Chapter 6, (Not yet named.)

Chapter 61

“It’s getting very dark, could we stop to sleep?” asked Dineth.2

Startled by the sound of Dineth’s voice, Thain nearly fell off his horse. 3

“Uh… alright,” he said. 4

Thain climbed down from his horse and looked around. He saw a small cave jutting out from the side of a large mountain. He recognized it at once. 5

He led his horse into the cave, and then called to Dineth. 6

Dineth did not approve of the sight of the cave, slowly she climbed down from her horse and looked inside. She could not see the back wall of the cave. A shiver of fright crawled down Dineth’s spine. Reluctantly she entered the small cave. She watched Thain walk the two horses over to a tree near the entrance of the cave. 7

A large rock from the mountain hung over the entrance like a large roof. Thain walked inside the cave and listened to the steady beat of a distant horse. 8

“Do you hear that?” said Thain. 9

Dineth looked around the cave. She walked toward the opening and sat down.10

“Yes, I hear it. I’m not- Oh look at the stars!” said Dineth. 11

There was a hint of excitement in her voice. She stood up and walked outside. 12

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out. Slowly she turned her head toward Thain and smiled.  She walked back inside the cave and tried to find the Cloth travel bag she had brought in. 13

“It is extremely dark in here, do you by chance have a lamp with you?” she asked Thain, who had been quietly sharpening a stick with his carving knife14

He looked over to her and sighed. 15

“Even if I had a lamp, I have not oil nor flint.” He said simply. 16

He turned and continued his carving.17

Dineth knelt to the ground and felt the floor for her travel bag. 18

“I can’t find my bag, Thain Help me find it,” said Dineth.19

Thain tossed something back at Dineth. It landed directly on her lap. 20

“Oh, here it is,” Dineth said softly. 21

She fumbled through the things in her bag before letting out a loud sigh. She set her bag down and looked around again. 22

“I do not think this cave is the best place to stay. How do you know this cave is safe? It’s very dark and damp,” said Dineth.23

“It has been safe for many years, that is after I set a trap in it,” Thain boasted.  24

“Well, I don’t like it. Even if you did set- The horse! It’s stopped,” said Dineth. 25

There was a slight quiver in her voice. Thain stood up. He backed up inside the cave and held his carving knife out in a defensive position. 26

“Thain?” someone called out. “Is that you?” 27

Thain walked over to the entrance and looked out.  There standing in the moonlight was Aven. She jumped off her horse and walked inside the cave. 28

“Why did you come back?” Thain asked. 29

Aven pulled something out of a small bag hanging from her belt. It was a piece of flint and an oil lamp. She handed the lamp to Thain then stooped down on the cold cave floor and picked up a handful of twigs. Then, Aven struck the flint against the side of the cave. The sparks fell and caught fire on the twigs. She carefully gave Thain the flint and took the oil lamp. She held the burning twigs to the small wick sticking out of the lamp. As if it were magic, the wick caught fire and light flooded the cave. 30

The cave was very small. Stalactites dangled dangerously from the ceiling of the cave. Surprisingly there were no bats that clung to the top of the cave. It seemed almost deserted. 31

Aven set the lamp on the floor and sat down next to it. Thain and Dineth did the same, both with puzzled looks on their face. 32

Aven sighed, “The fighting grows ever stronger.”33

“Is Hermle alright?” asked Thain. 34

“Yes, luckily the damned beasts haven’t tried to attack his village yet, I spoke to Hermle about the night elf bracelet,” she said softly, “he said it could help.”35

Thain looked down at his pocket, a glimpse of light shot out. Thain stuck his hand in his pocket and twisted the bracelet through his fingers. 36

“How could it help, Aven?” 37

“…I do not trust these mountains, rugged and dark they are, full off hidden passages. Who knows what lurked in the gloom of the Kende Mountains. I will not utter a word of it here.” she said quietly.38

Aven stood up and walked to the entrance of the cave, she looked at the storm hanging above them. 39

The misty clouds rumbled and crashed. The light from the lamp flickered as a large gush of wind wiped the trees furiously.40

“How did you know where we were?” asked Dineth suddenly. 41

“I heard you fussing,” Aven said grimly. “That is after I saw Thain’s horse.”42

Dineth glared at Aven then looked down toward the small oil lamp. 43

It was a glass bottle that was perched on a small medal stand. The bottle was half way filled with green oil. A dirty wick stuck out of the top of the bottle. There was a small knob at the bottles rim, which you would use to make the wick longer or shorter.44

“We will leave at dawn,” Aven said. 45

Thain nodded in agreement. He looked outside; the rain had come at last. It pounded on the roof of the cave. A curtain of rain drops blanketed the forest. The clouds crashed and rolled, making the sound of a great army marching down a steep hill, dressed in sturdy suits of armor. Long bolts of lightning tore down at the land, each bold looked like a giant root extending down from the heavens with incredible force, the sudden booms and flashes kept Aven, Thain, and Dineth completely away for the rest of the night.46

Dineth didn’t dare speak to Aven. Something about Aven scared her.  Maybe it was because Aven was a warrior, had she no feelings besides anger? Or maybe it was because Aven was tough and spoke her mind. (These were qualities Dineth lacked) Dineth stared at the sword hanging from Avens scabbard, and shuddered, “how could a lady own such a dreadful thing,” she thought. 47

Sitting at the opening of the cave, Aven watched the eastern sky intently. She was eagerly waiting for dawn.48

© Lauren Carpenter 200549

My Hidden Life50