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For she was gone, never to return.
He spurred his horse faster.
He wished all this business concluded.
Gwen sighed as she stared up at the rocky face of the mountain in front of her. A dark crevice in its face revealed the cave she was meant to go into, about a ten-foot climb up some rocks. Somewhere in that mountain was an angry demon trying to blow up the world.
Bert placed his hands on his hips as he turned his rusty pumpkin head up toward the cave. “’Fraid this is as far as we can take you.”
“That’s fine. You’re—uh—extremely flammable.” She chuckled. “And Grinn is an asshole.”
“Two very true things. Lina and Mirkon won’t fare much better. We’ll have to stay out here and try to stay out of the blast radius.”
She shook her head. “Better you leave for the coast, honestly—the odds I talk Grinn out of this are slim to none. And the odds that Mordred kills Grinn before the demon detonates the volcano are slightly better, but still too risky. If that sucker goes off, you should be as far away as possible.”
“I’m afraid there won’t be anywhere for us to hide if you’re right.” Bert patted her on the shoulder. “But we’ll stay out of the range of any battles, that’s for certain.”
Eod was sniffing around in the grass.
She frowned, watching the dog happily hunt for critters. “I think you should take Eod with you. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“What? No! Dog stay. Dog protect!” Eod looked up to her, his ears drooped, obviously insulted that she’d make him leave her side.
Kneeling down on the ground, she opened her arms to the animal. He walked over, licking her face, tail wagging in that way that was both hopeful and sad.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt. I love you too much to let that bastard do anything to you.” She scratched him between the ears.
“No hurt. Dog stay.” Eod sat in front of her and let out a sad whine. “Dog protect. Dog made promise.”
Hugging the animal, she shut her eyes. There was no point in trying to deny that didn’t break her heart. “Fine, fine…”
“Yay!” Eod happily thumped his tail on the ground.
“But you have to guard the entrance to the cave. To make sure nobody sneaks in after me. Okay?” She hoped that worked. She had once threatened to maim Grinn if he ever hurt Eod, but she didn’t exactly consider the demon to be particularly predictable.
“Okay! Protect cave.” His tongue drooped out of his mouth sideways, making him look far more goofy than fearsome. She’d have it no other way.
Standing up, she took a breath and let it out. “All right. I guess I’m going in.”
“We’ll see you soon. And…good luck. We’re all counting on you.” Bert stuck out his leather glove for a hand, the straw poking out of it at odd angles.
She shook it and couldn’t help but smile. “I know, I know. Quit reminding me.”
Bert chuckled and headed off into the woods to where he had left the cart. “I have faith in you!” he called over his shoulder as he left. She had already said her goodbyes to Lina and Mirkon. Hopefully, she’d see them again soon.
“At least somebody does,” she muttered to herself as she started climbing up the rocks toward the mouth of the cave. “Stay put, Eod—I’ll be back soon.”
“Protect! Protect!”
She chuckled. She loved that dog more than words could describe. When she made it to the entrance, she peered into the darkness. Nothing greeted her except silence. “Great. Cool,” she grumbled to herself. “Find a demon in a network of caves. And not get super lost or fall into a hole and get stuck and die.”
Holding her hand up, she set it on fire, using herself as a makeshift torch as she walked inside. How was she going to find Grinn?
“This is a bad idea. A very, very bad idea.” But it was the only idea she had. The cave entrance was at least decently sized—she didn’t have to squeeze through any small rocks. She’d try to take comfort in the fact that Grinn was huge, so therefore unlikely to hide down any tiny corridors—but he could also change into a cat. So. That small glimmer of hope was also thrown right the fuck out with the rest of it.
The cave was rather unremarkable, as caves go—the walls were made of rock. And the floor. And the ceiling. And the stalactites. Or were they stalagmites? She could never remember which one was which. She hadn’t remembered in school, and she certainly didn’t remember now. Sorry, Mr. Bonover, I failed you.
The cave was also remarkably dry at least—it wasn’t moist or humid, and the air had that basement smell to it, but didn’t smell like mold. That’s all she’d need, trying to talk to Grinn and having an epic sneezing fit while she was at it.
