Grieve, R.J [Legend of Erren-dar 01] Crystal Chalice by R.J. Grieve

Author:R.J. Grieve
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-04-05T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-three

The Battle of the Cleft

They soon left behind the forest with its open, sunny glades, and emerged once more upon the grassy downs. The sun still shone out of a forget-me-not sky but the wind had arisen, sending a fresh breeze rippling across the grass, playfully tugging strands of Elorin’s hair free from its plait and tossing Triana’s loose curls into golden disorder. Relisar’s long beard kept blowing into his eyes, giving rise to much mutterings and growls of discontent.

Andarion and Celedorn stood together on the crest of one of the downs which arose like a great unbroken green wave, and surveyed the land southwards. As far as the eye could see, the great undulating sea of grass continued until it met some darker object on the horizon, which might have been hills or a forest. Even Celedorn’s acute eyesight could not distinguish the feature at such a distance.

“More open downland,” sighed the Prince.

“It reminds me of the Meadowlands, but on a much larger scale. However, it can’t be avoided without an extensive detour and time is pressing. It is now almost mid-summer and if it is our aim is to be back in Eskendria by early autumn, we will have to trust to luck once again.”

“At least nothing else seems to be out there,”

“Not at the moment, but we must make what speed we can. I suggest that if we get a clear night, we should continue during the hours of darkness.”

Andarion nodded. “It will be hard on Triana but it must be done.”

“I notice that you did not say that it would be hard on Elorin.”

“Elorin is enjoying herself. Anyone can see that.”

“Perhaps,” replied Celedorn noncommittally, unwilling to discuss Elorin with the Prince.

Andarion tactfully let the matter go and followed him down to join the others.

For two days and nights they travelled across the plain. The immensity of the landscape, the impression of a never-ending green ocean looking up at an infinite blue sky, made the company seem tiny and insignificant in comparison, crawling across the face of the earth like minute ants. The lack of landmarks made the journey seem slow and there were times when they began to wonder if they were making any progress at all. Travelling at night made the feeling worse, for the dark plain and the starlit sky vaulting above it, merged into one endless immensity. However, just as dawn was breaking on the third day, a feature that had not been visible to them during the hours of darkness came into view. A strange little round hill arose from the plain, clothed in the ubiquitous grass, but its uneven crown suggested it bore some sort of structure. The clear light made it seem close but it took several hours of walking to reach it. Closer inspection revealed the ruins of a small fort or tower. Little was now left standing, except low fragments of grey walls, their once jagged edges worn smooth by centuries of rain, frost and sun. Standing incongruously by itself, was one beautiful, pointed arch.

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