*ZZZZ*

  A strange fly made it’s way through the cracks of glass, buzzing itself it flew in a zig-zag pattern and landed on some skin.

  *SLAP*

  “OUCH!” Kael reflexively slapped himself, missing the fly completely. His scream echoed through the stone chambers, loud enough to be an alarm clock.

  “AHHH!” Xantha jolted awake from the slap. She looked around to see in relief it was only Kael. Aeris was next awake, in a very calm and precise manner as always. Edric stretched his limbs wide and sat up.

  “Good morning, how’d you sleep?”

  “I slept well,” Xantha said with a soft smile.

  “It was almost perfect, if not for the damn fly. By the way, it is even morning” Kael looked out at to the lush cave, the lighting was more or less the same lush green. There was no crevasse in which daylight entered.

  “It doesn't matter,” Aeris said as she stood up, she proceeded to check if her sabres and equipment were attached. “Let’s go, there’s no telling what happened on the surface.”

  Just like she ordered, the group began checking the equipment. Xantha didn’t have much to began with so all she did was tie her hair with some plant thread. Kael rubbed his hands on his staff, peeked inside his magic pouch and dusted off his clothes. Edric did the same, grabbing his dagger, the longsword, his gun and his bag.

  Once they were ready, they made there way outside. Outside they looked around for any exit or opening to escape. There initial idea was…

  “Why not climb through the hole we dropped from?” Edric suggested afterall that’s the only way they knew.

  “We could , but that's a bit too close to Magnus.” Aeris suggested.

  “Then what about the stream,” Kael interrupted. “The stream must come from somewhere, if it’s big enough we can squeeze through the crack.”

  It sounded like a plausible alternative to the hole. Together they followed the stream to it’s source. They thought it would be an easy walk, but to there surprise the flora in the cave became more swamp like and damp the further than went upstream.

  The stream gradually became bigger and bigger to be called a small river. They looked up to the walls approaching nearer–they were close. They eventually came in view of the place the river originates.

  “Jackpot,”

  The crack was wide enough one and half person to feet. It’s height was atleast 8 feet, and most importantly— rays of sunlights appeared from the crack. Edric looks at each other, relieved they went closer. Kael went in first as he is the most flexible and can send out any warnings, then it was followed by Xantha, Edric and Aeris.

  They walk and walk and continue to walk sideways crawling between a one feet gap present in the crack. They walked for so long, they started doubting if they were stuck in place by an illusion.

  “Ahh, how long will this thing go for!” Kael shouted in anxiety. But to his relief it didn’t last to long. After a few more minutes, the rays of sunlight became brighter and brighter until– the exit was visible.

  Kael audibly gasped, using minimum mana he lunched forward like the breeze.

  “Finally,”

  The cheer sent a wave of relief in the back, where the three were still crawling. A few moments later they step foot out.

  Edric’s was temperoly blinded by the sun as his eyes adapt to the surroundings. He blinked several times before he could clearly see the orange forest present before.

  He turned to see clearly a small groups of trees, all medium height with orange-yellow leaves similar to the ones in autumn. Although as far as he knowledge they werent in the season so there probably natural. Below him was the river that flowed into the cave, on the land Kael layed flat on the ground spread out wide like a child.

  *SNIFF*

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Xantha takes a deep breath to take in the air.“Fresh air finally,” The air carried a fruity scent along with the scent of leaves and branches. A stark contrast between the damp lush cave.

  Aeris dried of her pants, and sat by the river banks.

  Everyone seems alright, but where are we. He turned to see the crack, his gaze shifts above as he saw a hill in which the crack is located.

  Damn, just where are we? He thought as he started recollecting the local geography. He checked the surrounding and sees a small range of hills and a large mountain to the far East. As per his knowledge there are two mountain ranges on either side Magnus serving as a barricade of sorts. But the most surprising thing was both of them were very far from the city and he doesn't recollect any orange forest on the map.

  “Oi dry yourself out!” Kael yelled on the bank.

  Edric snapped out of his thoughts, walked on the river bank and patted his clothes dry.

  I should be calm but something still doesn't feel right….

  His mind was racking on various thoughts, most importantly where would they head to now. He knows the general direction of the city but they still need to make stops for items, food and so on.

  He quickly realised overthinking is just a waste of time , and besides he wasnt alone now.

  “So where do we head to now?” He asks in a calm tone.

  They start thinking deeply for a bit. Kael rolls around , thinks hard for a moment before shouting.

  “ We could go to Xandalur”

  Aeris inturputs him, “No let's go to Barkhas,”

  Kael frowned and galred at her with veracity. “Barkhas? Of all places that. You do know that we need to hide right?”

  Aeris clicked her tongue, clearly irritated from Kaels tone. “How is Xandalur any better? You think we can just waltz to the estate, that is if it still there.”

  They both glared daggers at each other, the atmosphere become more and more suffocating. Edric stood by the side having no clue on where either places were.

  This is annoying,

  “Ahem,” Edric grabbed there attention. “I’ll decide, but first whats the diffrence between either option.”

  Kael and Aeris stared at each other, not letting any more time go to waste he spoke first.

  “Xandalur is a small town, in the outskirts. It’s a mostly free city with little intervention from the government, so is filled with mercenary , traders and what not. Bharkas is the opposite it’s run by noble government and I’m damn sure we will get caught if enter.”

  Without letting Edric ask further question, Aeris started her pitch.

  “It’s true Bharkas is run by a noble, but it’s a small house. Most importantly it and the governor of Magnus have a rough relationship. Besides, we need equipment, info and food. Bharkas is the closest city that has any quality items, the black market also exist there. Xandalur barely has any quality items, if it has any. It’s also filled with mercenary who go for you head if it’s a bounty.”

  “I mean, your not wrong about the bounty thing.” Kael admitted. “But it’s way to much of risk to go there.”

  “Can’t we just escape. We escaped Magnus.” Xantha said deadpanned.

  Edric listen in on both of there pitches. He squeezed his eyes and got lost in thought comparing the pros and cons. On one hand we do need to be safe, but on the other hands. We are short on items, and anything. Plus more info would be a plus, disgusing ourselves won’t be difficult so….

  “How long would it take to reach both? Also where are we?”

  “Huh? I thought you knew, pretty sure it’s the forest behind the west mountain range.” Kael replied.

  “It indeed is, the orange forest grows near rivers and less shady areas.” Aeris points at how the forest is masked under the great hills shadow.

  “Hmm, alright.”

  “As for the distance, let me think..” Kael began thinking , gears in his mind slowly turning as did the math.

  “Roughly the same,” Aeris blurted the answer out.

  “God damn it, yeah it’s mostly the same. Xandalur is west while Bharkas is east. We need to follow down inside the forest and than pick a direction.

  Well if it’s roughly the same than either options are viable.

  “Well great, than let’s start walking and decide the place later.” Edric..

  “That’s your decision?” Kael scoffed. “We been haggling like merchants and that’s your decision.”

  “Come on guys, maybe a walk would help.” Edric looked at them. Both crossing there arms, eyes filled with irritation. As a last ditch effort he turns to Xantha. “Xantha what about you.”

  Xantha raised her head to think. “Me? Well I think Bharkas is better. I read about the nasty stuff that happens in Xandalur. You know with all those men.”

  “Come on, whats to fear when you have me.” Kael raised his chest high, his hands combing his hair like a modal.

  *Smack*

  Aeris smacked the nonsense out of him. “Let’s start walking, we are wasting time.” Just like that she starts pacing towards the forest. The group followed her from behind, they pace for about ten minutes. Kael hopped above the canopy, like a bird knowing the direction.

  Where to, where to. Edric’s mind was still concerned about where to go. Both seem fine, but he was leaning on Bharkas, mainly because of the various items he stole from the auction hall. Come to think about it . I haven't told them.

  “Umm, guys. What do we do about money?”

  Kael frowned. “Don’t tell me you don’t have coins left in you pouch?”

  “I have like one gold coin, The rest I put it in the bank. For you know safety, I doubt we can access that , after all we’re fugitives.”

  Xantha shivered, placed her hand on her face in great concern. “Your right!, that means my life saving is gone.”

  “Relax, we already broke the law once. We can just steal some more.” Kael tried lighting the tone.

  “We also need items, gear and food for the trip.”

  “Come on Ed, you sounding more and more boring like Aeris.”

  Aeris turned her head, he stare sent chills down Kaels spin.

  “Oh I kinda stole some loot,” Edric pointed at his magic pouch. “The loot at athe auction were quite good.”

  “Join the club,” Kael opened his pouch , showing some items he looted from the auction. “I bet we could make a killing selling it.”

  “Right, so were would you sell stuff.”

  “Bharkas obviously…. Wait”

  “Then Bharkas it is.”

  “Wait..” Kael looked bewildered like he was tricked.

  Kael frowned, feeling betray, tries to smack Edric’s head but unfortunaly he could dodge better than ever.

  “Relax, will you. I’m sure we will be fine.”

  “Don’t come crying when I warned you.” he said in a chuckled tone.

  Edric nodded, he wasn’t completely sure weather his decision would become and obstacle or an opportunity . But with having support he walks with confident strides.