Stardeep_ The Dungeons - Bruce R. Cordell [51]
Raidon held firm to his focus.
On day two, Adrik was telling Raidon about something he referred to as chaomancy, which involved all manner of unfamiliar terms such as strange attractors, resonance islands, and words so foreign they failed to find even a fleeting hold in Raidon's mind. Necalama raised a hand, cutting Adrik off in mid-explanation, and pointed, fitst to the left then to the right.
The monk scanned for threats, but saw only two stone obelisks, one on either side of the faint trail. The obelisks were weathered and provided a home to many shades of green moss, though intricate inscriptions were clearly visible under the living veneer.
Adrik broke off his story, clapped his hands together, and ran to the obelisk on the right. "A Yuirwood rune stone!"
Raidon strangled a sigh before it could shake his focus.
Necalama smiled. He said, "Such things are scattered all through these lands. The work of an elven civilization long gone, but magic yet remains in some of them."
Adtik reached out and gingerly traced an angular inscribed symbol. He said, "Yes-I sense something slumbering. I can't quite make out its purpose…"
Their guide said, "No need for you to trouble yourself-I know their power. These obelisks are bound with enchantments that bend distance, making shortcuts of what would otherwise be long roads."
"A portal?" Adrik stepped back.
The elf waggled his hand, tilting his head to one side. He said, "Close, but not precisely correct. So yes, you might describe it as a portal. Follow me through and you can decide for yourself what you want to call it."
So saying, Necalama strode down the trail. Raidon tensed, waiting for the half-elf to disappear in a flash of smoke or in a sparkle of sttange lights.
Ne'calama passed the invisible line between the two standing stones. And nothing; Necalama walked unconcernedly forward, the stones behind him. The guide remained stubbornly, fully visible. Aftet he moved ten or so feet, he paused and gazed back. "Coming?" he asked, amusement curling his lips.
"It did not work?" inquired the monk.
"Something happened," said Adrik, one hand held forward, palm out. "I sense a discharge of magic, even now."
"Come along-follow me between the stones."
Adrik and Raidon exchanged glances and followed.
Passing through the stones failed to disturb Raidon's equilibrium in the least. He sensed no change in the environment as he walked. The faint trail ahead remained steady, and looking back, he could still see the route they had traveled prior to passing between the stones, without any discontinuity.
The monk decided their guide was having a little fun at their expense. Weren't elves known for such foolishness?
Which meant they still had a few days of travel ahead of them, if their goal was on the western side of the Yuirwood as Necalama earlier indicated. Adrik was mumbling about probability and sliding four-space projections; in other wotds, gibberish.
Ahead, the trail broadened into a real, easily discernable path, almost a road. They passed through a copse of rustling aspens. A breath of sweet air moved through the murmuring aspen leaves, refreshing Raidon's mind and body with an insubstantial touch.
When they emerged from the tiny grove, they found themselves walking down a sun-dappled, leaf-strewn street in a half-elven forest enclave.
"Welcome to Relkath's Foot!" proclaimed Necalama, his arm sweeping across the panorama.
Four majestic conifers towered hundreds of feet from their broad bases, thrusting