BlackThorn's Doom Page 0,28

shrugged, “It is the first time that I have wished to share in your deafness.”

“Your gifts are a two edged sword.” Connell stated patting Marcos’s upper arm in support.

“It has always been so.” Marcos said standing erect. “The sooner we leave this place the better.”

They climbed the loose stone and entered valley beyond. The sickly trees crowded against the mountains base. A few even managed a precarious hold on its lower reaches.

The Fuming volcano’s stone turned southward disappearing into a deep gloom that seemed impervious to the weak that touched the ground were they now stood.

The vegetation was thicker here, the trees taller with heavy boles that bore no signs of charring. Thick vines slowed their progress. They grew everywhere, hard barked and laden with long thorns that tore at their clothing and flesh without mercy.

Hacking their way forward they came quite unexpectedly to a narrow dirt track that ran arrow straight through the fetid wood running northeast from the mountain.

Crouching low to the ground Yoladt ventured out onto the hard packed earth. He studied the ground carefully for a few moments before rushing back to the cover of the wood.

“It is well traveled.” He said catching his breath. “By horse and cart alike, some of the tracks are less than a few hours old at most.”

“Then there is danger here.” Suni said eyeing the road with disdain. “With the noise from the mountain a hundred horsemen could come upon us without warning.”

Marcos could see the merit in Suni’s caution. “We stay just within the tree line using the road as our guide.”

Reluctantly they returned to the darkness within the trees. Although open sky of roiling clouds and thick ash were disturbing to look upon, the smell of the tormented plant life was far more disquieting to their senses.

The way ahead became more passable the further south they ventured. The thick tangled mass of vines thinned and eventually disappeared altogether. The grim trees grew further apart making the deep wood well suited for travel.

Twice they dropped low to the ground as horses thundered past along the nearby roadway. Suni’s caution had been correct. They had had no warning, only when the horses were almost upon them did they hear the hoof falls.

Casius watched the riders pass through an opening in the dense foliage. Once they had gone he sat up and shook his head. “Men and Morne working together.” He said in disgust.

“Fear of Sur’kar does indeed make strange allies.” Marcos commented brushing dirt from his soiled stained clothing.

Over the rumblings of the Mountain a strange hissing sound could be heard, growing louder with each passing mile.

The trees ended abruptly upon the shore of a small lake. The water was as dark as midnight and steamed fitfully in the gloom. A thick scum of yellow algae clung along the muddy bank, rising and falling with the gentle waves.

The water spanned half a mile to the blackened roots of the mountain. In its center a huge geyser of the black liquid shot skyward, rising over a hundred feet before falling back to the lakes surface. Beyond the erupting water they could see the roadway hugging the mountains base.

“The source of the river Tharlas and birth place of the Ravenslaugh.” Marcos said.

“I never would have thought to have seen such a sight.” Yoladt said in wonder.

“Few free men have.” Casius commented. “If any have they never returned to tell of it.”

“Aye,” Connell added. “And neither shall we if we are seen gawking like fools out here in the open.”

“Do we dare follow the road?” Casius wondered. “Or try and cross it?”

Marcos shook his head. “That would be unwise, the stain of our enemy goes deep in this land. To touch the waters so close to Trothgar’s poisoned aquifers could lead to madness and death.” Marcos pointed along the eastern bank. “The road has its own dangers as well, we will follow the shore until it turns southward once more.”

With a final look to the inviting road Casius followed his companions along the muddy bank and into the darkness of the wood.

The lake was small and within a few hours they came to a shallow ravine where the water of the lake roared southward in a swiftly flowing cataract.

They followed the gully keeping well clear of the brittle stone that lined its edges. The old lava was heavily eroded and riddled with cracks; massive gouges in the bank were stark evidence as to where the rock had failed before.

After two miles the trees