Because of their powers, Willow and Piranha led the pack. Sharp’s determination and long legs were enough to keep up. I was always behind.
As we reached the middle of the mountain, Piranha slowed down to talk to me. The character charm dangling from their earlobe was a circular ruby, capturing the sunlight with every subtle movement. “Have you ever been to Summit Town? There’s so much to do! Lots of incredible shops and sights!”
“Of course I have! Do you think I’m that much of a homebody?” I said defensively, fidgeting with my own charm, a clear bead on a delicate silver chain.
“That’s not what I meant,” they said, slipping an arm around my shoulder, “but out of curiosity, how far have you traveled from Pantmawr?”
My answer caught in my throat. Pir knew me well enough to reel me into a rhetorical trap.
“I've, uh, been to Padlok…”
“You are a homebody,” they teased, whipping their arm back. “All those Valley villages are the same. But there’s nothing wrong with liking where you’re at. What a blessing to have a safe and constant place to call home, don’t you think?”
The sentiment was so genuine I was at a loss for words. They continued, “Regardless, my freckled friend, you’re overdue for a little adventure. Let’s cross our fingers that something goes wrong.”
“Don’t you mean ‘goes right’?”
“No.” Pir shook their head. “My mother used to tell me that it was good luck to pray for bad luck. She said bad luck was just a good experience in disguise.”
As if summoned by the idea of bad luck, Willow landed in front of us, feathery hair sticking out in many directions. He placed his hands together and closed his eyes. “You’ll be happy to hear that your favorite agent of mischief happens to have a plan up his sleeve once we reach Summit Town.”
Sharp, about twenty feet ahead, stopped in her tracks and swiveled around. “You think I can’t hear you? No schemes this time Willow! We’re on a mission!”
We started to laugh, but her serious grimace didn’t change as she approached us. “I’m dead serious you ridiculous nomad. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you about the last time you had a plan, since it’s the reason we have to go on this trip in the first place!” The map papers rustled in front of his face.
His charming smile glittered. “You walk pretty fast for someone with a stick up their butt. Seriously Sharp. Lighten up.”
She moved, and Willow hopped ten feet in the air, dodging what would have been a devastating kick below the belt.
“Too slow!” He flipped and landed behind Piranha and me, pulling us together to make an impromptu shield.
“Dirty cur!” she spat.
“Hold on, here me out!” He stepped out, hands up in surrender. “Once I tell you the plan, I guarantee all of you will agree, even you Sharp. It doesn’t break any laws, nor does it involve any danger, I promise. It’s a rope swing plan!”
She lowered her guard, pulling her hands away from her sword hilts. Years ago, Willow had the idea of securing a rope swing from the branch of a large and sturdy tree that hung over the Pantmawr Lake. Sharp warned him about the potential dangers involved, but within an hour of securing it, we were having so much fun, every kid from the Valley came by to try. Half the town was at the lake by the end of the day, jumping in the water, singing, and sharing food. By then, Sharp was in such great spirits, she even went as far as calling Willow a genius.
She put a hand on her hip, tapped the jeweled end of one of her swords with a fingernail, and then sighed in defeat. “Alright I’m listening. But this better be good.”
The three of us leaned forward, ready and waiting to hear his plan.
Chapter Four
At The Summit
Summit Town was on a long stretch of road at the top of the mountain. About a mile outside of it, the red dirt path transitioned to a flat road paved with translucent stones, glittering in magic sunlight.
“We’re close!” Sharp walked backwards, drumming a slow beat with her bone-blades. The temptation of fun was exactly what we needed to endure the last hours of our hike.
The Endless Mountains were home to thousands of caves and caverns to explore, most of them lined with plentiful, colorful crystals. The buildings used these crystals as a main staple of their architecture, creating one of the most beautiful places on the entire continent. The shops were made of iridescent crystal pillars, and the windows full of glittering products of all sorts. In the center square was a fountain made from fine, blue crystal, shimmering like it was made of water.
“It’s even more amazing than I remember!” exclaimed Piranha. The lights made their dark face a swirl of purples and greens.
“And it's crowded.” Willow tapped a thumb on his chin, appraising the intricate carving on the fountain. “Perfect.”
I jostled his shoulders. “I know you’re excited but we should get some grub and check into a room first.”
When he smiled, I pictured the blue light of his soul growing brighter. “Good call! I know just the spot!”
A plethora of restaurants populated the town, but the place Willow brought us was unnamed and located under a shop selling crystal glassware. No one else was there except the owner, a woman Of-the-Mountains who greeted Willow like an old friend. She led us to a cozy corner table and brought out a complimentary round of sweet sun-wine in crystal goblets.
Sharp took a tentative sip, smiled deliriously, and gave Willow a jovial push. “How do you know someone everywhere we go? I swear you’re friends with half the continent.”
He shrugged, trying to make the rim of the glass sing. “There’s nothing to it really, I just talk to people. Learn their name. Ask a question. Instant friend!”
He dove into a few rambling stories about the other friends he had made in his travels, including one about a man from Padlok who taught him how to set a trap in a river. The owner interrupted his tale with steaming plates of uncommonly fat mountain hen, dressed in a crispy, spicy honey glaze, complemented by a plate of hot buttery rolls and smoky roasted vegetables. We talked and laughed until the dishes were empty.
“Long trip? You kids were awfully hungry!” The owner observed, stacking the plates on her arm.
“Yes, and we're just getting started! My buddy Badger here…” Willow pinched my cheek but I slapped his hand away. “Ow! I mean this jerk here is going to the Wilds to meet his godfather and such. We’re all tagging along for the laughs!”
Her smile vanished. “The Wilds? Now? Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Sharp shot me a quick, tense glance before blinking innocently at our host. “Sorry, Ms. Cherry, but what do you mean? Is there something going on?”
She frowned and pushed a piece of straw-colored hair behind her ear. “I meet many travelers from the Wilds, and they tell me the border around the Deep Dark is growing more volatile each year. Rumor has it King Obsidian is dying, so the clans are fighting about succession. It’s mostly gossip, but I’ve been doing this long enough to pick up on patterns. Just be careful out there.”
