisted in surprise. "Oh, I've upset you."
Murtagh looked down, surprised to see Hal wiping her cheeks, shaking her head. "No, no. I'm all right, I promise." She cleared her throat, looking rather embarrassed. "I just…I don't think I realized just how far reaching his damage was. I mean, I knew he had wiped out the dragons and that text had been lost and destroyed. But I guess in my narrow worldview, it didn't dawn on me all that the we lost at the same time."
"It was a grave loss indeed. While we cannot get back what was taken from us all, we can work to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Generations deserve to know their history. Not just because it presents teachable moments about ourselves so that we can continue to grow and advance, but because there comes a sense of pride in knowing one's history. The elves are quite fortunate in that regard in that we can hold on to such memories ourselves as well as in our texts."
Murtagh could see on Hal's face that she was both enraptured and thinking, her mind working as she took in all that Irindriel was saying.
Before it got too late, the group turned in for the night, Ailen and Eldrin taking first watch. It was strange. Just a few months ago, it was only Hal, Murtagh, and Thorn. Their small trio struggling to keep watch, isolated and alone with the fate of their futures bearing down on them at every turn. And now, here they slept in a group of ten — they did not even have to keep watch if the rest of their party deemed it unnecessary. Although Hal continuously voiced her dissatisfaction with not being able to pull her own weight that, on occasion, they would wake her and Murtagh for a shift as a courtesy.
"Murtagh?"
He glanced down, not having been paying attention to the fact that Hal wasn't asleep yet. "Yes?"
"Out of curiosity, would you mind telling me what it was like when you read your mother's diary?"
That hadn't been the question he was expecting, and he struggled at first to come up with an appropriate response. He settled himself in more comfortably, pulling her deeper into his chest without much thought at this point. "I suppose I felt a mix of emotions. Fear and anxiety, because I did not know what to expect or what her feelings towards me could be. Curiosity, of course, to learn more about this woman who was such an enigma to me. Anger, not just at her, but at the realization that I had forgiven her, and now must face the truth that I was deprived of such affections that I had craved for so long. Anger that I could never bring you home to meet her, because I know she would have loved you as much as I do." He met Hal's gaze and they shared a sad smile. "But mostly, I just felt comforted and at peace. I knew more about my mother and what her life was like, the inner workings of her mind. I felt more connected to her, if that makes sense."
Hal listened with rapt attention, nodding along as he spoke until he was finished. "Irindriel's words earlier had me thinking. About history, and the important role it plays. I cannot help but wonder how this moment in history will be remembered. And how the fact that so many people had to be forgotten in order for events to unfold the way they have. It's just all strangely connected, in a way."
He watched her quietly, her introspection compelling. "You want to do something about that, don't you?"
Her lips twitched. "Am I becoming that transparent?"
"Yes and no. But I know how you are when you get stuck on something. You are not someone who can sit around doing nothing."
"Aye, you've got me there." She rolled onto her back, looking up at the ink black sky, the number of stars blanketing it dazzling to behold. "I was thinking about writing down what I remember of the Sani people and their traditions. What life was like on Uden. And…about what happened that night. Perhaps, when we return, I could talk to Giles about petitioning the queen to mark the records as official. So that their deaths are not forgotten, and Galbatorix's inhumanity is always remembered. I know all the stories will remember Eragon and the Varden and, perhaps I am too close to this, but that feels false also. A lot of innocent civilians died in that war. I don't want them to be forgotten casualties just because they were not soldiers or dragon riders or rebel leaders. I don't want our history to start by telling them that in the wake of their deaths, we didn't even care enough to remember them."
Murtagh felt his wheels turning as she spoke, already noting where and if he had any influence to help. "I like that idea, iet dunei."
"You do?"
"I really do. And I know I cannot do much, but if I can help in any way, please let me know."
She smiled softly, her expression still heavy. "I will."
…
By the time they had reached the foothills of the mountains, the shift in the weather became apparent. The steady decrease in temperature they had experienced as they traveled further north seemed to drop completely and without warning. It wasn't long before snow began to drift down from the bleak sky, calm at first. Then, over the course of several hours, the wind grew sharper. Even Thorn had to fly lower, the winds much too strong for him higher up.
"What is that?" Hal asked, leaning a bit too far over the edge of the boat for Murtagh's comfort. He followed her gaze and had to strain to catch the flash of red eyes, several pairs, following them. Only when his eyes adjusted did he realize they were wolves, with fur as white as their surroundings. "Are they Shades?" Hal followed-up, looking between him and Iridriel for answers.
"It's hard to say," the elf answered with furrowed brows. "It's not unheard for an animal to be a Shade, but it's hard to believe anyone would live this far north to turn them."
"I remember seeing such creatures like that when Thorn and I were last here — he liked the challenge of hunting them for how they blended into their surroundings. I believe he mentioned a few other animals with white hides."
Hal's eyes brightened. "Oh, how fascinating. I wonder if the snow and lack of sunlight turns their fur such a color. And they look so much like lovuk still…I wonder if the two species are related."
"Lovuk?" Irindriel repeated.
"A species native to Illium" she explained. "Murtagh had never heard of them before he arrived either so I'm inclined to believe they are not elsewhere."
"But they are very similar to wolves," Murtagh added for reference. "But much larger and faster. They could certainly be related."
"I am indeed curious now too, Miss Halen," the elf said. "Are you rather interested in nature?"
"Absolutely. You can ask Murtagh, but I would spend hours tracking the wildlife on my island. I always wanted to come to the mainland to learn about how nature varied from what I was accustomed to. I've seen so much, but sadly I have had no time to study it like I would have wanted."
"In that case, I certainly hope you will return to Du Weldenvarden soon. With ample time, I'd be more than happy to take you on a proper tour of our forest and all it has to offer. I wish I had known and I could've shown you at least some things before we left."
"Do you promise? Because I will not hesitate to accept such an invitation if it is true."
He laughed at that. "It is a promise. I would be honored."
Hal clapped her hands, giddy, as she turned back to the wolves that had started to fade as they drifted down the river, the small herd disappearing as they turned their backs now that they threat of newcomers had passed.
The river ends about three miles ahead, Thorn warned him. There is not much, unfortunately.
We can make do, Murtagh assured him. You rest and we will meet you there.
When they reached the icy banks, they disembarked slowly and carefully, pulling their winter gear tighter around them. Thorn landed nearby, his crimson red scales the only point of color for miles. Gone were the blue skies, greenery, and brightly-colored floral. Now they were surrounded by nothing by grey mountains, the tips of which towered menacingly over their heads, and snow. It looked as bleak as Murtagh remembered.
It feels like a lifetime has passed since we were last here, Thorn commented.
We were hardly the same then, so that's no surprise. Much has changed, as crazy as it is to believe.
It is crazy, and yet it's not. Truly you had been changing beforehand, I just don't think it was at the pace you would have wanted. But you found your potential and you found your place, as I always knew you would. I would not have picked you if I thought otherwise.
Murtagh smiled, turning away from the wind as he went back to help the others unload. I know, Thorn.
Once they had everything fastened to their persons or to Thorn, they stared at their three boats and at their dismal surroundings. There was hardly an ideal place to hide them so that they weren't stolen or broken down. But their surroundings were so barren it was hard to believe that anyone would just happen across them.
"This will be the first test of our luck," Baldor muttered as the group all agreed to risk it and leave the boats as they were. They carried them as far from the water as possible so that they didn't get stuck and freeze, but they had a feeling they'd still be digging the pieces out of ice by the time they returned.
The group looked towards the mountains, a feeling of trepidation washing over them. Murtagh felt Hal reach for his gloved hand, squeezing his fingers firmly for comfort. He returned the gesture before she took a deep breath and said, "Let's keep going."
It was difficult to gauge the days, the overcast sky a constant companion along with the frigid temperatures. Conversation was sparse, everyone keeping their heads down against the brutal wind that tried to slow them down. Thorn took to walking beside or behind them, preferring to stay on the ground so he did not have to worry about his wings catching in the air. Not to mention his presence warded off other predators that watched the group from a wary yet curious distance. Some were recognizable, like bears and more of the wolves, and giant moose-like creatures as big as a man. Hal kept trying to observe, and Murtagh and Albriech would have to hurry her along.
I sense a presence following us, Thorn stated suddenly one night. The group was gathered around the fire, trying to convince themselves to lie down and rest despite how hard it was to do in such miserable conditions. The sooner they could be free of this place, or find a proper place to get some food and sleep, the better.
Murtagh, who was holding Hal to his chest as she drifted off, had to fight the urge to sit up in alarm. What do you mean?
I can't quite explain it. It's truly just a feeling. I pick up no discernable scents that would cause alarm aside from the curious animals that appear. And perhaps that is all, but I would not be so sure. Whatever it is, they are well hidden even from me.
Murtagh bit the inside of his cheek, trying to think. He did not want to raise any false alarm by warning the group, but he could not dismiss Thorn's feelings so quickly. He trusted the dragon and his instinct, knowing it would be foolish to think their odd-looking group may not attract some attention.
Okay, I'll let the others know. I hope they aren't a threat — this is not the sort of distraction we need right now.
I will continue to travel beside you should they be.
Aye, thank you.
When Murtagh was finished telling the others, Hal was starkly alert and the entire group was somber. He knew it was not the sort of news they were hoping for, and it added a layer of exhaustion that had slowly started to creep in during their journey.
"Do we think it is the Shade?" Ysildea asked, her predator-like eyes looking past the others, into the frightfully dark landscape around them.
After Thorn responded to Murtagh, the rider shook his head and repeated for the others. "Thorn doesn't think so. He's been close enough to Thea now he's sure he'd recognize her scent. He confesses he still can't be sure why he feels so strongly about this, only that he does."
"The instinct of a dragon is not to be doubted," Eldrin assured them both. "We will take this matter seriously."
"It is best that we act like we do not suspect anything," Faelyn added. "Keep watch as we have, continue on as we have. See if they think we don't know and let their guards down enough to show themselves or perhaps they will simply leave us alone."
"I hope it's the latter," muttered Baldor, holding his hands up to the flames Hal had called forth for everyone. They held beautifully even in such conditions, a small but important sign that her abilities were growing stronger.
"Aye," Faelyn agreed.
"How much longer do we have to go?" Albriech asked.
Hal shifted in her spot. "I can't pinpoint exact distance, but, it should be on the other side of this mountain range. I would estimate perhaps another three to four days without delays."
"We will have traveled a length longer than the Hadarac just to get there." Albriech shook his head in awe.
"Then we should get some rest then," Irindriel said. "Ysildea, Ailen, would you take first watch?"
Both elves nodded, their faces set with determination. As the group began to settle in for the night, wrapped in their many layers of blankets while Thorn shielded them as best he could from the wind, there was the weight of tension adding to the silence. Hal was trembling in Murtagh's arms from the cold, but she was wide awake now.
"At least try to get some sleep, Hal," Murtagh murmured.
"How am I supposed to sleep thinking something or someone could be watching us right now?" she hissed, shooting him an irritated look that he dare even suggest something as casual as sleeping.
"If we're being watched, they would not be so bold as to try something when we have such a large group. And it is as you said: we still have many miles left to cover. You will need your rest."
She bundled up against his chest, looking unconvinced. "Fine, I'll rest."
"That's my girl."
"But on one condition," she added quickly. "You have to tell me a story. My mind is too busy and won't be quiet."
"You know I don't have any stories."
"That is a bald-faced lie, rider, and you know it. You have plenty of stories."
"Like what."
"Like what?" she repeated, appalled at such an admission. "You have great stories of you and Tornac and Giles in the castle, stories of you and Thorn, stories from Illium, and most importantly stories of me!"
He snorted loud enough that Ailen turned towards them before realizing they were having a private conversation. She smiled at him before turning away, and he looked down at Hal and rolled his eyes. "You are so dramatic."
"I need something to distract me at least from this blasted cold. Honestly, I don't know how you and Thorn spent five years here. No wonder you were so miserable when I met you."
Murtagh was about to respond with a sharp bit of wit of his own when a sight overhead caught his attention. His instinct was to tighten up, preparing to push Hal against the dragon to shield her if needed. But he realized that Thorn was already staring at the approaching sight, and he felt his lips stretch into a smile as he glanced back down at Hal. "I've got something better for you."
"Darling, not in front of the others," Hal commented teasingly.
He didn't even have time to process that. Trying not to laugh, he just shook his head and gestured with his chin. "Look."
She frowned, glancing over his shoulder. He turned to realize that Ysildea and Ailen were also staring up at the dark sky, awe-struck and quiet. Hal quickly scrambled to her knees and looked past Thorn only for her mouth to drop.
"Oh my," she breathed.
Coming towards them like morning mist on the ocean waves were green lights in the sky, moving like ocean currents. Hal rose to her feet, Murtagh following close behind her. She stepped around Thorn, her gaze fixated. "What is that?"
Murtagh and I never were able to confirm it last we were here, Thorn said, projecting into both of their minds. But we thought it a magical energy of some kind. It only ever appeared at night, and we could never figure out a pattern of any kind.
"I'm guessing it's not dangerous then?"
No, not at all. At least not in our experience.
"It's beautiful." She fell silent as the lights approached, passing by overhead as if it had a specific destination in mind. Up close, it looked like ribbons in the sky. Ailen slowly and quietly woke up the others so that they could observe, and the group watched the proceeding in silence.
"I can't believe things like this exist," Hal whispered, as if speaking too loudly would scare the lights away. "Oh!"
Before they knew it, the lights seemed to grow brighter, getting closer as if curious. Hal flinched as if to step back, but Murtagh held her steady. "It's all right, love. This happened with us too. It won't hurt you."
She stood firm but fidgeted nervously as the light approached their small group with its own trepidation. It floated towards Hal first, as if sensing only her. "It's your magic," Murtagh told her. "I'm sure of it."
"It does feel like energy," Hal confirmed, spinning in slow circles to watch the tendrils wrap themselves around her. "Almost like my skin is buzzing."
Murtagh recalled a similar experience, and he was pleasantly surprised to feel that it still existed when it was his turn to be examined. As if confirming that while he could not use magic, it still existed within him. And the thought felt oddly comforting.
The display seemed to last both one minute and one hour. No one spoke, not even as the light eventually vanished, the stars alone once more in the nighttime sky. As everyone got back into their spots, the air had changed significantly from before. A small bit of hope lay with the group now, that so long as magic like that still existed in the world, it could never truly be gone for good.
…
Murtagh could tell that the lights had lifted everyone's spirits just a bit. Even though they didn't see them again, there were smiles and soft voices that indicated that everyone was still reeling from such a phenomenal experience. Like nature had sent them the smallest of signs in order to help them keep pushing forward.
Anything?
Nothing, Thorn answered. I'm not sure what I sensed a few days ago, but it is becoming harder to detect. But it is not gone. Only hidden from me.
I just don't understand what they're waiting for, Murtagh hissed, frustrated. I don't want them to catch us off guard, by I almost feel more uneasy by the fact that something or someone is following us. Could they know why we're here?
Even if they did, why wait to approach or attack? Unless they are waiting to see what we will do.
Murtagh liked that idea even less. It doesn't feel like a trap, but it doesn't feel safe. I don't know, Thorn. Maybe we should turn around, figure out another plan.
Then you should speak quickly, young one.
Why?
But just as soon as he asked, the wind carried a foul stench towards them, faint but distinct. Thorn, who must've caught it first, projected into the minds of the group with only three words.
I smell brimstone.
Murtagh could feel the shift in the others at the warning. Bundled up, everyone kept their heads down and pressed onward with even more determination. Perhaps to simply get there, find what they needed, and get out as quickly as possible. It was too late now to turn back, Murtagh now knew.
Despite the smell growing stronger, it was still a few more days journey to their destination. Sleep did not come easy, with expectations and nerves growing heightened with each passing day.
And then there was the smell.
Any lingering doubt as to whether or not they were headed the right way was quickly squashed. About two or three days into when they first caught wind of the smell, everyone now had to travel with their mouths and noses covered. There was nothing they could do for their eyes, since they had no way of protecting them from the smell, the ever-increasing wind, and still see where they were going. As the snow grew thicker under their feet, the very pass they were hiking through seemed to give them every final warning to turn back. And for anything less than stopping Thea or restoring magic to its full usage, they probably would have.
Finally, on the morning of a day they had long since lost count of, the group emerged from between the pass, arriving at the edge of a gorge that seemed to awkwardly cut through the mountains. Murtagh strained to look, thinking perhaps the river had frozen over, although he could still see the water rushing underneath. And there, on the other side, it's height level with theirs, was the blackened earth.
The group stood in silence, and Murtagh could feel the weight of this moment. He had searched for this place once before, and now, here it was. He wasn't quite sure what he was expecting. That perhaps the place would be crawling with evil and dangerous creatures, or that the answer would somehow just reveal itself to them. Either way, he stared across a desolate and dead wasteland where, for some time now, no life had dared grow. Like the land itself was cursed.
"It somehow seems worse than I pictured," Hal muttered, as though reading his mind. "This space is at least three times the size of what I saw on Uden. Maybe even more."
"Should we get closer?" asked Albriech.
"We have to, right?" replied Hal.
"Do we think it's dangerous?"
"It can't be," proclaimed Murtagh. "I dealt with a man who held a stone from this place in his bare hands. And it reeked of brimstone, so I know it was the real thing."
"We should split up," Ysildea stated, taking charge of the group's hesitation. "Albriech, Ailen and Eldrin, stay here and keep watch. The rest of us will go get a closer look and see if there's anything down there that we can use."
"No," Hal said suddenly, turning away from the charred lands to face the group. "Murtagh and I will go. Thorn can carry us. It will be faster than trying to find a way across for the whole group or having Thorn ferry us all back-and-forth."
"With all due respect, Miss Halen, I must protest. We are here to protect you three. Now is not the time to send you all off on their own."
I can carry three comfortably if that would help, Thorn offered. But I must agree with Hal. I do not see any other means of crossing and this route would be faster.
Ysildea looked at Murtagh with an expectant gaze. "Do you feel the same on this matter?"
Murtagh looked at each member of their odd little group, his gaze lingering longest on Hal who gave him a small shrug. He knew she would not mind either way, that she was simply trying to give them the quickest way to finish their task. But he did feel wary stepping onto these lands without some sort of immediate back-up.
"Thorn can make two trips, since it's not a long gap," Murtagh declared, reaching his decision. "Ysildea, you'll ride over with Hal. Someone else can then ride over with me. I don't care who. That should leave enough defenses on either side should we run into trouble."
No one protested the arrangement, and Hal shot him a teasing wink before walking towards Thorn, Ysildea close behind her. The rest of the group stepped back a bit to give Thorn space to spread his wings, and Murtagh felt the sudden clench of nerves in his stomach as the dragon lifted off into the sky. He wasn't quite sure what he was expecting, and perhaps that's what made him anxious. But Thorn safely landed on the plateau, before promptly returning for Murtagh and Irindriel.
When they touched down on the other side, Murtagh stared at the vast emptiness around them, realizing that he had no idea what they should be looking for. There was an eeriness with knowing that nature was simply incapable of growing here, the life completely sucked out of the earth itself. And if it couldn't be undone, then the land in Ilirea caused by Hal's magic would bear a similar, ominous presence as well.
Hal was huddled tightly in her coat, the openness exposing them to the harsh winds of the mountains. Somehow, it smelled even more foul here than it had when they had stood on the grounds on Ilirea. Did the smell worsen over time? Or was something about this place truly cursed?
"Where should we start?" asked Irindriel, looking between Hal and Murtagh.
Hal looked at a loss, and Murtagh could not blame her. The land was massive — and admittedly, during all their travels, they had not thought to come up with a steadfast plan for once they had arrived. Which felt like an obvious oversight now that they were here. Proving that this land even existed had been the primary priority, and clearly no one had thought to look past that.
Frowning a bit, Hal began to remove her glove on her right hand, exposing her hand as she crouched down. Murtagh bit back the urge to speak in warning after witnessing what had happened when she did this in the capital. But he didn't want to interrupt her. Instead, he watched as she placed her palm flat on the ground, closing her eyes in concentration. She looked as she always did when she was trying to focus, and Murtagh was curious as to what she was attempting to do. He realized she had never fully explained what had happened that seemed to frighten her so much last time.
Her expression became pinched, then pained. Murtagh gritted his teeth, shocked when Ysildea stepped forward in concern and it was he who held out his arm to block her. Seconds felt like hours, watching Hal until she finally yanked her hand away, stumbling back. Only then did Murtagh rush forward.
"Hal? Hal, are you all right?" Her skin looked waxy, and her hands were shaking violently as she clutched her head as though she were in pain. "Hal, does it hurt anywhere?"
She shook her head, her eyes wide and terrified as she said, "Th-th-there was another presence. I think it felt me. It knows we're here —"
Suddenly, the ground began to shake underneath them, slight tremors like the earth itself had moved. Then, there was a massive explosion from one of the mountaintops back the way they had come, chunks of icy rock hurled into the air. Immediately an avalanche was triggered, and Murtagh, Hal, Irindriel, and Ysildea watched in confusion, then in horror, as the thick layers of snow barreled downhill towards the rest of their group that had stay behind.
"THORN!" Murtagh shouted.
But the dragon was already leaping into the air, racing towards the others whose faces had paled in panic as they took terrified steps back, only to shakily remember that they stood at the edge of a gorge. For something that fell so beautifully, the snow moved at speeds Murtagh had never comprehended possible, and for a moment he feared the dragon wasn't going to make it.
Then Hal screamed Thorn's name so profound and so loud that it took Murtagh a moment to realize that she had also screamed across her shared bond with Thorn, her feelings so strong that Murtagh was pretty sure he felt it across his own. And he could not immediately see what she had, what made her look so frightened. But when he did, he felt the blood drain from his face.
The mountain had not simply imploded on its own accord. Breaking free from the peak like an insect escaping the confines of its egg upon hatching, was a massive beast as brown as dirt. His first thought was that it almost looked like a giant spider or perhaps even a crab, with legs — six instead of eight — longer than its actual body that gripped the mountain's face with ease. Then, it released this chilling screech that sounded like what the lethrblanka would make, but magnified, which shook even more snow off the mountain caps that surrounded them. Its head swiveled around, spying Thorn and then looking past the dragon, as if to lock eyes with Hal. Then it released another cry before beginning a frightening descent down the mountainside.