Asa's Journey Chapter 2
Crossing the Alborassi Mountain Range
Kendle steered Asa to a flat plateau of rock on the front of Alborassi mountain range. There was a stream of water running down the edge of the plateau, and both Asa and Kendal quenched their thirsts eagerly from it. Kendle walked to the edge of the plateau and looked down. Two hundred meters below she could see the pool water which had now risen to cover all but the tallest rocks. She knew it was at its peak now, and within the hour would begin to go back down to uncover the rocks with renewed life giving vegetation top of it.
She and Asa settled down on the plateau to rest up while the water lowered enough for them to harvest some food. Kendle lay on her back facing the mountain, and peered up the face of it trying to gauge the height to the top. She guessed it must be several thousand feet from it's base to the top. It was a formidable piece of rock. Most of the face was smooth, possibly from the centuries of wind and dust blowing against it. The rocks were a mixture of purplish grey and granite in colour, and in places they sparkled with crystals embedded in them. Kendle pondered for a while, wondering why she had never explored these mountains before. Then she decided it was time to mount Asa and go down for some food before their journey continued.
Asa was flying once again, this time he swooped down to a large flat rock that was lush and green with life giving vegetation. Kendle dismounted and they both pulled at the vegetation and ate until they couldn't eat any more. Kendle then harvested some of the vegetation and stowed it in her back pack. She knew there was a long way to go and that Asa needed the energy to continue flying. She then mounted Asa and once again he walked a few steps then soared upwards looking for the first fissure between the mountain range.
About 800 meters up the mountain the first fissure was just visible, and they headed directly for it. Kendle was engrossed in the sparkle of the rocks they flew past. She had a love of beautiful stones. Within a few minutes they were at the fissure, and they got their first glimpse of the mountains towering before them. It was an awe inspiring sight. As far as they could see were mountains. Every one of them was a slightly different shade of purple and grey and all glistened with different coloured stones. Kendle was mesmerised with the sight, and vowed to return one day to fully explore the beauty of the mountains.
Asa flew onwards, having to divert and fly round several mountains to keep the course true. Eventually Kendle realised they must land soon to enable Asa to gain energy. Fortunately she could see below them a large flat looking shelf, and she directed Asa down to the ledge and dismounted. Kendle gave Asa half of the vegetation in her back pack then looked round the ledge they were on and discovered small crack in the rock face. It was just wide enough for her to get inside, and once in she was totally awe struck. In front of her were walls crammed with fabulous stones of all colours. And she could hear the sound of running water to her left. She touched the water, smelt it then tasted it with her tongue. It tasted so fresh and pure. She drank her fill, then filled a dish from her backpack and placed it just outside the crack in the rock for Asa to drink from.
It was getting late in the day now, and Kendle knew they needed to find somewhere safe on the ledge to spend the night. She came out from the crack, and explored the full length of the ledge. Near to the end of the ledge was a crease in the rock which was invisble from the front, and there would be enough room for them both to climb behind the crease to rest. She called Asa across, and as darkness fell they both lay down inside the crease and prepared for sleep.
No sooner had Kendle closed her eyes than she became aware of a strange humming noise. It seemed to come from the rock itself. She poked her head out and looked for the source of the noise. As she looked up she could see all the stones embedded in the rock glowing and fading in time with the humming noise. It was extremely beautiful to see, like coloured stars twinkling in the sky.
Then, as she watched the twinkling gems she became aware of a different noise. She couldn't quite figure it out at first, then realisation dawned on her and she quickly retreated back into the crease and woke Asa. The noise was from a swarm of giant flying ant like creatures known as Micida, each about half the length of Asa, with powerful incisor jaws strong enough to break bones in one bite.
Kendle knew there only hope was to stay silent and hope the swarm of Micida passed them by unnoticed. She and Asa stood close to the entrance, ready to move in moments if necessary to escape the jaws. The sound grew ever louder as the swarm neared their ledge. Kendle felt a jolt of fear as she realised the swarm had landed on their ledge. She peered carefully around the edge of the crease and saw them around the crack in the rock, climbing inside. There were hundreds of them, and they seethed and fought to get through the crack and into the mountain itself. Carefully Kendle retreated behind the fold, and decided once the last was inside she and Asa must leave. If they kept close to the mountain the light from the crystals should be enough for Asa to keep them safe.
It felt like an eternity before the last Micida entered the crack. But Kendle and Asa lost no time and were immediately away and in flight, flying close to the rocks to see more clearly. Kendles heart was beating franticly as she realised what a close call they had both had. Asa kept on heading around the mountain until they got to another fissure. They could see through this fissure that the mountains beyond were not as tall as those behind them, and realised the journey onwards would now be faster and more direct. Onwards they went until the sun appeared on the horizon, and Kendal at last could see the edge of the mountain range in front of them and knew that the kingdom of Alborassi lay beyond the mountains edge.
Jane Shields 18th August 2016
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