CH5

As the two reached closer to the entrance, they both started to head off in different directions. Realising this, Fenryn called over to Lynnette, “I suppose the traps you came across were that way then? I came from this direction, it means going up the chasm, but if we can avoid the traps it might be worth it.”

Lynnette tilted her head, “you... climbed down the...” she trailed off, then closed her eyes with a sigh. “You know what? Never mind. No wonder you had no issue with traps. I assumed you had merely been lucky, but I guess that explains it all.”

Fenryn rubbed the back of his neck with a laugh. He shrugged a little, then said, “my horse and things are up there, so I'll be going back this way.”

Giving a thoughtful expression for a moment, Lynnette nodded and said, “I have nothing back there, so if you are fine with me coming along a little longer, I'll join you. I'd rather not climb, but if it beats going through those traps again, then I'll take it.”

Fenryn nodded his head, smiling a little. “I would be glad to have company for a little longer.” He said as he showed the woman the way he had taken when entering the catacombs.

As they reached the entrance, the two shielded their faces from the bright sunshine that managed to find its way down into the chasm. Fenryn couldn't tell exactly how late in the day it might be, but he estimated it to be late morning or early afternoon. Climbing the rock-face would take them the best part of the day, or so he assumed.

“I still cannot believe you climbed down here,” Lynnette said with an impressed tone of voice.

“You can go back the other way if you like?” Fenryn said with amusement. “Though it still worries me that there was another entrance to this place. Where did you get in from?” He asked.

Allowing Fenryn to lead the way up the ledges that littered the side of the chasm's side, Lynnette said, “there's an abandoned mausoleum not far from here. The dead started to move after the earthquake, though luckily the place is mostly closed up, so none could get out.”

Fenryn pulled her up onto the next ledge as he listened to her tale. “And there was an entrance there?” He asked.

“Sort of. I think the mausoleum had been built on top of the entrance. I'm not sure if they knew about the catacombs were below the earth, or if the opening was made afterwards, and they blocked it up out of fear. Either way, I realised the cause of the undead was further down.” Lynnette explained.

Fenryn gave the woman's words some thought, then he asked, “but why did it take so long for the undead to start moving about above ground? They'd have been buried a long time ago.”

Shrugging a little as she continued to climb the ledges, Lynnette said, “In all honesty, I couldn't tell you why. I knew our magic differed a little, but I thought it was merely the types of spells that were different, not the method in which they were cast. You see, I thought the old magic, and that used by my

people and the little fae creatures were the same.”

“I see,” Fenryn said as he paused to take a short rest. “Wait. What are fae creatures?” He then asked, a puzzled look on his face.

“Oh,” Lynnette gave a surprised look, “I forgot you human's do not know of them. Well, it makes little difference if you know, but they are the creatures that protect the Lightmist woods.”

Fenryn scratched his head in confusion. He had never heard of such creatures, though it was true that very few people ever travelled far into the woods. The mists were so thick that it was very easy to get lost. Calling the woods Lightmist was rather ironic, really. Though some people did tell tales of strange things happening whenever they got lost. Those who tried to do harm to the elves, or tried to destroy the woods intently ended up forever lost and never seen again, but those who had simply gotten lost while hunting for food, or just admiring the woods, would tell of paths forming in the mist that led them out of the woods to safety.

“So,” Fenryn began curiously, “what are fae, exactly? For all the things I have learned, seen or heard about, they are not among them.”

Lynnette gave a rather thoughtful expression. It was almost as if she had never seen them before either, or at the very least, could not think of a way to describe them. She folded her arms and furrowed her brows in contemplation. Finally, she said, “you know what? I have no idea what they are, or what they look like. I have seen them, yes, most of my kind have. Yet I could not tell you anything about them. It is... quite strange.”

“Magic perhaps?” Fenryn offered. “A way to defend themselves?”

Lynnette tilted her head curiously. She thinned her lips, then said, “perhaps. They are very small creatures, this I can tell you. We often mistook them for butterflies, but no matter how close you are to one, you can never really see them.”

“How strange. I would like to meet one someday. Are they able to communicate with you at all?” Fenryn asked.

Lynnette nodded her head, “Oh yes, they seem able to speak many languages. One even joked at how one little human girl mistook it for a pixie or a fairy and asked it if they could make her fly.”

Fenryn chuckled a little, then smiled at Lynnette. “And I assume that by protecting the woods, you mean the mists?”

Nodding, Lynnette stretched her arms. The climb was taking its toll on her a little, but she still had energy left yet. “Their magic is the same as ours, but according to them, each fae is limited to a certain class of magic. So only certain fae's may control the mists, while others control things like plant growth.”

“So nature magic? I have heard of such skills are rare, even among your people. Correct?” Fenryn asked.

Lynnette nodded once. “We have rested long enough. Let us keep moving.” Lynnette said as she moved to resume the climb up the chasm.

Fenryn sighed quietly. Apparently, Lynnette was done talking about fae and her people's magic. He had hoped she trusted him at least a little by now, but he wasn't going to force the issue. He was merely curious, but he could understand her caution. She probably didn't want him knowing everything about her people, lest he used it against them.

The climb up the chasm took them almost all day. When they finally reached the top the sun had almost gone down. They were exhausted but glad to finally have the worst of it over with.

“I never...” Fenryn began, breathlessly, “...ever want to do that again. Ever.”

Lynnette gave a dry chuckle, “you will jinx yourself again if you keep that up.”

Fenryn gave her a crafty grin, “I can only hope my future involves more adventure.” He said with amusement. Looking around, he frowned a little.

“What?” Lynnette said as she sat on the ground. “Lost something? Silly human.” She teased.

“Actually, yes,” Fenryn said with confusion. “My horse.”

Lynnette laughed loudly, “did you forget to tie it up?”

Fenryn frowned down at her and shook his head. “Of course I didn't forget. I left him right here, and it would be impossible for him to break free on his own.” He insisted, moving to the fallen log that he had tied his horse to.

“Looking for this?” Came a rough voice from within the grove. A large, muscular man with an eyepatch and messy brown hair stepped out from behind a large tree. He led the hazel horse behind him.

“See,” Fenryn said, turning to Lynnette who seemed more worried than he did. “I told you I didn't lose the horse. Bandits had him.”

Lynnette rushed to her feet, “why are you so relaxed about that! Idiot!” She scolded him and moved to draw her sword.

“Now, now, no sudden moves elf girl.” The man said smugly, “my friends here are quite good with the bow and arrow, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to die here.”

Fenryn had his hand upon his sheathed blade as he assessed the situation. “If you're after gold or anything valuable from us, I would hate to disappoint you, but we don't have anything on us.”

“Bandits like you? I may just take my chances.” Lynnette growled at the man as she inched closer to Fenryn. It wasn't as though she wished to protect him, but given the situation, he was the only one she could trust.

The man laughed heartedly, “well at least the servant girl has some fight, eh men?”

“Servant!? I am no human's pet!” Lynnette hissed at the bandit. This only resulted in more laughter from the group that surrounded them, and it infuriated her even more.

“Relax little girl, we're not here for you.” The man said after he had stopped laughing. He turned to Fenryn and held out a dagger to point at him. “Our business is with your pretty boy master there.”

“Pretty?” Fenryn said tilting his head, “I see, you're a fan of my good looks.” He jested, “though what she said is true, she isn't a servant. I'm not sure why you think that. I'm no one important.”

Sighing heavily, Lynnette placed her hand upon her face. “He isn't a fan, idiot.” She moaned. “How do you even survive out here on your own, seriously?”

“With good luck!” Fenryn said grinning at her.

Lynnette groaned loudly in frustration.

“Enough.” The bandit said sharply, “you cannot fool these eyes. I don't know which house you belong to, but it is clear that you're a nobleman's child, and that means you're worth something to someone.”

Fenryn gave the man a blank stare. “You really don't want to do that.” He said with a much more serious voice.

The man smirked at Fenryn, “oh? I think I do. Or rather, my boss will want me to do that. So come along nicely, yes? I would hate to bring back your detached head.”

“No, really....” Fenryn continued, “the only one who would even listen to your request is very scary. You don't want to make him mad!” Fenryn's seriousness faded as quickly as it came, as he pretended to cower in a melodramatic motion.

“Look, I don't care. You can either come quietly, or we can have a bit of fun before dragging your lifeless body back with us. Of course, we cannot guarantee the safety of your female companion if you fight us.” The man smirked, “the men haven't seen a woman in a while, you see.”

“I can not allow you to do that to her,” Fenryn said, frowning deeply. “Though doesn't bringing me back dead, kind of defeat the idea of kidnapping me, to begin with?” He then added, curiously.

“Oh, I won't kill you. Just almost kill you.” The man smirked again. His dagger still pointing at Fenryn. “So what will it be?”

“You honestly think we'd let you do whatever you want?!” Lynnette said sharply as she pointed her sword at the bandit.

Fenryn held up a hand to her and shook his head. “Don't hurt yourself on my account. If they wanted to harm me, they'd have done it by now. Besides, you don't know me, so it would pain me if anything happened just because you chose to keep me company for such a short time.”

Lynnette frowned at him. “But you cannot just go with them,” she said with worry hidden within her voice.

Fenryn seemed a little unsure as he replied with, “I'll be fine... maybe.”

The lack of assurance from Fenryn did not sit well with Lynnette, and she eyed him carefully.

“I cannot in good consciousness allow you to hurt yourself because of me.” He said again, not taking his eyes off of the bandit leader. “Besides, we are surrounded. He wasn't lying about that. Any wrong move and you will end up full of arrows.”

“But...” Lynnette began.

Fenryn glanced at her for a moment, a soft expression. “Can you do me a favour though? Go to the inn in Gardo for me.”

“Gardo? Why do you need me to go there?” Lynnette questioned with a frown.

“Tell the innkeeper, that my pet dog needs to go for a walk,” Fenryn said, smiling a little.

Lynnette's expression was one of complete disarray, she just could not understand Fenryn at all. How could he be so calm! Let alone worry about a pet dog in this situation.

“Trust me,” Fenryn said, placing a hand upon her shoulder. “And here, take this with you.” He said removing his hidden sheath and giving it to Lynnette. His other sword he allowed to fall to the ground. He then held up his hands in surrender to the bandit leader.