Sunday Excerpt, "Crucible"

The deeper into the gorge they traveled, the narrower it became. The path followed a mostly straight course but did have bends every so often. After a sharper bend than most, the party came to a halt. Around the bend was a large circular opening with walls all around. To the left a stand of pine trees had grown in the stunted climate. To the right was a colossal wall of loose stone from a rockslide blocking any further advance. To create such a wall it was clear an entire side of a nearby mountain had collapsed to form the insurmountable barrier. Its scale was so grand Linvin knew at his full strength, it would take him at least a month to blast the rock away.

Hearts sank throughout the group. “Well,” Anvar said. “Now we know what happened to the river. It was cut off by the rockslide.”

Linvin looked at the obstruction in wonder. “I am not so sure,” he said. “I hear no water nearby. If such a river had been diverted we would still be able to hear it even at this distance. I think the river went elsewhere a long time ago. Furthermore, the wall is far too new. This collapse happened within the last few years. You can tell by the distribution of the rocks.”

Linvin dismounted and started to look at the ground more closely. Moments later, he kicked away a layer of shale and found the remnants of a campfire. Then he moved to another spot and did the same thing. The results were similar. “This used to be a well-used pass into the mountains. Perhaps goblin raiders or traders passed this way. Then the path was sealed and the route abandoned.”

“That means there is a path behind that wall,” Rander said with excitement. “Use the Red Sapphire and blast an opening for us.”

Linvin looked at Anvar in dismay. His uncle returned the gaze. Then Linvin addressed Rander. “That means there was a pass here. It is likely gone from the massive rockslide. Regardless of that, you are talking about blasting apart a mountainside. Not even I have strength for that.”  

“Could you fly us each over the rocks?” Bander asked.

“No,” Linvin responded. “This barrier looks to be as thick as it is high. The distance would be too great if indeed a path still existed. My power would not be sufficient to make the trek. I am afraid this is a dead end.”

Rander was incensed. “So for all your power, you can’t help us when we need it most?”

Linvin was frustrated as well and let it show in response. “I cannot move a mountain. To try to blast though it would bring all this rock down upon us and still not clear the way. Staff of no staff I cannot overcome this obstruction. We must find another way. Now shut your mouth before I administer the beating on you this time.”

Anvar interjected. “Perhaps we should rest for the night. We have some cover and none us have slept for two days. Clearer minds will prevail in the morning. Come. Help me clear a spot to camp. Some rocks are over there that I can superheat to give us warmth without revealing our position.”