Let’s go! – said Acres and moved into the darkness.
– Is it long? – asked Iziro.
– We didn’t even reach the border with the empire, and it goes a bit further, – said one of the smugglers leading a herd of horses.
Rein looked at Wel, smiled, and nodded slightly when Wel noticed him and went into the cave.
– Let’s go, – said the robust smuggler.
And they all went into the long and dark cave. When everyone entered, Wel, standing outside the cave, said:
– Hey, Izi, you’ll need this.
And he threw a torch he had lit to Iziro, then started closing the entrance by moving the stone block back.
– Will it be enough for him? – asked Iziro.
– It’s better to move faster, – the boy replied.
Iziro illuminated the low cave, which seemed to extend into absolute darkness in the distance. Then everyone moved forward straight into the unknown.
CHAPTER 5 “SOARING MOUNTAIN”
After half a day, the long journey through the cave known as Rabbit Hole was completed. Ahead, the first glimpses of light appeared.
“Why hasn’t anyone sealed off this cave from this side?” one of the smugglers asked.
“I think they’ve never been in these caves themselves,” another replied. “Finding them here is not easy.”
“There are plenty of entrances on this side of the cave, and only one on the other side, which is closed. Even if they did find it, they probably wouldn’t figure out where to go,” said a robust smuggler. “Not knowing where these caves lead, you don’t know if they pose a danger.”
They emerged in a dense forest. Birds were singing, and crickets chirped. It was getting dark, and something came into view in the distance.
“So, we are in the Kingdom of Floating Mountains,” Miri said with a smile, looking around.
“I can’t believe it… These are the Legendary Floating Mountains,” said Rein.
“A Reydarian who has never seen the Floating Mountains,” Akras said, smiling. “That’s amusing!”
“Mountains are just mountains,” the robust one said.
“Beautiful… You’re wrong! Seeing them again and again, time after time, I never cease to admire them,” Miri retorted.
Rein went to his horse, which was tied to a small column of horses.
“Well, how are you, my friend?” Rein asked his horse. “Isn’t the local company getting on your nerves?”
Rein began to untie him from the common tether.
“Well, finally, freedom!” said the man leading the horses through the cave. “The air is fresh!”
Iziro approached Rein and asked, “So, ready?”
“Almost,” Rein replied. “I just don’t understand which way to Aeris.”
“How do we get to Aeris from here?” Iziro asked loudly.
“We’re all going there!” the robust one said.
“Since you’re our escorts, then escort us!” Akras said, smiling.
Rein clearly got angry again and said, “You’ve long understood that the escort is over as soon as we left the cave. And now, please, don’t let us down and fulfill the agreement at least once in your life.”
“Go that way!” Akras said, pointing towards a massive floating mountain. “Behind that gigantic mountain is Aeris. However, it’s faster for everyone to go the same way. Since we agreed to part ways, but we’re all going there, it means we’ll go first, and you follow us. If you don’t want to keep meeting along the way, of course.”
“Why are you leading the way again?” Rein asked. “Planning to betray me once more?”
“There are more of us!” the robust one said. “We go first!”
“Let them go!” Iziro said. “We don’t need unnecessary conflicts.”
“Why are you always on their side?” Rein asked Iziro.
“What do you want? To overpower them all? Cut someone’s head off?” Iziro replied. “Maybe just support instead of unconditionally taking their side every time. You belittle us in their eyes…” Rein added sadly.
“You definitely have self-control issues. You’re overly aggressive all the time. Your anger rules you, not your reason. That’s your problem,” Iziro stated.
Meanwhile, the group of smugglers moved forward into the depths of the forest towards Aeris.
“You talk as if I was wrong, and he doesn’t want to betray us…” Rein said, rolling his eyes like a little girl.
“Whether you’re right or he is doesn’t matter,” Iziro responded.
“Fine… Then tell me. Explain what you think is important and why, because I simply don’t understand you,” Rein said.
Iziro pondered, looked at the sun, and said, “Let’s make a camp! We’ll set out in the morning. I think if Aeris is beyond that mountain, the journey won’t be a short one.”
Rein, still not hearing explanations, interpreted the silence as irony. Some time later, Rein gathered firewood, and Iziro gathered leaves and berries.
“Where’s the game?” Rein asked indignantly.
“You’ll be on a diet until Aeris,” Iziro replied. “Consider it the beginning of your training.”
“What training?” Rein asked in surprise.
“You wanted explanations, right? You’ll get them! But first, we need to fill your cup,” Iziro replied.
Seeing plants instead of food, it was hard for Rein to contain his anger, but he held on as best he could.
“Well, that’s fine,” Rein said somewhat sarcastically. “Training… Interesting. Maybe you’ll explain something at least…”
Iziro and Rein set up tea and food from a set of various herbs cooking on the fire.
“Do you want me to explain what usually takes a long time to learn? In normal circumstances, such training needs to be earned before grasping it,” Iziro said. “I wouldn’t say you’ve earned it, but in your case, your behavior and lack of skills could hinder the accomplishment of our most important mission, so I will teach you. And mind you, it will be difficult! You expressed the desire yourself!”
Iziro stood up, closed his eyes, and folded
