Chuck let out a long, weary sigh and settled down against the rough, cool surface of the rock wall beside Brytha. Glyrgaph floated down to their eye level.

  Chuck let out a long, weary sigh and settled down against the rough, cool surface of the rock wall beside Brytha.

  “Not even close. I went a few feet down and the barrier was still there.”

  “Too bad you can’t do do that corkscrew thing with your body into rock.”

  Chuck chuckled softly. “I can’t corkscrew, but you reminded me, I can do this.” He leaned back, letting the cool, gritty texture of the stone envelop him, and with a fluid motion, he merged into the rock itself. His eyes scanned the gray depths for any lurking shadowy snakes or hidden threats, but all was clear. Confidently, he strolled through the dense stone, his feet moving silently in search of the barrier’s end. After twenty feet of exploration, he decided to turn back, wary of becoming trapped in the unforgiving rock. Emerging smoothly from the stone’s surface, he found Brytha staring at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

  “You are a Rockbound?” she asked, her voice tinged with awe.

  “No, but I met one who gifted me the ability to Stone Walk.”

  “It would seem, now more than ever, that the Structure chose well.” Brytha’s voice carried a solemn weight as she dropped to one knee, a gesture that startled Chuck with its gravity. “I pledge my protection and aid. My sword shall be wielded as yours.” She inclined her head, pressing the back of her right hand to her forehead in a gesture of deep respect.

  Embarrassed by the formality, Chuck stumbled over his words, a few awkward grunts escaping his lips before he found them, “Thank you. Now, please get up. I’m not someone who’s earned anyone’s pledge.”

  Brytha stood up and looked Chuck in the eye. “You have shared enough of your story and, more importantly, showed enough in your actions for me to know your worth. Humble and willing to fight for friends and those you have never met in a world you know little about. You are worth my pledge.”

  Chuck's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as he locked eyes with her. "I accept it and I didn't mean to slight your offer." His words stumbled out, each one carrying the weight of his surprise. "It's something that nobody has ever done. I'm stunned and in disbelief." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his hands fidgeting at his sides. "To be honest," he admitted, a small, nervous laugh escaping his lips, "I don't know how to act right now."

  “Accepting is the right move. Just to let you know, pledging doesn’t mean I won’t poke, yell, or even cuss at you. I’ll fight at your side, but I may be mad at you as I do so.”

  “Good to know. I don’t want anything weird where you're calling me ‘Your Liege’ all the time.” Chuck said.

  “No chance that will happen. I may call you idiot, but not ‘My Liege’.” Brytha laughed as she spoke.

  "Okay, now I'm going to try the other side," Chuck said, almost succeeding in putting some determination in his voice. He darted over to the opposite side of the path. He stepped cautiously into the rock. Within minutes, he discovered a narrow tunnel. He slipped inside, the cool air brushing against his skin, and followed the winding passage to where a large stone concealed the exit. With a firm push, the rock gave way, and he emerged back onto the path, around twenty feet away from the towering barrier.

  "Hey, there's a tunnel back here, you guys! We passed it along our way," he shouted, his voice echoing down the path.

  Brytha and Glyrgaph both made their way over to Chuck.

  “Anything in the tunnel?” Brytha asked as she came to a stop.

  “Not that I saw. Might be a problem for your wings and Glyrgaph, you won’t have much flying room.”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  They started down the tunnel, Brytha in the lead. She cast a low-level light spell to illuminate their way.

  Chuck whispered, “Does the air seem heavy?”

  “Heavy and it stinks,” Brytha replied.

  “Advantage of not smelling much, unless I focus on it.”

  “Is it an advantage?” Brytha asked. “Missing out of some great smells and the nose is a wonderful detector for strange things. Like right now, I’d swear there is something living in this tunnel and the scent is getting stronger.”

  “Can I put a hand on your shoulder? I’d like to absorb your sense of smell.”

  Brytha paused for a second. “Does it do anything to my sense of smell?”

  “Nope, I just copy it with no drain on yours.”

  “Okay, absorb away.” Brytha shivered when Chuck’s hand brushed up against her shoulder and neck. “Your hand is not the most pleasant of feelings. It’s squishy and cold.”

  “Sorry, in this light, I misjudged your shoulder.” Chuck slid his hand away from her neck. “I still need to work on feeling more human when someone contacts me. Hold up. I need to concentrate for a few seconds.”

  They stopped. Chuck took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing intently on the mental image of crafting a fully functioning nose. When he opened his eyes, Brytha’s ice-blue eyes stared back.

  “That is fascinating and weird all at the same time. You should work on the nose. A copy of mine doesn’t fit your face the best. Does it work?”

  Chuck took a deep breath, wondering where it went since he didn’t have lungs. The pungent but sweet odor of the cave hit him as he focused on the scent.

  “Wow. Your sense of smell is much better than what I pulled from Marl. Then again, I focused mostly on seeing, not smelling, then. I see what you mean about something living down here.”

  “When we’re done with this, you owe me a long talk, several, on how you work.” Brytha smiled over at Chuck. “That is, if you feel up to talking about it. I think we could learn a lot from you, and I find it interesting.”

  So am I an oddity, a science project, or someone she’d like to get to know better? Chuck pondered for several steps. C’mon Chuck, you’re a lump of living meat—science and magic project.

  In a flat tone, he answered. “Sure, I guess.”

  They rounded a narrow turn in the cave and discovered a wider tunnel that almost qualified as a chamber. The walls stretched upward, and high along their sides were slots and round openings that offered glimpses of the outside world. Sunlight filtered in, casting dappled patterns across the stone floor, while vines and roots trailed through the openings, hinting that the ceiling was just at ground level. Chuck stood close to Brytha, his eyes scanning the surroundings, while Glyrgaph drifted toward the nearest opening, eager to explore its secrets.

  “To small for either of you to get through. I might macerate myself through.” Glyrgaph called down to the others.

  “Macerate?” Chuck asked. “I think you took a wrong turn in your thesaurus.”

  “Mash?” Glyrgaph questioned.

  “Mash through works as far as grammar. Not sure you could actually get through.”

  “It would seem that I’d need help being pushed or pulled through. It looks like there is a rocky trail out there and a steep drop-off on the other side.”

  “I could probably manipulate my form to get through, but that would leave Brytha on her own.”

  “And I’d prefer not being on my own here,” She said. “Anyway, I don’t think we want to leave the tunnel.”

  Chuck looked back down the cave. “True, but knowing where the exits are isn’t a horrible thing to know.”

  “Agreed there, fully agree.” She nodded.

  They continued walking forward along the stone floor. The dirt and some gravel scraped underneath their feet. Brytha’s light shone on the floor ahead, showing old leaves and vines along the path. Gnarled roots grew out of both walls. With small mushrooms, glowing a faint orange, along the base.

  Chuck pointed at the glowing mushrooms. “What are those?”

  “I’d like to have an answer, but I don’t.” Brytha shrugged.

  Looking up, Chuck called out to Glyrgaph. “You know what these are?”

  “My knowledge is mostly limited to the marsh. A quick examination of the archive has yet to land on their identity.” The floating plant replied.

  Brytha’s hand shot up in the air. “Shhh.” She whispered.

  Her head cocked, her right hand cupped her ear in an obvious attempt to hear better. Chuck followed her example, confused and uncertain of what he’d hear.

  Continuing her whisper, Brytha commented. “I’m pretty sure I heard a scurrying noise.”

  Chuck grew his ears bigger, hoping they’d capture a sound. He still heard nothing. He shrugged with his palms up.

  Brytha let a wave of frustration color her expression. “Maybe I heard an echo of us.” She still kept her voice muted.

  “I trust you and I’ve not seen anything that would make me think you imagine things.” Chuck matched her low volume.

  Bythra nodded and took some careful steps forward, Chuck followed her.

  Status Check.

  << STATUS -

  Health: 70/80

  Magic: 98/108 >>

  At least I’m ready for whatever comes our way.

  He almost collided with Brytha, who’d stopped in front of him. “Whoa.” It came out louder than intended.

  “Shhhhhh!” Brytha shot him an angry look.

  Chuck nodded with a slight shrug.

  Then a clicking and scurrying sound made its way through the narrow chamber.

  “I heard—“

  “Did you—“

  Both stopped speaking so they could hear the first, but neither said anything as the noises got louder.