Where Ashes Fall: (Gifts of Grimbreak Book 2) by Thomas Malinowski

Author:Thomas Malinowski [Malinowski, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

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The flurry of snowflakes pelted Hugo’s bare hands, melting off and away as he clutched tightly at the wagon's reins. The cold bothered him at first, though the closer they got to the base of the mountain, the less he seemed to even notice the winter's harsh winds biting at his skin. Valda sat nearby, gently caressing a tiny flame between her hands and lightly blowing air into its orange flames. The wagon rounded a slight turn on the road and finally revealed what they had been waiting to see for hours. Hugo smiled nervously, letting his gaze travel upwards at the tall mountain ahead.

“Looks like the mountain path is just up ahead!” Hugo said excitedly, getting Valda to glance upwards at the snowy peak above. The blue pillar of light began to look wider and brighter than it had initially appeared when they first left Cormea. She felt the excitement build inside of her, letting it out in her flame that bounced and danced around wildly in her palm.

“We’re gonna make it,” She whispered, “We’re actually gonna get there first, Hugo!” She smiled, throwing her fire up into the air, causing the orange and red flames to disperse into tiny embers in the chilly breeze. Valda quickly tried to compose herself, clearing her throat and sitting upright against the back of the wooden bench.

“It certainly seems like it, huh?” Hugo replied, his voice noticeably less enthusiastic than hers. She frowned at the man, grabbing hold of his shoulder and pointing upwards toward the mountain top.

“Don’t you see it? We’re so close, Hugo. There’s no way they catch up with us now!” She exclaimed, though as she spoke, the soldier in the driver’s seat of the wagon behind them let out a loud whistle. The man waved at them hurriedly, causing Hugo and Valda to look at each other nervously. Hugo signaled the man to stop just before the steep incline in the road at the mountain's base, and the man nodded his understanding.

The dirt road they had been traveling on was beginning to narrow as it became part of the pathway up the mountain. Truth be told, almost all wagons traveling this way would have already stopped and turned towards Bedelia since the only thing past that crossroad was the treacherous path up to Grimbreak. The pathway became almost impossible to pass by conventional means, as no boar-drawn wagon would ever even attempt a trip up to the mountain's peak. The few that had tried in recent history had all gone missing, and the rumors of the mountain were enough to keep even the bravest mountaineers away. Some speculated it was the Kren that lived in and around the snowy mountain, killing any who dared brave the frosty trial. Others say the mountain is cursed, haunted by the spirits of the hundreds of soldiers who met their end at its peak. In either case, if anyone was following them this far out, it surely wouldn’t be just an innocent traveler anymore.

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