Discovery: Through the Woods

While Jarvis dabbed his forehead, the rough bark dug into the small of his back. After stealing a few precious moments, he shoved the damp cloth into his pocket as he hustled through his people and chased down their guide. When he reached the dwarf, Jarvis caught the stout warrior’s shoulder. “Ferrek, how much further do we have to go?” Hearty laughter exploded from the guide’s mouth as his head twisted. “We’re closer than the last time you asked. However, if you’re not as hearty as you claimed, we can take another break.” “No,” Jarvis said between ragged gasps. He pressed his palm against his chest as his head whipped about, searching the endless trees. “I’ll be fine.” “Provided you survive,” Ferrek said, clapping Jarvis’s side, “you should add exercise into your busy day.” As Jarvis’s knees wobbled, he leaned against a nearby tree. With raucous laughter, Ferrek spun around and continued marching through the forest. As the dwarf wove through the trunks, Jarvis plucked his canteen from his belt and swallowed several gulps. Once the water tumbled down his throat, he wiped his mouth and hustled after the guide. As he crested the hill, a stout hand slapped Jarvis’s stomach. “What was that for?” “Look down,” Ferrek said, pointing at the ground. Squinting his eyes, Jarvis stepped away from the fissure splitting the ground before his boots. He shook his head and inched toward the chasm. “Where do we go from here?” The dwarven guide lifted his hands as his grin tugged at his cheeks. “Patience, Jarvis, there’s a twisting path that leads directly to the bottom of this cliff and the entrance to our home. It’s good that you got your second wind. The climb down will be taxing.” “After you.” With a nod, the guide spun around and marched along the cliff’s edge. When the dwarf reached a gnarled tree, he spun around it and followed the trail as it bent around the cliff face. When they reached the bottom of the cliff, Ferrek clapped Jarvis’s back. “Cheers, you and your friends are the first outsiders allowed inside our halls.” With a nod, Jarvis took another pull from his canteen. “Thanks for the honor.” Ferrek gestured toward the far wall of stone and bowed. “Your courage in battle earned you the right to face our king.” Jarvis’s hand quivered as he grabbed Fenton and pointed at the intricate stonework opposite them. “Can you see that?” “It’s a little hard to miss,” Fenton said as he pulled himself free from Jarvis’s grasp. Jarvis shook his head and rubbed the feeling back into his legs before he resumed chasing after his guide. Silently, their group passed through the massive archway, and the solid stone doors sealed behind them. The torches lining the walls shone brightly, reflecting off the gold and silver inlays. “Your hall could withstand a siege, Ferrek.” “It’s sufficient for our needs.” Fenton cleared his throat as his head swiveled to take in everything he could...