Haven: A Fantasy Novel (Broken Wings Duet Book 2) by S. E. Wendel

Author:S. E. Wendel [Wendel, S. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

24

Bel had vague memories of the damp stairwell behind the waterfall. He’d been here once before, with Eamon, a bored fledgling with nothing to do while his brother inspected possible new mineral veins. He hadn’t made it far, too unnerved by the deafening rush of water.

His ears ached, the tips nearly vibrating with the pounding rhythm of the Falls, amplified in the hollowed-out tube of the stairwell. They took the climb slowly, watching their footfalls, as the shallow steps led gradually up into the mountain.

The roar of the waterfall faded little by little, until the ringing of his own ears was the loudest noise. Still they climbed, Eamon leading the way and Bel bringing up the rear. By the time they made it to the mouth of the stairs, the ringing had faded, though an ache gathered in his thighs.

Eamon led them not into a rocky tunnel or mineshaft but an empty corridor, the stone worked to a high polish. The torches cast glistening shadows on the dark stone. Columns stretched in either direction, taller than the light could penetrate.

Bel remembered this place, too. It’d been a hub for the miners, all those years ago; a place to gather and plan and rest. To a younger Bel, it’d looked like a crypt.

Now, he was just glad for the open space. Bel extended his wings, shaking off the lingering dampness and stretching the tight muscles of his wing bases. When he closed them again, the feathers settled with a comfortable snick.

He caught Eamon watching him and couldn’t help adjusting his stance, hiding his wings.

Wordlessly, Eamon led them to one of the stairways carved into the rock wall. Starting up the first step, he said in high Vagoran, “I suppose we’ll find out if humans can climb a mountain in a day.”

“We’ll keep up,” Alix replied, her face grim but determined.

Eamon considered her for a long moment before his gaze cut to Lena.

“We’ve come this far. We can’t turn back now,” said Lena.

“You may yet change your mind.” He said it without heat or venom, casting a significant look at Bel.

When Bel said nothing in return, only nodded, Eamon began up the stairs, up into the stronghold of Hadria.

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