Page 35 of Quest

“Because I get them too.” His confession only strengthened the thread binding my heart to his. “Despite having lived in darkness for so long, it’s not something one should ever grow accustomed to, nor can we ignore the scars it left upon us. It’s especially understandable that cursed time weighs upon your mind now, considering we’re currently embarking on a quest to destroy its lingering tendrils, distracting our focus from the light we’re blessed to have finally returned.”

As if in response to his words, a thin black cloud drifted across the sky, dimming the light as it passed over the moon. I glanced around the darkened garden. Though we had broken past the curse’s efforts to keep us from reaching this place, I sensed it had not given up yet.

The cloud moved slowly past until the moon shone at full strength once more, illuminating my work area. The prince finally noticed the scroll lying nearby. We leaned over the ancient scroll spread between us, its edges worn by the hands of countless seekers that had come before.

My fingers lightly brushed over the cryptic words. “I’ve been able to reveal the next part of the enchanted script but unfortunately I’m at a loss. This next riddle seems to delve deeper into myth than botany; flames and caverns aren't exactly my area of expertise.”

I felt embarrassed by the admission, afraid that any shortcoming in my knowledge would disappoint him when he’d sought my help in this quest for my experience.

Prince Darcel leaned closer without any sign of judgment or condemnation. “In the belly of the world, under stone skies long unturned, find the fire that never dies, where ancient wisdom burned.” His gaze was intense as he pondered. “I wonder if this is referring to a literal place containing ancient knowledge, or one merely symbolic.”

“Other than a library, which location could possibly be metaphoric for wisdom?” I asked.

He considered a moment. “In the belly of the world, under stone skies long unturned…caves are often at the heart of old legends and rituals. This particular one might be significant not just for its geological features, but its representation—such as a place found in a legend where it was a source of continuous knowledge or enlightenment.”

We discussed it at length until the first light of dawn filtered through the garden. I was impressed by Prince Darcel’s insight, as well as the adorable glint that lit his expression as he assembled all the pieces of his whirling strategic thoughts to pinpoint a specific location.

“Under stone skies long unturned…that could refer to one of the ancient cave systems known for their extensive subterranean networks. There’s a part in one in particular where the ceiling resembles ’stone skies long unturned’ due to the crystals embedded into the rock that reflect any light, formations similar to a starry night.”

His words sparked a connection in my mind based on years of working with heat and flame to brew potions. “I wonder ifthe fire that never diesmight refers to something that’s been burning for ages, whether due to magic or natural geological processes. Such sites are often considered sacred, and thus will have legends or ancient wisdom associated with them.”

Since this was a challenge created for those with a vast herbalist knowledge, I sorted through all the stories I’d ever read for one that might fit the circumstances outlined in this clue, but there was such a vast array of them I didn’t know where to begin.

Even without sufficient information to narrow it down, Prince Darcel not only didn’t seem discouraged, but a spark of excitement lit his eyes. “There’s a cave system to the north known askokumin no ana, or ’the belly of the world’, just is as referred to in the riddle. It’s fabled to house a chamber where natural gas seeps through fissures in the rock, maintaining a flame that never dies. Surely we’ll find what we’re looking for somewhere in its vast network of tunnels.”

His description painted a vivid picture—I could almost see the flame serving as a steadfast guardian of the depths, a symbol of unending knowledge and spiritual guidance. “If it’s the caves I’m thinking of, then our next destination is north.” Despite the uncertainties that awaited the trek, I felt a surge of anticipation for the adventure ahead.

Prince Darcel’s expression sobered. “Considering the geography of that region, we should be prepared for a different kind of challenge: navigating underground terrain will be perilous, and the flame itself is likely to be fiercely guarded—not just by the cave’s natural dangers, but possibly by enchanted remnants of its sacred past.”

If it was anything like the protection that had hidden the enchanted garden containing the moonsilver herb, I imagined there would be another similar test guarding the eternal flame that would challenge my herbal knowledge.

I felt a prickle of wariness, considering my studies hadn’t covered the northern geography of Lumeria in as much depth as the landscape closest to my apothecary. The doubts that constantly waited in the wings of my thoughts for the earliest opportunity to assault me stirred, only kept at bay by remembering Prince Darcel’s earlier reassurances, his belief in my capabilities that strengthened my faith in myself.

As we rolled the scroll, I felt a surge of gratitude for Prince Darcel’s intellect as well as his ability to interpret and strategize that had turned my previous doubt into a clear path forward. The last of the night fully melted away, drawing our shared night watch to a close.

Prince Darcel convinced me to rest while he took the remainder of the watch. I lay back on my makeshift bed of moss and stone, but despite my exhaustion sleep felt elusive, my frantic heartbeat not sufficiently recovered from the prince’s presence or the hours we’d spent together to relax.

Despite the barrier of the prince’s platonic feelings created by my disguise there was an undeniable connection between us—tenuous and fraught with potential complications, but real. This small comfort was enough to eventually allow me to drift into a restless sleep, a rest free from the nightmare that had previously plagued my night. Instead I passed the night with pleasant dreams of what might be if Prince Darcel and I could share all our secrets should my illusion fade away, allowing him to finally see me as my true self.

CHAPTER 15

It took several days to reach the cave rumored to house the eternal flame. The terrain grew increasingly treacherous as we journeyed—thick underbrush and twisted vines obscured the narrow path, while the dense canopy above stifled the light, casting deep shadows that flickered almost sinisterly, as if they were living remnants of the darkness that once enfolded the land, determined to thwart us.

A sudden crack echoed through the forest, and a thick branch came crashing into our path. I jolted to a stop, my pulse quickening. As the dust settled, I noticed an eerie sheen clinging to its surface—a murky black substance that oozed along the bark like a stain of corruption. Darcel crouched beside it, running a cautious hand just above the surface without touching it. By his grim expression, it was yet another sign of the cursed decay lingering in the land. I winced as I noticed the trees along our path; innumerable leaves were edged with black, curling with death.

The landscape eventually shifted from dense forest to rocky terrain. Kael took the lead, me and Prince Darcel close behind, with Sir Jiang bringing up the rear, our eyes scanning for any sign of the cavern’s entrance. We carefully navigated the sharp cliffs and loose stones, the slick ground beneath us a treacherous mix of mud and wet leaves that made every measured step precarious.

Despite my meticulous attention as we traversed a particularly narrow ledge overlooking a precipitous drop, a loose stone underfoot suddenly shifted beneath my weight. My foot slipped, sending a cascade of small rocks clattering down the cliffside. In an instant I lost my balance, my body careening sideways. My hands grasped futilely at the air as I slid down the mountainside, my body dangerously close to tumbling into the abyss below.

Before panic could fully seize me, Prince Darcel reacted swiftly, lunging after me without a moment’s hesitation. One strong hand clamped around my arm with an ironclad grip, the strength in his pull unyielding, while the other gripped the crumbling edge of the path. With a determined yank, he halted my descent, pulling me towards him and away from the gaping void.

But before he could drag both of us back up, another rock gave way and we tumbled down together, frantically grasping for handholds until our feet hit something solid. We scrambled to find footing on a narrow, precarious ledge that jutted out partway down the cliff’s face. This scant refuge—barely wider than a footpath—pressed against the mountain side, offered a temporary haven from the sheer drop, allowing us a moment to catch our breath.

He instinctively positioned himself between me and the edge and met my eyes, his gaze intense with concern. “Are you alright, Ren?” The relief surrounding the name of my disguise anchored me back to who I was supposed to be and the precarious reality we faced.

I couldn’t answer, my entire focus eclipsed by how closely we stood—the firm lines of his body pressed securely against mine, as well as the safety from the protective cage his arms created, shielding me from another fall. With a whimper I squeezed my eyes shut and instinctively burrowed myself against him.

He stiffened uncomfortably and awkwardly patted my shoulder. “It’s alright,” he said gently. “I’ve got you.” In the lingering fear from our near fall I didn’t even care about how such a gesture could be perceived or the awkwardness brought by my vulnerability, too desperate for the steadiness Prince Darcel’s presence created.

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