Gargoyle Realm

"I have an idea where it is." Laeddin hiked a short distance to the edge of the ridge.

"Where's that?" I hiked over to him. We stood on the top of a vast mountain. The crisp air whipped thin around us, nearly empty of oxygen. Had I still been human I would've had difficulty breathing at such a high altitude.

"Down there, probably within or below the palace," he said, pointing.

I followed his finger as I stroked the bear bracelet encircling my wrist. Christopher had given it to me. The little bear charm brought me comfort.

My eyes drifted down into an expansive city surrounded on three sides by mountains while the fourth opened to the sea.

Homes made of rock and sand lined the streets, standing in rows like soldiers waiting for battle. Two thirds of the way toward the castle was a large wall with a gate.

Two gargoyle sentries with matching brown wings stood guard on either side of it. The second rung of houses was similar to the first, though they were much bigger, and many had co