Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

space before fanning out scouring the rock for any hint or sign. At first glance, there were no marks to be found; the natural faces of the rocks appeared undisturbed.

“There was no mention of where the sign would be, just that it would mark the path?” Deyalou said. “That's a convenient riddle.”

“Is it possible that the signs have been worn off by the elements over the cycles?” Dav inquired.

“It's more than likely,” Nielix said spitefully. “Yet I can’t believe that the ones who can make magical doors to conceal a tunnel would merely scratch an arrow into the rock to point their way.”

Ryl paused his cursory search for a carved sign, eying the Vigil with understanding.

“I have to admit, I agree with Nielix,” Ryl admitted, as his eyes returned up the pathway they'd just exited. An idea surged into his head.

“Vox, come with me,” he said hurriedly. “We’ll be back in a moment.”

The others looked confused as Ryl and the phrenic elementalist hastened back up the pathway. They worked their way through the stones until the exit to the weathered labyrinth was in sight. The rock face that held the hidden door to the tunnel towered in front of them. Ryl stopped as the familiar feeling of the lingering magic tugged at his senses.

“Do you feel that, Vox?” Ryl asked. “Do you feel the call of the magic, the illusion that hides that door?”

“From this far away, I feel nothing,” Vox admitted, shaking his head. “I need to be closer to feel it.”

“Are the others as in tune with the feeling as you?” Ryl quizzed.

“Not that I've ever been made aware of,” Vox explained. “As you know, their specialties focus on the physical sect.”

“Come then,” Ryl said with a smile as he moved back toward the group. “I think I know how to find our sign.”

Chapter 46

The others were still searching the rocks of the pathway when Ryl and Vox rejoined the group. Having been raised with similar magic guarding the entrance to their hidden city from the world, the Vigil nodded their heads in approval as Ryl offered his theory. Andr simply stood smiling, his arms folded across his chest.

Ryl, with Ramm in tow, chose the path that led to the right. Vox and Kaep moved down the path that veered toward the left. Deyalou remained with Andr and the Vigil.

The path he'd chosen was narrow, and the hulking phrenic following at his rear grunted as he squeezed through an exceptionally thin crevice. Moments later, Ryl felt the hint of the magic tugging at his senses. The feeling grew stronger as they moved onward until it reached a throbbing crescendo shortly before the next intersection.

Ryl surveyed the rocks along the wall for any signs of disturbance, yet all appeared to be the product of natural weathering. He stepped back, tilting his head up, scanning the jagged rocks above his head. Stepping back, the heel of his foot sunk into a small depression in the ground. Compared to the feel of the hard-packed earth between the windswept crevices, the object was startlingly spongy.

He fell to his knees feverishly sweeping the sand from the shallow depression. Buried in the earth and covered with a thick layer of sand was a small circular stone, clearly manufactured and installed there by hand. The magic inside the stone throbbed in his ears.

“Ramm, call the others,” Ryl said. “We've found our path.”

The phrenic smiled as he hastened back to the group. It wasn't long before Ryl heard the sounds of their approach. After exposing his find, the group again set off in a single file line. At each intersection, Ryl and another would venture off a short distance down the paths. Now that he understood what he was looking for, the process became relatively simple, albeit time consuming.

The position of the sun was hidden from their view inside the fractured peaks of The Crags, yet from the darkening sky above, they knew night was fast approaching. With relative ease they found an offshoot of the proper path that ended in a small hollowed out dead end. Necessitating a defense from only one narrow avenue of approach was a comfort that none had experienced since entering the tunnel under the Haven Mountains. Nevertheless, two were stationed on guard throughout the night.

Their supplies had been all but exhausted. Their bellies ached from the reduced rations they'd been forced to subsist upon. Even with the addition of their fallen companion’s supplies, their stock wouldn't last more than another few meals.

There had been no time to grieve the loss of Ceado. Though the path from The Crags had been discovered, another large piece of the journey almost complete, the mood was dour. Few words were exchanged as they settled in for the night, with weapons rested close at hand. The singing of the wind rushing through the narrow rocky crevices provided the melody that sang them to sleep.

Morning found them refreshed and ready to move. Their uninterrupted slumber was blissfully absent of the pervasive fear of the unseen creatures lurking in the deep. The rest had done wonders for their ailing bodies. Ryl quickly resumed the task of leading the party through the zigzagging path in the maze of jagged rock.

The day dragged slowly on. It was hours later, after crawling through an especially precarious section of rock, that Ryl spied the first glimpse of the forest spreading out before them. The serrated pathway of rock widened several meters ahead of him. Staggered spires of sharp stone were spaced apart, spreading out across the land between them and the forest. Several of the rock towers had toppled over from the relentless abuse of the wind and splotches of green grass dotted the barren landscape. Only a few hundred meters in the distance the forest rose from the earth, a wall of green against the drab plant-less terrain.

Ryl dusted off his pants and cloak as he waited for the remainder of his companions. Andr stopped alongside,