“I told a friend that if we’re not back in fourteen days, to pack the rest of us up and go home. I’m sure they’re already questioning them.”
“Probably. What did you tell him, exactly?”
“I told him a distorted version of the truth. That you had a lead on something, and I needed you to show me. They don’t question me too much.”
I halt. “What is that?”
I squint up ahead. It looks like the tunnel narrows…or ends. It’s hard to say for sure.
Daegan steps forward, slightly ahead of me now. “Let’s check it out. Stick behind me.”
I do as he says, no questions.
He walks at a much slower, guarded pace. When we get close to what looked like the end of the cave, I realize it’s not the end at all. Not really.
The vines have gotten thicker, tangling together in the center of the cave in a million knots, blocking the way. It looks like it’s blocking a smaller tunnel entrance.
“How are we supposed to get through that?” my voice echoes through the small cavern.
He doesn’t answer. He’s looking around, his brow lowered in concentration.
“There,” he says, walking toward an open chunk of gray wall that the vines haven’t covered. “There’s writing engraved in the wall.”
“That’s not…” I step closer. “That’s an old, old language. Much older than the curse. I can’t read it. Why would someone use that?”
Feeling disheartened, I glance at Daegan.
He’s smirking.
“Because they only wanted one type of person to see it,” he says with gratification as he glances back at me.
“Can you read it?”
“Only one with the power from whence it came shall earn it.” His grin grows wider.
My face must amuse him. He’s looking at me with pure satisfaction. And I’m simply standing with my mouth agape.
“It’s the old language of the dragons. We were all taught to read and write it. Someone wanted to make sure only we could read this.”
His smile falls, and it turns into a look of awe as he looks at the engraving once more, his hand reaching out to trace a letter with his finger.
“So if the sword is here… they’re telling us that only a dragon can retrieve it. Because that’s where it was forged. In your mountains with dragon fire.”
He nods.
“Okay, then. Let’s not waste more time.” I step toward the tangle of vines.
“Ummm… no.” Daegan smirks as he approaches me, then he stands in front of me, placing his hands on my shoulders. He gently pushes me back the way we came. Farther and farther, until I’m all the way across the cavern.
“Stay back here,” he commands. “Please.”
As if he doesn’t believe I’ll obey.
“Be careful.”
He dips his chin once, and then he’s approaching the vines again. I hold my breath.
He doesn’t waste any time.
