Chapter 267: First steps
As expected, there were no writings on the deepest cavern’s walls. Not even a scribble.
Arabella moved along the walls and felt them once more, their touch rekindling a strange and strained sense of danger and helplessness.
Silas, Cynric, Cherreka and everyone else stood back to watch as she studied the stone barriers surrounding them.
"It is settled then," Cherreka half asked.
"I suppose it is," Arabella looked at her, "If these caverns were occupied by your ancestors for as long as you claimed, then there should be a trace of it here," she marked a pause during which her eyes skimmed the walls once more, "My guess is something happened in the two hundred years between the completion of Enocs’ diary and your birth six hundred years ago that made your ancestors leave this practice behind,"
"I suppose that part of history will remain lost," Cynric walked forward, closer to her, prompting Silas to do the same, "You can rest. She’s safe," the Alpha stopped in his tracks just to share that thought.
Still, Silas moved between her and the wolf man.
"Tsk...This is quite the predicament," Cynric didn’t comment on the situation again and instead turned his attention towards the walls of the cavern.
"If I may ask," Arabella murmured, "What was it that convinced you these caverns belonged to your people? Why did you hold that belief?"
No response... Instead, Cynric turned around, offering Cherreka a darkened glare. From that alone, the young woman understood she’d have to live without the answer to her latest inquiry.
"Where do we go from here?" the old woman addressed that question to the Alpha.
Cynric said nothing, but his clenched jaws spoke loud enough. The tension that ran through his muscles almost palpable, Arabella had the good sense to step further behind Silas.
"As long as you don’t bar the region’s people from celebrating the spring equinox, it doesn’t really matter what you do," the vampire’s voice filled the silent void around them.
It was bold of him, considering he stood alone on foreign territory. Arabella’s fingers curled around his vest as a result.
"I’ll ask for your input someday, silver blood sucker, but not today so don’t push your luck," Cynric retained none of the amused air he usually donned.
"It doesn’t matter. I will be writing about our findings today to the syndicate so whoever you ask for input from better answer you fast," Silas on the other hand had his gaze soldered on the Alpha.
For a moment, nothing was said and Cynric’s azure eyes slowly drifted towards Silas. Upon connection, there still was nothing other than silence that still occupied the cavern.
Arabella could hear none of their hearts but she was sure none of theirs sat a regular rhythm.
The tautness was only broken when her meek voice resonated again. Clearing her throat, she caught both of the men’s attention, "I don’t think you or your people need to relocate if that is what worries you, but I think the first step to make is to invite Liriel and her fairies. She’d been the one to raise the issue to Silas in the first place,"
"What would I invite her for?" Cynric’s words were directed towards her, but his eyes stuck to Silas.
"Just a courtesy," she started, "Fairies are the fairest and most forgiving bunch, starting with them would be a good foot forward. Not to mention, she still thinks you are a savage," at those words Arabella completely ducked behind Silas.
The harsh faces that met her in response did not quell her fears until Cherreka’s laugh blared aloud.
"Oh! I love this girl!" she took a breath, "I truly wish you’d change your mind and stay with us. I am growing too old for my own people’s company, I am afraid,"
"I am sorry," Arabella gave her an apologetic smile.
Just then, shuffling came from the end of the tract. The footsteps grew louder before two additional figures appeared in the pocket, carrying tree bark shaped like plates.
Arabella couldn’t see from that far yet, but off the plates escaped thick waves of steam.
"Right, I do hope you’ll enjoy the dinner we’ve prepared for you," Cherreka walked towards them and took one of the wooden plates.
"What is it?" the young woman asked, standing on her tippy toes to see.
"Squeadlle meat," Cherreka chirped, "You were right, it is so rich, the difference is like night and day after eating it,"
"That is great!" Arabella nodded, a strained smile plastered on her.
"Settle down. I hope you are hungry,"
"Oh... I cannot eat squeadlle meat," Arabella shook her head.
"But it is cooked!" Remus chimed in and ran to her side.
"Well...," she grimaced, "That is not the issue," she tilted her head, torn inside by the big wide, glistening eyes he peered at her with, "It is rich. A little too rich for a human’s body to handle. I found this out when I was reading in order to translate the writings. Squeaddle meat might kill me,"
"Oh dear...," Cherreka cleared her throat, "And here we wanted to be welcoming for once,"
If it wasn’t for the knots entangling her guts, Arabella would have burst into laughter seeing the looks on every one of their faces.
"It’s alright," she smiled, "I should have made a mention of it,"
"If that is all then we will be on our way," Silas took Arabella’s hand but didn’t move for a few seconds.
"So soon?" Remus’ pleading eyes as he clung to her dress wrenched her heart.
"Stand straight!" Cynric growled at him, "And stop begging or I’ll-"
Cynric stopped speaking when Arabella’s figure blocked him from Remus.
"What? I can’t even scold my own son now? I take it all back you are a terrible influence on him," he clicked his tongue against his palate.
Although he clearly wished to come across as assertive, his eyes still betrayed him when they landed on her brooch for the shortest of seconds.