The Grim Wanderer by James Wolf Page A

dramatic, more oppressive. Taem looked back down the mountains, taking in the breathtaking view that lay before him. Beyond the lower mountains, mile upon mile of wooded and open country was laid out for as far as the eye could see.
    ‘What a view,’ Taem said in awe.
    ‘You’d be able to see further still on a clearer day,’ Hirandar rested on her gnarled staff, out of breath from the climb. ‘Come on, it’s not far now.’
    In the early afternoon the companions came across a small valley. It was hidden from view, until they were almost on top of it. Taem thought it strange how – in contrast to the sparse, grey mountainous terrain around it – the valley was green and lush. Great forest trees grew down there, the like of which the companions had not seen in days.
    ‘This is unusual,’ Taem murmured.
    ‘Not normal indeed,’ Hirandar said, with an indifference that Taem thought was out of character.
    Taem followed the Wizard down the steep slope into the valley, this surreal oasis of trees and greenery surrounded by a desert of rock. He found it strange walking through the forested vale. Taem could hear the calls of the forest birds, and the rustle of leaves in the wind. He even glimpsed deer through the undergrowth. It was similar to every other wood that Taem had been to, but yet high up in the mountains it was extraordinary.
    Taem caught the flash of gold some way off through the trees.
    ‘Hirandar!’ Taem held up a hand and stood still. ‘Don’t move!’
    ‘What is it?’ Hirandar brought up her staff, ready to unleash a fireball spell.
    ‘I saw gold in the trees – it must be the Mountain Men!’
    ‘Oh,’ Hirandar relaxed, lowering her staff. ‘The Rhungars are no threat to us –’
    ‘They will kill us! Get down!’ Taem hauled the Wizard behind a tree stump.
    ‘Trust me, my boy,’ Hirandar gave Taem one of her knowing smiles. ‘They guard this place… but they’ll allow us to enter. They’ll be most disappointed to find you even glimpsed them. Now, let’s be moving,’ the Wizard strode off through the trees, leaving a bewildered Taem to chase after her heels.
    After a few minutes the companions reached the centre of the wooded valley, where there was a cave entrance.
    ‘This is our destination,’ Hirandar unstrapped a wooden torch from Taem’s backpack, and lit it with a swirl of her hand. The sky was overcast, and the shaded woodland was brightened by the torchlight.
    For the first few moments of light, Taem saw they were encircled by glittering gold faraway amongst the trees, until the figures retreated deeper into the shadows.
    ‘Pay them no heed, my boy.’ Hirandar tapped Taem on the shoulder. ‘They’re old friends. And they’re just curious – as would you be, if you’d been guarding this place as long as they. Follow me,’ the Wizard stepped into the cave, flaming torch in one hand, staff in the other.
    Taem trailed close behind Hirandar. His senses sharpened in the gloom. His ears caught the drip of water and the slap of boots on wet stone. His eyes flashed into the dark depths of the cave, and his nose absorbed the stale chill of the underground. Despite the cave’s natural appearance from the outside, a few feet from the entrance Taem saw steps carved into the rock, leading down into the darkness.
    ‘Watch your footing,’ Hirandar descended the stone stairway. ‘These steps may be slippery.’
    Hirandar’s torch illuminated the tunnel, shining off its rough walls. Taem brushed his hands against the tunnel walls, and felt how the rock was damp and cold. Taem tiptoed behind the Wizard, casting his gaze back up to the dim gleam of natural light. He tried not to look into Hirandar’s torch, in an effort to retain his dark vision – as Logan had taught him. After forty steps the passage levelled out. Further down the tunnel, Taem could see it opened out into a room where an eerie blue light shone.
    ‘What’s that?’ Taem strained his eyes, trying to see anything