Excerpts ~ Chapter 27 ~ Toward Journey's End [Mid-chapter when the five travelers and their three dragon companions encounter beauty beyond comprehension Several miles later, the group came upon a bottleneck tunnel and had to make their way through it one-by-one. Once through, they emerged into a grand cavern, not in the sense that it was enormous, but because it was the most beautiful sight the three young adventurers had ever seen. When the stunning sight of myriad rainbow crystals, rising a mile or more upward and intersecting with like crystals from the sides and ceiling, subsided, Kimberly broke their trances. “Grandpa Merlin, Oel, I’ve never imagined such beauty. It almost makes me cry,” she said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “It is the same feeling for us,” Oel answered. “I’ve always looked forward to this spot in past visits with the Mother Perecry.” “And I as well, Oel,” Merlin said. “The panoramic splendor of the crystals is soothing to the mind and the body. The air is crisp and filled with the aroma of roses. It heightens your senses, creating a mind-relaxing euphoria.” Ian sat as still as a gargoyle, his eyes fixed and his mouth agape, feeling the full effects of the rose smells permeating the air. Kimberly leaned forward and to the side of Ian. “Ian,” she called gently, “close your mouth before something flies in.” Getting no response she pushed his chin upward to close his mouth and gain his attention. | Ian turned with a blank expression and looked directly into her eyes. “Wha . . . what’d you say, Kimberly?” “Oh, nothing, I just wanted to see if you were still with us.” Kimberly smiled. “Of course I’m with you. Where else would I be? This place is great! Those crystals gotta be bigger than any of the tallest buildings on Earth. Look at the color of that crystal,” Ian said, pointing to one that appeared to be moving, and growing before his eyes. “It’s strange, but I think I’ve seen that color once before. I got it! It came from the Perecry shard in the Hall of Crystals at the farm. This whole place must be part of the Mother Perecry. Hey, I just remembered, what about the shards from the Earth Mother Perecry and the one from the Hall of Crystals? Weren’t they supposed to come along with us from your castle, Grandpa Merlin?” Merlin smiled. “That was the plan, but plans change. I realized I could use the Earth Mother’s power to send the shards directly to the Yawnogard Mother Perecry’s injury. At the exact time of the dragon’s transportation, both shards were sent on. Their molecules scattered and fused instantly to the injured tentacle upon their contact with the Yawnogard Mother. Her healing has already started and given a burst of energy to her injured appendage. We can now concentrate on raising the larger broken spire into position for the final healing.” TOWARD JOURNEY’S END |