The area they arrived to was a clearing concealed on all sides by thick tree growth and underbrush, at the base of several large boulders that stood a couple dozen feet tall from their base. There was no fire or light to speak of, but there were several places that were obviously used as fire pits, around which groups of figures had set their bedrolls. There were several visible caches of crates and other storage containers, and a set aside area that looked like a makeshift kitchen on the far side of the clearing. There also appeared to be several improvised archery targets set against trees to the side of the kitchen.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
As they came within a short distance of the clearing, one of the other members of their escort in the front make a faint chirping sound with his mouth, which was copied by something a short distance ahead. Immediately after, nearly a dozen shapes rose out of the undergrowth ahead of and around them, taking Jack so far off guard that he nearly jumped a few feet. The fact that they had been within mere feet of the camp"s guards without him knowing it further reinforced just how out of his depth he was in stealthy situations like this. He was going to have to work on that.
The guards greeted their group, exchanging handshakes and a few hugs, talking in low whispers to one another for several long moments. Finally, one of the guards seemed to notice that they had visitors, and motioned to them before saying something inaudible to Urien. Jack strained to hear Urien"s response, but couldn"t make out the words before the man gestured to the three of them, and then pointed towards the boulders to the side of the camp. The man nodded, and then waved for Jack and the girls to follow him. Jack hesitated, as did the girls, until Urien said "He"s taking you to Farien and I"s quarters. Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable. We will be there shortly, and we can set up where you will be staying then."
The three of them followed the guard into the camp, past several of the firepit circles to the boulders. When they got close, Jack realized these weren"t just free-standing stones, but were actually the mouth of some sort of cave. The guard walked inside and motioned for them to follow.
The cave mouth stood perhaps a dozen feet high, and was about as wide as it was tall. They followed the guard inside for about fifty paces before they arrived at a fork. Here the guard pointed to each fork and explained "the left is Urien"s, the right is Farien"s. You"re welcome to either. Both are capable of having a fire inside them safely, so Urien has asked me to tell you to feel free to start one should you feel the need."
Jack thanked the man, and after a short deliberation with Rose and Madeleine picked Urien"s side of the cave. They followed the fork another twenty or so paces as it gently sloped further underground. Even this slight shift in depth was enough to palpably shift the temperature in the cave from cool to chilly. At the end of the small pa.s.sageway, they found the way was blocked by a large fur pelt hung over the pa.s.sageway. When Jack pulled the fur to the side, he was astonished.
The corridor immediately beyond the fur drape expanded into a roughly rectangular chamber, perhaps twenty or so feet deep, and a little less wide than it was long. The cave walls appeared to have been shaped and painted, the room had a wood floor, several unlit lanterns hung from the ceiling, and to the left there was a full fireplace built into the cave wall. On the far side was a raised bed covered with furs, and to the right, a wooden writing desk.
"Wow." Rose said, after a long moment of taking everything in. "This is not what I expected at all."