Anilyia by Carroll John H

Author:Carroll, John H.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragon, druid, swords and sorcery, caverns, indie author, ryallon, flower child

Chapter 16

They spent the rest of that day and night at the inn. Tathan and Liselle both needed extra rest. The only thing Tathan went out for was a new pair of shoes. They weren’t as good as his previous pair, which had been specially made for silent movement, but they would do.

Before the sun rose the next morning, the party was on their way to the Cavern Road. The reddish-brown face of the mountain was sloped at a steep angle with a huge opening that had been widened and reinforced by Rojuun after the city was built.

Inside the mountain was a massive cavern, the ceiling a good twenty levels above them. A small river flowed through on its way to Trohiin Lake. Sounds of people and a merchant train, which had entered the cave in front of them, echoed from the high ceiling.

A number of buildings lined the walls while the rest of the cavern was park areas with walkways and bridges crossing the river. There were plants and animals in roped off areas, a mixture of upper cavern wildlife mixed with surface wildlife for people to view. It created a strong smell that was only partially relieved by ventilation shafts in the ceiling.

The companions moved toward a large tunnel on the other side of the cavern. Human guards directed by a Rojuun supervisor were examining a wagon train coming out of the caverns. The wagons were long and thin. Sir Danth had learned that wagons were checked for plants and animals from the caverns, which were not allowed above ground as it could kill them. The Rojuun didn’t want to upset the natural balance of things by having flora and fauna smuggled in either direction.

A human administrator sat behind a desk to the right of the tunnel. Sir Danth led them to that desk and they gave him the passes. He looked them over and asked, “What is your purpose in the caverns?” The man was polite, but businesslike.

Tathan answered for them, giving a response they had discussed in advance. “We’re looking to travel to the Kingdom of Iynath. The Rojuun are nice, but we want to get out of the caverns and back under the sun. Regrettably there isn’t any way to get there except through the Cavern Road.” Tathan slumped his shoulders as though it was a burden to make the journey.

“Of course. You do understand that if a Rojuun insists you must work, you will be obligated.”

“We know,” Tathan replied miserably. “We’re going to keep our heads low and pray we make it through as fast as possible.”

The administrator looked the party over. Not knowing what to make of them, he just shrugged. “Very well. Do you have contraband or anything that is not legal to take into the caverns?”

“No sir. Nothing at all,” Tathan assured him.

He looked them over one more time, opened his mouth to say something then thought better of it and shrugged again. “Alright. Go ahead. Don’t break any laws, don’t .

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