The Binding of Bloom Mountain (The Valley Book 1) by Siggy Chambers

Author:Siggy Chambers [Chambers, Siggy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE: THE STAIRWELL

The path away from the Old Oak Tree curved around the western side of the mountain, skirting a sheer stone wall, and plunged back into dense forest. Pine, maple, and oak towered above Celeste as she walked. Wonder and sorrow competed for prevalence in her heart; wonder at the beauty of nature and the strange magics of this new world, and sorrow for the years she had missed with her grandparents. Sorrow for the life she might have had if she had learned about the Valley as she grew up.

It was cooler on the south side of the mountain. Trees blocked the sunshine, but humidity clung to the forest, drenching Celeste in sweat. She didn’t mind it too much, she focused on the currents of magic around her.

The currents were stronger now, easier to follow. She could feel the magic in the ground as they swirled around her footsteps, the ones in the air as they caressed the changing leaves above her, the ones deep in stone, thrumming with the heartbeat of the mountain. They flowed along the trail, leading her on, guiding her on the path. She felt a little lightheaded while concentrating on seeing and hearing the currents, but it got easier every time. When she didn’t concentrate, they dissipated into the air or the ground or the bark of the trees as she passed. Some newly awakened sense told her they were still there, in the corner of her vision, just under the background hum of the forest.

She enjoyed the new sensations as she continued through the trees until she reached a sheer stone wall and The Stairwell.

She put her headphones back in.

“You’re going to think you are off to a good start after the Old Oak Tree. It’ll hem and haw and do its little dance and wiggle its branches and you’ll sing it and the Hangman back to sleep. But this is where the real test is going to begin.

“The Stairwell. Gods of the Valley, I hate that thing. Last time I attempted the Binding, it was after a pretty nasty spell of rain and I slipped and fell and that’s how I broke my hip.”

“Aunt Selena, you shouldn’t have been binding the mountain in your 60s.” Marta’s voice was soft, gently chiding her great-aunt. Celeste felt herself melt a little and hoped one day Marta would use that voice with her. Maybe when there were too many books of pressed leaves and did Celeste really need another one from the same tree?

“Marta here loves to remind me that I am getting old.”

There was a moment where Celeste had wanted to laugh at Selena and Marta, who were glaring at each other, but she’d smothered it, fearing that they would start glaring at her.

“Anyway, the Stairwell. There are 500 steps carved into the rock of the mountain. Most of them are taller than you’ll be expecting, so be sure to stretch before attempting the climb.”

Celeste looked up at the Stairwell and thought Selena’s description a bit understated.

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