The Burning Rose (Chapter Five)

The Lion Carrier crawled back through the passage away from the mining camp towards Igniton at last. Though there was an alteration in the arrangement of travelers by Malcome who thought it best that Blovas fly aloft in his balloon along with Zoomer. The reason for this was that if things went awry inside Titan Tower Blovas could go get help. Blovas also made for a pair of eyes in the sky in order to scout ahead of the carrier along the way to Igniton.

Trekkor had given Malcome a map which was fed into the navigation port of the carrier for extra guidance enroute to Igniton. The fact that the new route to Igniton meant a shorter trip was complicated by the dangerous path they had to take. The ride along the dugout road up the eastside of the Mystic Mountain became more precarious the further north they went. A warning was from Blovas came through the link on the consul as Malcome was driving," I see the narrow ridge just up ahead of you about 12 klics away from your position."

Malcome slowed the Carrier before switching on advanced scanners to show on a separate screen in three-dimensional graphics the road they were on. Then the carrier hit some rough terrain to where the entire vehicle shook. A warning light came on indicating the debris caused by rockslides along the way as the tremors aboard the carrier persisted. The carrier being the tank that it was mowed down the ruble which grinded it to dust which would prove a good service for the next traveler taking this path.

Finally, the carrier came upon the ridge which wrapped around a mountain peak that extended itself a long way out.

Malcome grinded the carrier to a halt near the mountainside. Malcome then scanned the graphics that showed the narrow ridge in graphic form. The readouts showed that the carrier was much wider than the ridge. Malcome then scanned as far out as he could along the ridge until the first curvature which was extremely perilous in comparison to the width of the carrier.

"I fear that we can proceed no further in the carrier. The ridge is far too narrow for the carrier's size as in addition the weight alone could bring the vehicle crashing to its doom down the mountainside.", Malcome concluded

"Do we turn around?", Lady Styx asked

"Absolutely not my fair Styx. No, we must proceed onward so that we can at least get to Igniton before nightfall.", Malcome replied

"So, you mean to leave the carrier by the wayside in order to traverse the ridge by foot?", Plodok surmised

"We will take our steeds with us while you Inspector Plodok can ride your Ribit to the other side of the ridge.", Malcome added

The decision was unanimous as no one wanted to chance riding the carrier along the side of the mountain.

Plodok slid into the cockpit of his Ribit then scanned the mountainside with his sensors. As he performed this Malcome and Styx walked their horses over to the winding ridge. The plan was for Plodok to scale the side of the mountain along the ridge as they went while Malcome led his horse with Styx behind him leading hers.

Blovas oversaw everything from his balloon with Zoomer using his telescopic telescope. Zoomer would use the communicator to stay in touch with Malcome to inform him of anything Blovas saw that could be a danger to them.

Plodok had little problem scaling the side of the mountain with his Ribit. Plodok would plot a course with his sonic scanner to properly detect loose rock so he could avoid the Ribit from slipping off. As it went Plodok took point in his Ribit rider waited for the other two as he scanned ahead. Then when the others caught up to his location, he went ahead once again to take the point. It was slow but steady traversing the ridge, but progress was steady as well as sure with no dangerous outcomes.

The first bend was approaching it was rather sharp warned Plodok from his Ribit.

Malcome was just about to lead Stridor around the bend of the ridge when Zoomer's voice came on the communicator," It might be nothing, but Blovas has spotted a group of Wyverns heading south near your location."

"How many?", Malcome asked

Zoomer took a moment while Blovas counted the Wyvern then he replied," There are eight of them."

"That is a hunting pack, anything close to or above twelve means danger.", Malcome relayed

"I have them on my radar they will be flying parallel to us as they pass. We are high above as well as out in the open which makes us easy prey for the Wyvern.", Plodok disclosed.

Styx took out what looked like a small wooden wand from inside of her pouch saying, "I am ready for them if they think were easy prey."

Malcome did bring his laser pistol as well as his sword this time around though the Wyvern were deadly in the air it would be best to avoid them if possible.

"Blovas, can you provide us with cloud cover once we walk the long stretch", Malcome asked

"My altitude is too high, my clouds rise they do not fall.", Blovas answered back

Malcome could ask Blovas to descend his balloon but that would place him in jeopardy as well. In addition, Malcome thought that Blovas was more valuable as a scout as well as back up.

"Well, keep me posted as to the Wyverns position ...we are going to press ahead for the moment.", Malcome told Blovas as he led Strider around the curve of the ridge.

Malcome barely had to lead Stridor around the curve of the ridge yet as he looked back, he noticed that Styx was not following his lead.

Malcome called back to lady Styx," Is anything the matter?"

'I...I'm...sorry sir my horse won't budge... he's scared to go round. I am so sorry.", Styx worriedly replied back.

"Have you offered any of his treats to him?", Malcome asked

"The beats are right under his nose, yet he pulls away! He's petrified to go around the curve!", Styx explained

Once Malcome pulled Strider around the curve he walked back on his on to help Styx get her horse around.

"I'm coming to help! Hold on!", Malcome told Styx as he went back around the curve.

Though just as Malcome started back around he heard a number of loud shrieks in the distance.

It was the Wyvern attack cry.

Zoomer came in on the communicator, "You've been spotted! The Wyvern are flying in your direction!"

Malcome replied back in as calm a voice as he could," I am having other problems at the moment. Though I thank you nonetheless."

Malcome was one of the finest horsemen in all of Eternia he knew the animal like the back of his hand. The horse was not that much unlike himself, Malcome thought they did not like uncertainty, there bond was sacred and they always saw things through to the end. However, the horse much like Malcome was single minded with not a lot of hindsight or foresight they just went for it. In the moment which was the way in which Malcome operated in the present.

Malcome made eye contact with Clapper immediately giving the animal something to focus on. Malcome was a friend to Clapper so the animal would trust him. Malcome had to distract Clapper from the fear he was feeling that was the obstacle which was preventing his progress. Malcome in a calming voice told Clapper," Hut, Hut come on boy you can do it." then Malcome walked back words while leading Clapper with left hand while holding the mountain side with his right hand feeling behind him. This in turn kept Clapper as close to the wall as he could get while following Malcomes voice.

"Stay back until I get Clapper around.", Malcome said as he staired at the horse while backtracking around the curve. All the fear in the animal had left it now, there was only trust.

No sooner had Malcome brought Clapper around then Strider neighed a warning to him. When Malcome turned away from Clapper to look out over the mountain he saw the flying reptiles veering straight for him!

"I am hesitant to use my sonics against them for fear a rockslide!", Plodok pleaded

Then as Malcome drew his laser pistol from the holster on his belt he saw the Wyvern split apart! Malcome now saw four Wyvern coming at him while the other four went at Styx!

Malcome was always a better at short range fighting then he was at blasting things from the air, yet he had to shoot at the Wyvern give them pause in attacking maybe even scare them off!

Malcome shot of three blasts down the middle!

Malcome shots grazed one while the other dodged one missed! Fortunately, the laser was enough to break up the Wyverns attack on him!

Then a fireball erupted from around the curve of the ridge where Styx was at! The blast fell all four Wyvern! As a result, all four Wyvern shot by Styx fire blast crashed down the mountainside in trails of burnt smoke! The screams of agony from their fellow Wyvern resulted in the rest flying off in other pursuits less lethal to them!

Styx took her opportunity to make her way around the curve of the ridge as Malcome calmed Clapper.

Then something alarmed Stridor as Styx as almost around the other side. There was the rancid smell of burnt flesh then some kind of scratching on the mountainside. Then the loud shriek was heard just before the injured Wyvern was seen climbing up to come in-between Styx and her salvation!

Styx started to back away from the creatures gnashing razor sharp beak which also hid tiny razor thin teeth!

Immediately, Malcome yelled at the Wyvern to get its attention away from Styx! The creature turned to shriek at Malcome in defiance as it clung to the rock face! Malcome came at the creature not with his laser pistol but with his broad sword as he stealthily unsheathed it from its scabbard!

Malcome struck downward at the Wyverns clasping arm which kept it attached to the mountainside! Malcomes sword cut clean through half of the leathery wing as well as its clawed hand!

Then somehow the creature managed to still hang on with its other claw!

Malcome though that this may be the leader of the Wyvern hunting party because it was so relentless.

"Take my hand lady Styx!", Malcome said as he extended his hand towards the fire witch.

As Styx quickly did as she was instructed Malcome helper her to the other side as the Wyverns struggles eventually gave way to the gravity of its plight. There was a long screeching shout as the Wyvern fell off the ridge!

Traversing to the other side of the ridge took some time but eventually it was accomplished.

The rest of the way forward led through a vast stretch of forest which would lead to a large river. Om the other side of that river was the outer territory of Igniton which would become a combination of forest as well as volcanic rock. In order to make up for lost time the Eternians took to their steeds to press onward while Plodok hopped along with them in his Ribit. In his balloon Blovas along with Zoomer followed on high their eyes in the sky.

Igniton as well as answers awaited the Eternians on their quest to find the hidden valley as well as rescue Prince Trace.