Regeneration: Wandering Stars Volume Four by Jason Tesar

Author:Jason Tesar [Tesar, Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 4shadow, LLC
Published: 2015-05-27T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

BARSIRI (HIDDEN SLEEP)

ANCIENT BURIAL GROUNDS

The terrain was steep and covered in dense foliage that blocked out much of the sunlight. Mosi led the way, hacking at the vegetation with his makeshift spear. He and his brothers had found suitable branches along the stream shortly after leaving Sariel’s camp and thought it would be a good idea to have something with which to protect the women and children. Sariel took up the second position, scanning their ascent for any sign of approaching spirits. Imamu, the second oldest brother, and Wekesa had decided to wait at the lake below, where the waterfall spilled into it. They wanted to stay close to the rest of the family, and only one person was really needed to show Sariel to the burial grounds.

Although it was just a short distance below them, the lake could no longer be seen through the trees. Ekua had been right about this location—it wouldn’t be found unless someone knew where to look. Just getting to the lake had been a challenge, with one narrow gorge after another to climb.

The sound of rushing water was becoming louder on their left, and the two began angling across the steep incline toward it. All of a sudden, the tree line ended. They were on a precipice with a narrow gap separating the cliff on which they stood from a wall of vegetation a dozen paces away. The land had been eroded by the force of water pouring down from the heights, creating a narrow cleft that ran deep into the mountains. On either side were sheer cliffs covered by moss and vines that thrived in the misty environment. The side on which they stood had a narrow path that followed the cliff face upward and to the right.

Mosi began climbing the path without pausing to look at the scenery. Sariel followed, and after several minutes they came upon a thick rope of woven vines extending across the gap between the cliffs. On this side of the gorge, someone had tied the rope to the branch of a small tree growing from a crack in the rocks. On the other side of the gorge, the rope angled upward until it disappeared into the middle of the waterfall.

“There is a large cave on the other side of the water, behind the fall,” Mosi explained. “If you swing from this ledge here, you will enter at the right height. Follow the first chamber into the mountain and it will lead to the burial place.”

“Are you coming inside?”

“I cannot. Only elders are allowed to enter.”

Sariel certainly qualified for that designation, though Mosi and his family didn’t know the truth about how old he really was.

“You can let go of the rope when you are through. I will gather it up again later from the top of the other cliff.”

“What about light?” Sariel asked as he tucked Ebnisha’s satchel beneath his tunic.

“There is a torch and a flint on the wall of the first chamber.”

Sariel untied the rope and pulled on it, looking up as he assessed its strength.

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