Isobella had donned her battle dress once again for a trek up the mountain. In the weeks since the earthquake the mountain had become at the very least traversable. It was all thanks to Drasna, building her share of bridges and the other monks clearing the rubble out of the way. Isobella’s head swiveled around admiring the bridges her beloved monk had put together, they got better the higher up they went. Peering down the mountain she could see the mix of red, yellow, and brown leaves on all the trees.A cool autumn breeze blasted her in the face, taking her breath away and causing her to cough. Drasna quickly took hold of the noble's shoulders and sat her down on a nearby boulder.

  “You ok? Those wind blasts can get pretty bitter as it gets closer to winter.”

  Isobella caught her breath, “I’m fine, I think I need a break though.”

  “No problem!”

  Drasna sat next to Isobella on the rock, allowing her to rest her head on her muscular shoulder. The noble sighed and continued to enjoy the scenery, she always enjoyed the fall. The changing of colors, and all the delectable crops that grew during this time, especially her blackberries. At that thought, she took out a leather pouch filled to the brim with her perfect berries, before popping several into her mouth. She pointed the pouch at Drasna to offer her some, but the monk had seemingly become distracted.

  Drasna inquired, “Is that a new cave?”

  Isobella leaned forward to look where the blond was pointing and sure enough, there was an opening, tucked away behind a tree. It would’ve been easy to miss if it hadn’t been pointed out to her, but now that she’d seen it, she grew perplexed. The earthquake had most likely shifted the rocks, but for a cave to be as high up as they were meant it was man made. She felt a pit grow in her stomach as she turned to Drasna, who looked back at her with excited eyes.

  Isobella scowled, "Absolutely not.”

  “Aw c’mon it’ll be an adventure!”

  “Last time you and I went on an adventure, you got kidnapped by a spider.”

  “True, but you also got a new silk supplier right? How’s that going by the way?”

  “Ellma has until the end of the week to comply, and don’t think changing the subject will change my mind.”

  “Please, I’ll be extra careful and I’ll hold your hand this time.”

  Isobella gave up, she could tell Drasna already had her heart set on another impromptu adventure. She stood up and put the berries away before holding out her hand. Drasna eagerly accepted it and led her into the cave. The cave was nothing extraordinary for the first couple of feet, but the walls rapidly started to turn to crystal. First a few gem specks lined the walls, then large chunks came into view, before the entire cave was a mix of multi-colored glowing gems. It was more rare to find mundane rocks and pebbles.

  Isobella could feel strong magic all around her, she knew a cave like this was too good to be true, it had to be an illusion, or trick, perhaps even a fae trap. Yet every avenue had flaws in logic, so she decided to accept the cave for what it was for now. Drasna bent down and picked up a shard of purple amethyst. She smiled and placed it in her traveling bag.

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  “I’m gonna keep this to remind me of you, even if we’re apart.”

  Isobella giggled and reached for a green shard of similar size, “Then I suspect I will do the same. I do hope I won’t have to use it very often however.”

  “See, this adventure is already going better than the last one.”

  Isobella scoffed, “That remains to be seen, but I don’t mind if we go deeper.”

  Drasna continued to lead Isobella deeper into the cave. They stopped to admire a few crystal formations, and laugh at a few that acted as fun house mirrors. Isobella, despite her reluctance, was having a good time, until she felt something off. An ominous pressure was coming from deeper into the cave. Rather than run, she felt the urge to explore more. It was too close to the chateau and her beloved Drasna’s friends. She marched forward, tugging Drasna along with her.

  Upon entering a wide chamber both girls heard the grinding of rock on rock, as a hulking figure put itself together in front of them. A large crystal golem creature stared down at them both, asking no questions it attacked. Its heavy arm slammed down, but Drasna picked up Isobella and leapt out of the way. As the dust of shattered crystals shimmered in the air, Isobella covered Drasna’s mouth.

  “No fire breathing, that dust will be like mini daggers if you inhale too deeply.”

  Drasna cracked her knuckles, “Noted, I’ll stick to punches, you know I can break bricks right?”

  Drasna moved in close, careful to avoid the dust cloud and drove a flaming fist into the mass of the rock's leg. The monk smirked as a chunk broke off the golem, she followed up with a flurry of blows to the same spot. The relentless attack caused the golem’s leg to crack and eventually shatter. The golem collapsed into the ground kicking up more dust, which Drasna backs away to avoid.

  “Your turn Izzy.”

  Isobella pouted, she was enjoying the show of Drasna breaking rocks with her fists, it looked like she was having fun too. She held out her hand and flicked two of her fingers sending two bolts of purple magic into the rock monster. The monster roared and lifted its own arm, the shape quickly shifted into a sharp dart before firing it at the noble. Drasna stepped between Isobella and the crystal javelin, catching it in mid air and throwing it back with a spin. The redirected attack pierced the living crystal mass, which made it fall apart completely.

  Isobella felt her cheeks burn hot and turn pink from witnessing Drasna deflect the attack. She pulled the monk’s arm into a hug and kissed her cheek, but that eerie pressure pulled her attention away again. She waited for the dust to settle completely before continuing her investigation.

  At the far end of the cave sat a single black rose with red thorns, it was fully encased in several layers of crystals. Isobella didn’t know what it was, but could tell it was something that shouldn’t be messed with. She took out the green crystal she snatched and placed it on the ground, then looked at Drasna to do the same.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “Leave the crystal, it could be important to keep this thing sealed.”

  “Sealed? It’s just a flower though?”

  “At a glance perhaps, but it feels…evil, and I don’t like it!”

  Drasna cocked her head, “Are you sure-”

  Isobella snapped, “Yes I’m sure! Leave it here! I’m putting my foot down!”

  Drasna removed the crystal from her bag and placed it next to Isobella’s, “Alright, I’m sorry. If it has you so concerned, it must be for a good reason.”

  “I want you and your friends to seal this cave back up too…please!”

  Drasna nodded and held Isobella’s hands in her own, “No problem, you clearly know something I don’t, I trust you.”

  “Thank you, and I’m sorry for snapping at you.”