Wandering through the cave, torches barely illuminated the mossy cave. Footsteps echoed throughout the cave as they continued to traverse to the other side. Wooden beams held up the cave saving them for instant death. They followed the rust covered track. Abandoned coal and other ores littered the old cave. “Any day now this cave will crumble,” Erix touches the seemingly broken support beam uncovering layers of dust.

“I would hate to climb these mountains if this cave ever collapsed” Celest exclaim as she skips along the path. “Well travellers would have to get used to it. No nobles, merchants would travel this way. So its not likely that it would be fixed,” Celest hum back at his statement. Water leak from the ceiling meaning there was probably an underground water source.

Time trickle past as they made their way further into the mine shaft. Eventually, they made they way to outpost that miners would have stayed during breaks. Celest eyes locked on some shines as she sprinted over. “Were going to a merchant town, right?”

“Yeah, it’s not the biggest but it’s up there,” Erix replied .

“We are going to need money.”

“Yes, that would help,” before Erix could continue Celest dash off further into the cave. He was hit with a wave of panic; he slightly curses that she was so silent on her feet. The soft greenish glow of the mushrooms guided his way through the cave.

“Celest!” His voice echoed down the tunnels, but no voice returned. When he gets his hands on her she will be dead he thinks as his stomps further in. Ever so often a droplet of water fell on him filling him with anxiety. If this cave collapsed on him, he was dead for sure.

“Celest, I swear if you don’t come back, I’m leaving you here,” he didn’t know why his heart ached a bit at the thought of leaving her.

It seemed like forever as it wandered around in a maze that was the mineshaft, it all looked the same.

“Erix!”

Erix let himself to release the tension he built and turned to the troublemaker.

“Celest, why did you think it was a good idea to run off?”

She sharply faces towards Erix, hand full of expensive jewels. “This would make us some cash, right?” She smirked down at the jewels. “Yes, that would make us more than some cash Celest.” He sighs as he turns around to head to the exit. He kept a close eye on Celest the whole way back.

///

Covering her eyes, they step outside into the bright light of the sun as it was at its peak. In the distance the crowded town of Asin laid on the horizon. It was kind of pretty from a distance, but she could smell the rotten flesh from here already. The path from the mining shaft to Asin had long faded from no use. It has probably been a couple of months since anyone went this way. Carefully, they made their way through the long itchy grass towards an actual road. ‘Man, this sucks’ Celest remarks.

Soon the faint chatter of some travellers guides them to the main road to Asin. Emerging from the grass, they look upon the gates of Asin. Stone walls loomed over them as vines climbed to the top. Upon the wall were guards scanning the land for threats. Chatter and laughter surrounded them as they moved closer towards the gate. Celest knew that Asin was larger than any village she has been to, but this wasn’t the largest town? She was shell shocked as a massive group of people entered the gates as they creaked open. This was going to be hell.

Reaching to the front, a guard with raven hair stops them. “Good day sir,” his eyes wander to Celest, “and hello young miss.”

“Good morning, sir,” Celest replied as she gave him a large smile. “May I ask your business here?” Erix saw others walk straight in; he hoped their horrendous story worked. “Oh, me and my lovely brother here are just going to sell some miscellaneous items.”

Studying the merchants, he huffed and allowed them to enter. “How did that work?” Erix whispered very concerned of the lack of security. “I have no idea,” Celest stared at Erix also questioning carelessness of the young guard. Lamps hanged above them with carts and makeshift shops surround them. Sweet smelling pastries, mouth watery fresh meat and many other goodies caught Celest eyes. Maybe it wasn’t going to be awful after all.