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Chapter 23 – Rock on through to the other side

Wil

Evening.

We have so many members in our expedition that I can barely remember the regulars. 

I didn't have much of a chance to talk to the Nems after Jelt interrupted, because soon thereafter the duties of the leader made him unable to spare the time. All the different members of the expedition kept coming to him with all sorts of things. Most of them I didn't recognize.

People in the group occasionally nod their head at me or give me a small smile of recognition. I return the niceties, but I have no idea who they are. I suppose that they are random expeditionary members that I've worked with before. They must remember my face from all the times they've seen me running away from the monsters they were killing.

One of those such anonymous members was coming up to me now, trying to explain something as he did. I have no idea who he is. We have enough members on this expedition that we could count as a small army.

“- you should come, I think he is on to something, it's important.” says the person. I nod reflexively, but in my head I'm just thinking of him as 'person' and wonder if I should bother learning some of the other names. 

I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying in the first place because I didn't know he was even talking to me.

“Thanks.”  He is turning around to leave though in a way that indicates that I'm supposed to follow. I think I will. I'll admit I'm curious that anyone would want to tell me something.

He winds through our temporary shelters and ends up at a rustic looking tent near the edge of our nightly camp.

“He's in there” he points inside as he lifts a flap, the tent is probably only big enough for a couple people, anyway.

Ok. I kind of wish I knew what I was getting into here, but it's a little late to ask for an explanation.

As I duck my head to get through the opening and lift it again squinting due to the dim light. What I wouldn't give for a lightbulb.

Oh, there it is again, a whisper from the past. How long has it been since I've thought about a lightbulb? And all the othe-

Before I have a chance to consider the ramifications of this, I'm interrupted by the other occupant of the tent.

“Wil?” I recognize this dusty voice, it's our quiet scout, Owen.

…

“Yup.” I haven't really talked to Owen, nor do I know the situation, so I don't have much else to say.

“Good. You've already heard?”

My eyes are adjusting now, I can make out Owens face as he's lying down on small bed made for travel. He's not looking like his normal content self, he looks a little pained. Smelling the air, I notice the scent of medicine. Ah.

“A little... you're hurt? Why don't you start from the top.” I reply, hoping to make sense of anything.

“Ya, I got a couple slices. Didn't even see them. Definitely human. I was scouting the usual path through the mountains to Athem, although it's been a while since I've been out in these parts. It wasn't carelessness, they had the drop on me and a few of the other scouts. Kivas got cut right into his neck before we realized anyone was there.”

“Our scouts were attacked? Why would bandits do that, there's no profit in killing scouts.”

“It's as you say, but they weren't bandits. Cuts were too clean, all had the same blades from what I could see. They were military.”

…

So much for us having a small armies worth of people. Who would be attacking our expedition? Up until recently I would have said that the twins have an amazing reputation, and practically no enemies, but now I know differently. This doesn't sound like something the Mages would do, though.

“Okam?” 

“I would say it's a fair chance.”

“No offense, but why are you telling me this? You should take this right to the Twins.”

At this, Owen looks a little offended.

“Of course I already have, I sent one of the others to report. If the twins have questions, they'll come.”

…

I don't feel like apologizing when I'm not even really sure why he's insulted. I'll plead ignorance and barrel through.

“Why did you come get me then? I'm the person who runs around dodging monsters...”

“Yes, that's exactly why I wanted you to come.”

I have a feeling I'm not going to like this.

“Listen, Wil, you're one of the fastest people I've ever seen.” he starts off with praise.

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I have a feeling I'm really not going to like this.

“So when I was thinking about how we can get over the mountain safely, I remembered that there is another path.” he continues on.

Here it comes.

“It just so happens that you're speed is exactly what we need to get through it. It's a path very few can say they've crossed, you'd be the first in a while. You'd be an explorer.”

Owen, for a quiet guy, you're pretty crafty. 

When I first met this bunch of misfits, they all greeted me in their own ways and tried to get a feeling for how useful I was, what my plans were, and if I was planning on betraying them. So I've been asked many times what my goals are. I answered them with two of my top three goals. Number one is of course to be a wizard, but it's not something I want to share.

The other two are to get rich and explore the world. They're honest goals of mine so everyone was satisfied with my answers.

Owen is currently trying to use my goals against me, to probably get me to do something dangerous.

“What do the twins have to say about this path of yours?” I ask skeptically.

“I didn't want to bring it up, in case it wasn't an option. They or the others might pressure you into it otherwise. I don't think it's something you can manage if you're not at your best.” 

I don't know how he keeps sounding like a good person while saying all these enticing things.

“What exactly do I have to do?”

Owen smiles like he caught a critter in one of his traps.

“There are tunnels running all throughout the mountain range. Some are creatures' dens and some are from vigorous mining back when this land was first settled. There is one area in particular that should let us cross to Athem far faster than if we take the normal route winding through the mountains and then back around.”

I can follow so far, Athem is actually quite close to Gol-ta, but because it is surrounded by the thickest part of the mountain range, you usually have to go around, which can take weeks.

“How much faster?”

“We could be in Athem in a day, maybe two.”

Athem is close, but not that close...

“Is the plan for me to carry everyone through the tunnels? Because even with my speed, Athem is way too far for it to take a day or two.”

“No, no, it isn't that. These tunnels are special.” he says patiently. “We need you to act as a Trailblazer so that the rest of the group doesn't get lost.”

“Trailblazer? Why would you need me to lead the group, isn't that the Scout's job?” I still get confused over expedition terminology, but I'm fairly certain I've never heard of a position called a Trailblazer.

“The skills of a scout aren't suited for these tunnels. A Trailblazer used to be popular in expeditions in the past, when different party compositions helped them conquer this land.”

It sounds to me like all the Trailblazers died because they got tricked by Scouts to do the dumb jobs.

“What's so different about these tunnels?” I ask

“They were formed by either an ancient creature or ancient magic, but they are sections of tunnel separated by time. A Trailblazer is one who runs faster than any other. It was a Trailblazer who navigated it successfully the first time.”

Ancient magic? Time? What?

“As far as I've heard, it's possible as long as you're fast enough. I know a few retired Trailblazers that told me about it after having passed through it themselves. It was a test of sorts to prove their worth of the position, as well as a competition to see who could get the fastest time. All it requires is pure speed, and the path is random. After a short period of time has elapsed, the sections of the tunnel will reset themselves to a different point in time, taking anyone inside along with it. Since the magic doesn't trigger unless someone enters the section, and it's random when it does, it's impossible to map out. It can only be crossed if someone is fast enough to enter all the sections from the entrance to the exit before any section resets. The reason it's so short is that there aren't that many sections between the entrance and exit, it should only take a few hours from end to end. I know you can do at least that much, Wil. You might even set a Trailblazer record.” he lectures me barely stopping. He seems awfully excited for a wounded person.

“So, Wil, how about it? Are you in?”

Magic tunnels? My head is spinning from how complicated it sounds, and I'm sure there is more to it, but for now I'm pretty excited.

He doesn't know it, but he had me at 'Magic'.

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