The Morus Chronicles: Books 1-4 by J.R. Roper

Author:J.R. Roper [Roper, J.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Action & Adventure, Boys, Coming-of-Age, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Magic, Mystery, Young Adult
Publisher: Hidden Cottage Press
Published: 2021-07-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Path of Pain

Ethan was tired but not enough to sleep on a rock mattress. The fire was kept low, a cautious measure that left him shivering from the mountain air. Destry and Ripley were snuggled close under the thickest blanket, both sound asleep.

“Get some sleep,” Andonicus whispered. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

It was no use. Ethan felt dreary as he tossed and turned. As soon as his body fully relaxed, the stone contours forced him to reposition. His mind raced. Why did they have to leave the group behind? What could he be facing that was worse than the poltergeists and dragon from his first hunt? These questions buzzed, along with thoughts of Mel and how she had saved him. And hugged him. He’d felt something through her tight embrace, like she meant that hug more than she had ever meant anything before.

Ethan imagined them walking down the hall, holding hands. Together they could probably eliminate every bully in the school. His mind finally at ease, he drifted into a deep sleep.

* * *

Ethan awoke to a tap on his shoulder. He opened his eyes to darkness. The fire was nothing more than a few embers, and the thickly clouded sky blocked every twinkle of light. Once his eyes adjusted and he focused them into his night vision, he spotted Andonicus standing near the edge.

Ethan crept out of his blankets keeping an eye on the still sleeping Destry and Ripley. He grabbed his sword and slung the leather strap over his shoulder. It fit on his back perfectly. He tiptoed to Andonicus.

“You’re going to have to trust me,” Andonicus whispered. “There’s a cave about halfway down this slope.” He moved his staff over the ledge, revealing a rope shimmering in the darkness. “I’ll go first.”

Andonicus began a quick descent down the slope. Ethan followed. The rope was sticky and easy to grip. He walked backward down the rock, placing his feet carefully on the mixture of smooth and rugged surfaces. Soon he felt Andonicus grab his arm and pull him toward an opening to his left. The cave had no landing that would make it noticeable from above. Ethan looked down a meandering hall. Andonicus lit the orb on the end of his staff, illuminating the cave. “No night vision for me, treasure hunter.”

Something lying near the entrance caught Ethan’s attention. A skeleton.

“This could be the body of a treasure hunter,” Andonicus said. “This place isn’t easy to find. Only one with instincts could—” Andonicus extinguished his staff.

A faint echo caused Ethan to tense. Was someone waiting for them?

“Do you see anything?”

Ethan stared hard, but the cave appeared empty. He shook his head.

“I’ll follow you until we get closer. Take it slow.”

Ethan began down the narrow path. The farther they went, the cooler the air became. Another sound, this time much closer.

Andonicus tugged on Ethan’s sheath, halting him in his tracks.

Ethan caught a whiff of something terrible, a mixture of rank hair and sweat.

“Something of the Dark waits ahead,” Andonicus said as he stepped next to Ethan.

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