NOVEL WEB Chapter 20 : Conviction
Chapter XX : Conviction
Latenight of Primoris, Second Day of Autumnmoon
Bram and Kane spent the night ascending the network of caves inside the Ur mountain range. They ran into many nocturnal species along the way, the kind that usually inhabited dark places: gorm, cave larvae, millipods, and other fierce creatures. Though none were a match for two seasoned warriors. A single slice of a Gnostic’s venomous blade or stab of a Royal’s icy spear dispatched these nuisances easily.
Both were expert trackers, but progress through the cavern was slow. It took time to maneuver the viscars through tight spaces and up steep passageways. Meanwhile, elevated temperatures raised concerns, and a dense fog rolled across the floor, limiting visibility. The Knight found the humid air stifling through his thick, black armor.
Kane waved to get Bram’s attention. “Don’t you feel it? A draft! It means we’re close to the surface.”
Bram felt it, too. “Let’s hope you’re right.”
By now, the two had veered far off course of their mission. And with each step, Bram felt more inclined to turn around. If the end was near, he would press on. He just hoped whatever they found there was worth it.
The path led into a wide open cavern, populated by a forest of waxy stalagmites. Droplets fell from a ceiling obscured by fog, creating plinks and planks upon hitting unseen pools. A tranquil melody rang throughout the cavern, accompanied by whistles of hot air passing through fissures in the rock.
Bram passed by a spring of boiling water and put all the pieces together. He and Kane had entered some kind of geothermal core. Supposedly, the Ur mountain range had been created millennia ago by a chain of volcanos, but they were supposedly dormant. It was a scientific discovery, to be sure, but one that required great care. Hazards were everywhere, and even a casual misstep could be life threatening, especially for the steeds.
“This feels like a mistake,” he reasoned. “These caves could go on for leagues, taking us farther off course. Not even the discovery of an Ashingi tribe can make up for the time we’re losing.”
“Come on,” Kane challenged, “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Bram scoffed. “Have you forgotten why we’re on this mission?”
The Royal stopped dead in his tracks. “You can’t be thinking of turning around now. We’ve come all this way.”
Bram was losing his patience. “We have come far, but not in the right direction. So what if we find evidence of a lost tribe? Our mission is in Kitezh. And the sooner we’re back on track, the better.”
Kane scowled. “You don’t think I know that? What do I look like to you? Some fool?”
Bram looked Kane up and down. “I never said that. What’s gotten into you?” He waved his torch toward the pools of boiling water. “See here? We risk our safety with every step, as well as our mounts. You hear those fissures? These caverns might not even be stable. One wrong move, and we die in a vat of boiling water. And for what?”
Kane averted his eyes. He looked upset.
Bram wondered if his friend was having a tough time adjusting to his new working environment. True, he and Kane were adults, but for all the time they had known each other, they had been boys. As children, Kane was older by two years, which was a huge difference back then. He was like an older brother, the one who led the adventures, serving as mentor and teacher. Certainly, ten years had changed both men. Bram and Kane had matured and now saw the world differently, but the role reversal couldn’t have been easy. Gnostic Knights technically had seniority over Royals, except for the Grandmaster. If Bram ordered Kane to reverse course, his friend would have to obey. But he wouldn’t like it.
Bram sighed. It went against his better judgment, but he knew that Kane needed a win. He deserved the benefit of the doubt, a bit of faith, and the comfort of knowing that he was contributing—not just following.
“Maybe we keep going a bit longer,” Bram suggested.
He saw the intended reaction. The Royal perked up, ever so slightly.
“You said you felt a draft earlier. Let’s see if it gets any stronger up ahead.”
Kane looked relieved. “You sure?”
Bram smiled. “Yeah, a little bit farther, at least. If your intuition is right, you’ll have earned an extra commendation.”
Bram saw a hint of smile creep across Kane’s face. He was glad. The mission depended on teamwork, and he needed to nurse his old friendship back to health. He waved the Royal forward, and Kane followed closely behind; ever upward, through the mountains.