She returned his smile. "Then I'll just have to wait. I won't be young forever you know. Then maybe you'll look at me." She turned and started back. "Don't tell the others what I've said."

"I won't," he promised.

Ethan watched as she began gathering her belongings. He hoped he had said the right things. He had no experience in dealing with young girls. And considering everything else Kat had been through during her life, she didn't need more heartache and disappointment.

A few minutes later, Markus and Jonas stirred. They set off shortly afterward, just as the sun was fully over the horizon. Kat walked beside Jonas for most of the day, but Ethan caught her stealing glances at him several times. It was clear that she had not been deterred; he hoped he would not be forced to hurt her feelings. But the fact remained, in his eyes she was still a child. And if it came to it, he might have to be firm.

When they stopped for a midday meal, Jonas pulled him aside. "I want you to have another go at trying to start a fire with magic," he said.

By now, he had all but given up hope of ever being able to feel the magic within him. Even the way he'd driven off Hronso, he a.s.sumed, was in reality somehow down to the dragon and not him at all. But the earnest expression on Jonas' face swayed him to try again anyway. He sighed and knelt in front of the pile of twigs that had been arranged.

"Concentrate," Jonas told him. "Picture it in your mind. Let the words transform into action."

After closing his eyes, he whispered the word, "Illimiz," As expected, nothing happened. He tried again, but with the same result. After a few more futile attempts he threw up his hands and let out a frustrated grunt.

"It will come," Jonas a.s.sured him.

Ethan glared down at the twigs, disgusted by his failure. His frustration suddenly boiled over. Clenching his fists, he yelled: "Illimiz, d.a.m.n it!"

To his utter amazement, a thin line of smoke began to rise from the center of the twigs. A moment later a spark popped and a single flame rose. Ecstatic, he jumped up and threw his arms above his head.

Jonas smiled broadly. "There, you see?"

Ethan could only stare at the fire with smug satisfaction.

"All right, great mage," Markus said teasingly. "Put it out. It's time to go."

Ethan took one last, self-satisfied look at the fire before stomping it out. Now inspired, he dearly wanted to try again, but Markus insisted they keep going.

As they walked along, Markus continued to keep a constant eye out for enemies, but saw nothing to suggest they were being pursued. That afternoon he and Kat set snares hoping to catch more rabbits. But to their chagrin, they were unsuccessful.

After three more days they turned due north. Soon after that the forest gave way to an expanse of lush gra.s.sland. They crossed several small trails and one well-built road along the way. Although slowing their pace to make certain there was no prying eyes about, they were still able to cover nearly thirty miles each day.

In less than a week the mountains came into view and the flat easy terrain gradually became hilly and difficult to navigate. Some of the hills were far too tall and steep to climb without exhausting themselves, forcing them to take time-consuming detours around them.

"We're fortunate it's not winter," remarked Markus. "By now we'd all be dead from the cold."

The days were indeed mild, but the nights were becoming increasingly chilly. And with wood for a fire now a scarcity, the setting sun was an unwelcome sight.

Jonas spend each evening examining the map. He explained that, although he had a general idea of where the entrance to the cave was, he had never actually been there. Finding it might prove to be difficult. The mages of the past had left markers, but after all these years there was no way of knowing if they would still be there.

They turned west when two days away from the base of the mountains. The terrain was now hard, mostly rocks and gravel, with just a few sickly looking shrubs sprouting up here and there. Steam issued from cracks in the earth, and the smell of sulfur was almost unbearable. The only redeeming aspect was that it was no longer cold at night. Ethan did his best to take advantage of the situation by bathing in some of the various warm springs that dotted the area though many were way too hot for this and would scald the flesh from one's body. Jonas warned them not to drink any of the spring water, saying that it would sour their stomachs.

"When we arrive there is a fresh spring and fruit trees just outside of the cave," he said. "I can definitely remember Lady Illyrian telling me that."

For another two days they zig-zagged back and forth in the shadow of the mountains while Jonas tried to locate the markers. Having only ever seen pictures of mountains before, Ethan spent most of the time with his head tilted back, staring up in awe at the majesty of the snow covered peaks that were only just visible through the thick grey clouds. Jonas was far less impressed, focusing virtually all of his attention on finding the markers. On several occasions he thought he had succeeded, but each time his hopes were dashed and he would throw up his hands, cursing loudly. But just when he was looking to be on the verge of despair, he finally found what he was looking for. Carved into a tall column of dark granite protruding from the ground was a circle surrounding a five pointed star.

"We're nearly there," he announced, his voice soaked with relief.

Markus though, now appeared to be on edge.

"What's wrong?" Ethan asked.

His friend gave a deep frown. "If we're almost there, then we're most likely being watched. The dwarves are well known for being paranoid and guarded. They will know if someone is approaching their home. If they're going to kill us, they might not wait for us to get too close."

"Don't be so pessimistic," Jonas said. "We've made it this far, haven't we?"

Markus scowled. "Luck is an unreliable companion, old man."

"I'll take what I can get," he shot back with a smile. "Better to have luck than nothing at all."

Markus heaved a sigh. "Then let us pray that our luck holds."

Chapter Fourteen.

For another two days they wound their way gradually closer to the mountain. During this time Jonas found three more markers, and with each discovery Markus' anxiety visibly increased. Ethan did his best to keep their conversation light, but it did little to lift his friend's spirits.

He also took every opportunity he could to practice his one and only spell, and each time delighted in the sight of the tiny flame he was able to produce. Kat once again tried to teach him how to vanish, but he still couldn't feel what she described as: 'a hot coal in the pit of your stomach'. Jonas suggested that, seeing as how her spell was based on instinct, he may not be able to learn it the same way. But it was of no great concern to Ethan at present. He was still in utter amazement at his newly found fire lighting ability.

On the morning of the third day Jonas started poring over the map yet again, a confused look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Ethan asked.

He shook his head. "We should have found it by now. I've located all of the markers, and followed every one of the directions your mother described to me. The land should have changed from rocky ground to thick green gra.s.s." He cast his arm around in a sweeping motion. "But look. Nothing but rocks and gravel."

"We'll find it," Ethan a.s.sured him.

Jonas merely grunted and put away the map.

A few hours later, Markus suddenly stopped in his tracks to sniff the air. "There's fresh water nearby," he stated after a few seconds. He shook the near empty water skin hanging from his belt. "And not a moment too soon."

Jonas' expression instantly brightened. "If you're right, then I think we're there."

Ethan looked up at the menacing grandeur of the mountain and began to share Markus' anxiety. He paused to give it a long suspicious look. A finger poked him sharply in the ribs.

"Surely the great mage Ethan Dragonvein isn't nervous?" teased Kat.

He forced a laugh. "I'm not nervous."

"You really need to learn to lie better than that," she said, wagging her finger playfully.

Markus chuckled. "Yes, he does. Come O mighty starter of camp fires. The dwarves await."

Ethan flushed.

They wound their way around large boulders and th.o.r.n.y bushes until the ground began to slope gently downward. After a while they came to a narrow ravine that dropped off roughly six feet. At the bottom of this, a thin stream of clear water trickled gently along.

Markus was the first to climb down, followed by Ethan and Jonas. Kat hesitated, holding out her arms for Ethan to help her. He groaned inwardly at her obvious attempt at flirting, knowing full well that she could easily make it down by herself if she wanted to. Nonetheless, he did the gentlemanly thing.

Markus cautiously tasted the water. Satisfied, he gave a sharp nod to the others and began filling his water skin.

"This should lead us directly to the cavern," Jonas said, now full of optimism.

The ground was smooth and even within the ravine, so they decided to stay down there until forced to do otherwise. At this lower level the air was cool and smelled clean, although it did also serve to make the lingering smell of sulfur on their clothes seem rather more p.r.o.nounced.

They had only followed the path of the stream for a mile when Markus abruptly stopped. He crouched low and motioned for everyone else to do the same. The sound of voices could be heard from above, though Ethan couldn't tell from which side they were coming.

Warily, Markus peered out, then sat quickly back down with his back pressed against the ravine wall. He pointed to the opposite side, holding up six fingers and silently mouthing: 'Imperial soldiers'.

Ethan tried to control his rising heart rate. The path ahead disappeared into the distance, so if they were quiet, he hoped they should be able to get far enough away to emerge unseen.

Remaining crouched and with slow measured steps, the group crept forward, staying as close to the stream as they could where there was less gravel to crunch beneath their feet.

"Did you see General Hronso?" a deep, gruff voice drifted down.

"No," answered another. "But I heard he's d.a.m.n near burned to cinders. How the h.e.l.l he's still alive I don't know."

"You moron," chided the first voice. "Rakasa can't die."

"That's not what I've heard. Word has it that if you chop off their heads they'll die the same as anyone else. Anyway, whatever the truth, he's liable to be around here any time now, so we better watch ourselves. If it's true that someone's managed to hurt him, he'll be in a killin' mood for sure."

"He's already killed the Grendil who was tracking those fugitives. Hacked him to bits, I hear."

"Let's just hope he ain't got no business with us."

"I don't think the ones he's after will be coming this way. Only thing around here is dwarves, and they ain't the welcoming sort."

"Yeah, well, they won't bother us. And you best mind your tongue if you see the General. A word out of place and you'll end up same as the Grendil did."

Their conversation then turned to more personal matters. After a while the voices faded until they could no longer be heard at all. Markus took another cautious look up and sighed with relief on seeing that it was all clear.

"Where does this stream lead?" he asked Jonas.

"There should be a small pond at the end," he replied. "And the cavern will be just beyond that."

Markus nodded. "Then we should get out of the ravine now. We were lucky they didn't look down here. If they had, we'd have been trapped."

He and Ethan helped the other two up before climbing out themselves. The landscape was somewhat changed. Small patches of gra.s.s were scattered about, and a few thin pines had forced themselves up through the rocky soil. Even so, it was a far cry from what Jonas had described.

They reached the pond some twenty minutes later a circular expanse of clear, icy cold water with a white sandy bottom that extended for several yards beyond the sh.o.r.e. On the far side of this they spotted a worn trail that disappeared behind a low ridge.

They were now almost right up against the base of the mountain. Ethan took a deep breath, hoping this meant they had finally arrived.

Glancing in all directions to be sure that no one was watching, Markus led them around the pond to the trail. As they crested the ridge, Jonas smiled broadly. "This is it!" he exclaimed. "This is the entrance to the cavern."

It was fifty feet across and half as high. On either side stood a cl.u.s.ter of fruit trees, though these were all withered and twisted and bore no trace of fruit.

The air changed almost the moment they stepped inside, becoming thick and humid and filled with a sweet odor that reminded Ethan of spring flowers, only much stronger. So strong in fact, that it came close to being distinctly unpleasant. The light from the entrance seemed incapable of penetrating the gloom within for more than a few yards, so Markus ran out and returned with several small branches to use as torches. But even with these blazing it was only possible to see two or three paces ahead. It was as if the darkness was actually consuming the light.

The cavern floor was smooth and well worn, though with enough inconsistencies in it to show that it had not been fashioned by craftsmen.

With each step, Ethan felt his apprehension rising. The air was growing thicker, pressing in around him, threatening to choke off his breath.

"This is where my mother was trying to reach?" he asked incredulously.

Jonas gave no reply.

The sound of water dripping into hidden pools echoed in his ears, punctuating the ominous feel of his surroundings. After a hundred feet or so of progress, the ground suddenly sloped sharply downwards, nearly causing him to lose his footing.

It was immediately after regaining his balance that Ethan first spotted a ghostly green light piercing the darkness ahead. On drawing closer he could see that the glow was coming from thousands of tiny crystals covering the cave wall. In perfect harmony they pulsed like blood running through rock veins, making the mountain seem a living, breathing thing.

"Beautiful," gasped Kat.

"What are they?" asked Ethan.

"I don't know," Jonas replied. He ran a finger over a section of the crystals. As he made contact their light brightened and became steady, then continued to pulse once he withdrew.

They moved on, each one wondering what else might lay ahead. That question was soon answered when the tunnel came to an abrupt end. Ethan could not believe it. He had expected to see something waiting for them a door, or a clue what to do next anything that could help. But there was nothing here. Only rock. It was the end of the line.

Markus examined the area several times before kicking the wall with frustration and spinning around. "All right, Jonas. What now?"

Jonas also made an inspection of their surroundings, but with no better results. "Maybe they have to come to us," he said. "I just don't know. Lady Illyrian never told me what was inside."

"I suppose it beats getting killed by dwarves," Markus said, tossing his pack onto the ground.

"Lord Dragonvein would not have sent his wife and son here for nothing," Jonas insisted. "There is a way into the mountain. There has to be."

Markus sniffed. "That was over five-hundred years ago, you old fool." He turned to Ethan. "I told you we should have headed for the coast."

"Never mind that. What do we do now?" he asked.

"Well, we can't stay here," Markus replied. "If they find us, there's no way out. We should wait for nightfall, then head west. We can follow the sh.o.r.e north to Barkal or Dragon Bay."

Taking a seat beside his pack, he cast an angry glance at Jonas. "You have until then to find us a way in."

Jonas glared back, then, mumbling curses, resumed his inspection of the walls.

Kat plopped down beside Markus and retrieved a strip of jerky from her pack. "What do you think makes the crystals glow?"

He shrugged. "How should I know?"

"It's probably magic," she said. "I bet this whole place is filled with it. What do you think, Ethan?"