Pretty Stones

"You know, when you said stone gardens...' began Jorrik, but his voice trailed away into nothing as he and the rest of the fellowship gazed around the glistening beauty of the garden. From as far as their eyes could see through the dim, crystals of the deepest and clearest colours grew. They crept up around the sides of the ordinary stone walls and pillars like vines and weeds.

Majvoc stooped down to the path that would take them through the garden. In little clumps, like grass, red ruby-like stones grew. It was all around them. Even in the air, the light would occasionally catch the surface of tiny, super thin crystals that floated delicately through the air.

Majvoc discretely snapped a shard from the ground and pocketed it.

'So what 'spooooky' dangers are in these caves, then?' asked Majvoc, acting as if nothing had happened.

'My fist will be going in your cave in a minute,' threatened Balar.

'Ooft,' said Majvoc, 'Not until marriage, sorry.'

'Shut up,' whispered Ifran, 'This is a most sacred place.'

'We could do the marriage here if you like,' said Majvoc.

'Truly,' said Tiella, slightly exasperated, 'What kind of dangers might await us here?'

Ifran looked over the edge of the path. They were walking on what was almost like a road, with sleek black stone cobbles carving a path through the crystal fields. Perhaps once the path might have looked fresh and well kept. But now it had cracks and crumbling sides where the crystal fields were trying to reclaim their lost territory.

'We've only heard whispers of what might lurk in the depths of these gardens. Our path should take us around only the outermost region of Etheril. But the garden is said to go on for miles under the mountain.'

'So we don't stray from the path, sounds easy,' said Luna hopefully, although everyone else seemed to remain prepared for the worst.

'We have an old proverb,' continued Ifran, 'Look not into Ethril, for what might look back will kill.'

'Couldn't have known about this before we got down here, no?' said Majvoc, now slightly nervously playing with the knife on his belt.

'Come, if we are quick we can make good time to the edge of the garden,' said Ifran finally, and starting forward on the path again.

Majvoc hung at the back of the group. When he was sure no-one was watching him, he pulled the shard out his pocket. All he saw in the crystal was his reflection. At least, he thought it was his reflection...