Stillborn 2 - The Fire Within: Chapter 4

 

4.

During the next two days they did not confront anything worse than a few cave shrews hunting for insects. These small animals had completely lost their fur and replaced it with a tougher and thicker skin which worked as an armor for them. It had been a necessary step along their path of evolution ever since they migrated to the caves from the surface. The Everdeep shrew was slightly bigger than its cousins, but it was still quite helpless against the monsters in the deep, being a big part of daily diet for many of them. The cave shrews should never be mistaken for the black, giant rats that hunt in large packs all around the labyrinth. Those vicious creatures can be worthy enemies for even a Weaver if they can find one alone.

The feeling of walls disappearing from around him was quite shocking experience for Aniceth as they entered the largest cave he had seen yet. The light of the staff was not anywhere near enough to illuminate the entire area. Several tiny, glowing sparkles were moving around in the far distance, dancing in the air like hypnotized by some unheard music.

”Let me see,” Angwar said and stepped ahead.

”I remember this place,” he muttered to himself while trying to see better what was waiting for them in the darkness.

”What are they?” Aniceth asked curiously, but at the same time his voice was shadowed by nervousness. Hoping it was something different than a wyvern this time, he glanced at the Darfin who was still standing in silence, focused at the floating lights in the dark.

”I would guess there are Nearks ahead, which would be a blessing, for they are peaceful creatures. Most beasts choose to avoid them as they're extremely venomous, but it's certainly a perfect place for us to recover for a moment.”

Aniceth was relieved. He agreed with the Darfin, they needed rest before wandering any further. He was also very curious to see these Nearks because there had been some talk about them during the classes back in the warrior school. They were symbiotes, tightly connected to the dalmrions, faintly glowing large mushrooms. When passed quietly without disturbing the Nearks, or causing any harm to the dalmrions, they completely ignored foreign presence.

”Turn off the light, Aniceth,” the Darfin requested as they walked toward the strange forest.

The floor of the cave was amazingly flat, feeling like they were walking through some kind of an underground desert. A barely visible path led through the cave, disappearing in the middle of the giant mushrooms.

”So, you know this place?” Aniceth asked after the staff had darkened once again.

”Yes, the Gibberlings dragged me through here.” Angwar explained. ”We camped at that same forest - Irighan was the name they used for that place. Now, the Gibbers are incredibly stupid creatures, but they knew about the Nearks. We rested in the middle of them and nothing bothered us. I believe we can do the same.”

”I surely hope so,” Aniceth whispered. He was not nearly as confident as the Darfin. These shining creatures that created light in their bodies seemed most unnatural to the Arathan, who was always taught that darkness is the greatest ally for the underground dwellers. The fact that they used light to keep certain predators away, while providing the Darfin an ability to see, did not make him feel any better. The staff was crafted by hand, thus creating an awkward exception, but these strange creatures blazed naturally, which was absolutely mindboggling for him. Almost like if they were breaking the very laws of nature itself.

They were extremely careful not to do anything that could be interpreted as an hostile action. The Nearks stopped what they were doing, which seemed like moving from mushroom to mushroom, gently caressing their surfaces, and approached the strangers that had crossed the borders of their realm.

Aniceth felt almost an overwhelming urge to draw his sword, but Angwar's tight grip around his arm kept reminding him not to do so. The eerie creatures surrounded them and studied them, while making noises that sounded like very high-pitched humming. They seemed a little like dragonflies with their four wings, but their body was not of an insect. Large, black eyes, thin, manlike structure, limbs so long they seemed out of scale, the Nearks were beautiful creatures. This strange entity was crowned by the white, translucent skin that allowed their internal glow to shine through easily.

After circling around them for a few seconds, they retreated back into the mushroom forest and continued their slow dance around the dalmrions.

”I think we are good for now,” Angwar whispered with a slightly tensed voice. ”Let's move into the forest; there is no safety outside.”

As they walked past the first mushrooms, they immediately sensed an increased humidity in the air. Small, clear creeks rushed through the forest, providing precious water for the mushrooms, and also for all the other creatures that called this place home. Irighal seemed to be like a blessed sanctum in the middle of the dreadful labyrinth. A thick layer of soft moss covered the entire cave floor underneath the great dalmrion mushrooms, and many different kinds of smaller fungi lived in the shadows of their giant guardians. They saw underlings, cave shrews, waterbeaks and many other animals they could not recognize.

Irighal was very different kind of forest compared to the one they had traveled through earlier, before they ended up in the nest of the Weavers. It was obvious that the mere presence of dalmrions and Nearks changed the entire place into something unique. There was absolutely nothing to be feared in this place.

Angwar found a good spot to rest along one of the many creeks. A small dint on the cave floor, fully covered by moss. It seemed like a perfect spot to rest after the long journey.

”What would happen if an enemy entered this forest at the same time,” Aniceth wondered while staring at the clear water.

Angwar shrugged carelessly. ”We would probably die, the Nearks will not allow any kind of violence near their precious mushrooms.”

”Is their venom really that strong?” Aniceth sounded doubtful.

”It is almost an instant death, my friend. If the enemy has any common sense, they will wait until we get out of the forest before engaging in battle.”

The Darfin turned back and forth for a moment before finding a comfortable position.

”Sleep now,” he ordered. ”I remember the way from here, but it is a perilous one, for our number is nowhere near of the Gibberling warband that brought me here. We will need all of our strength to make it through.”

”I hear wisdom in your words,” Aniceth agreed. ”Rest well, my friend.” But the Darfin had already fallen asleep, snoring lightly at first, but Aniceth knew it would deepen into thunderous grumble before long. Smiling lightly to himself, he closed his eyes and welcomed the refreshing sleep.

 

* * *

 

Without a clue for how long they had slept, but feeling rallied and refreshed as they slowly climbed out from their mossy beds, Aniceth felt strangely serene as he straightened his body. The ghostly Nearks continued their endless circling around the forest, and their glow reflected softly from the surface of the creeks running through the land.

Angwar followed his companion's example, rubbing his eyes, trying to get rid of the lingering slumber.

”I can't remember when was the last time I slept so well,” he said, yawning relishingly.

Aniceth had to agree. In the cities of the Arathans, such a deep sleep would have been foolish and dangerous. But in here, in the middle of Everdeep, was an oasis of tranquillity that made it possible.

”Perhaps we could travel to the other side of this forest and then stop for a while again before entering the tunnels,” Aniceth suggested, while gazing at the horizon. He was not able to see the end of the forest from where they were standing, but he did see how the walls on both sides of him curved down before they disappeared behind the mushrooms, which made him think it would take at least a day to reach the border.

”I surely would not mind,” Angwar approved. ”Irighal stretches far and wide. We can make some good progress even if we stay within the forest for another rest.”

They walked through the mushroom forest, admiring the amazing beauty of the flourishing wildlife, something that was almost surreal contrast against the cold stone environment. Nothing bothered them along the way, the quiet purl of the narrow streams together with dance of the Nearks sustained the unreal feeling of this dreamland through the entire day.

Aniceth gave another pinch of bluedust to Angwar. He had a good amount left of it still, but he could not help thinking what would happen if it ran out. The idea of being left alone in Everdeep was dreadful, the possibility of having to slay a friend was even worse, but if that day ever came he should be prepared to do what was required. Deep in his thoughts he knew that once the symptoms would begin to torture the Darfin, he would be grateful for the act of mercy. Aniceth whispered a prayer every single day, wishing that they would reach Othrond safely in time, and that they really would have some kind of an antidote for the bluedust fungus.

The Darfin walked beside his companion, allowing his mind to wander off. He was grateful beyond words to this strange man walking next to him for the sweet taste of freedom again. Without Aniceth's help they would have never made it this far, but at the same time he could not avoid thinking of what would happen in Othrond. After all, Aniceth was an Arathan, the arch enemy of his people. Nothing could change or remove that fact. This alliance and friendship had spawned from dire necessity, but one day that necessity would cease to exist - in one way or the other. After long years of enmity between the Darfins and the Arathans, it would be an extremely difficult task to convince the Darfins of his home city to welcome this dark ally. Angwar wanted to believe it was possible somehow, but if he was honest to himself, he had to admit the chance was very slim.

Angwar glanced at his friend and smiled to himself. He simply had to put his trust in fate and believe that things worked out somehow. He was determined to do anything to make it work. A companion like Aniceth deserved a fair chance.

Grunting to himself, Angwar shook off the bad thoughts and turned his focus back at the beauty of the glowing forest.

They stopped to fill their food supply with fish, mushrooms and some root vegetables before entering the dark tunnels again. Irighal Forest was very generous, and they did their best to take full advantage of its resources. There was no guarantees to find another place along the way that would come even close to this magical forest.