The group looked around the cluster of rocks they were sitting on and the rocky ground around them. A few feet away, several stones jutted out of the side of a small hill.
Marl kicked away some of the colorful leaves, revealing more stoney ground. “Don’t think any of us are going to find this all the restful.”
“Could have Chuck flatten out and be a meat bed.” Whyth chuckled.
“Hey!”
“I know Whyth was joking, but is it even a consideration, Chuck?” Marl asked.
“It doesn’t work that way. I’d be in pain from you on top of me and the rocks below me.”
“As long as I’m comfortable, I can live with that.” Whyth quipped.
Rahmys cleared her throat. “A little seriousness would be helpful.”
“Thank you,” Chuck nodded at Rahmys. “What direction do we need to head to get to that magical spring thing?”
“Dunno,” Rahmys answered with a shrug. “Vassyn kept the whereabouts quiet. Graff had an idea, but he hadn’t shared that with me yet. All I know is there is some sort of gate, and only three can go past that gate at a time.”
“Three, why just three?” Marl beat Chuck to the question.
Rahmys shrugged again. “Dunno that either. Three pass the gate, and if one comes out or dies, it’s still a couple of days before it resets to allow anyone else in. Now, back to the question at hand--where are we going to sleep?”
“We did just leave tunnels and rooms.” Chuck looked back at the ladder they’d all used.
“Do we want to risk that?”
“I’d rather not, Whyth, but what other options do we have?” Rahmys pointed out.
“Could stay at mine.”
The group jumped. Marl pulled out his daggers. Rahmys and Whyth stood ready to cast. Chuck looked them over and groaned at his lack of readiness.
“Jumpy lot now, aren’t you.”
“Show yourself,” Marl called out.
Chuck’s gasp harmonized with everyone else when two brown eyes appeared on the rocks on the hill.
“Rockbound,” Whyth whispered.
“Where?” the stone asked, followed by a rumbled laugh.
“Sorry, it’s not every day you find out a children’s story is more than a story.” Rahmys’ voice had a dash of awe.
“I shock you, but you find a walking mound of lumpy meat normal?”
“Hey! ”
Marl guffawed. “Gotten used to him. You’re a new one to us. What did you mean by we could stay at yours?”
The eyes blinked, then widened. " That’s more like it. Looking for a safe sleep? Mergrex can share his with you. Cost you storytime; Mergrex doesn't hear stories anymore."
The group continued to stare at the wispy, translucent figure. His friends' wide eyes and open mouths let Chuck know there was something special about Mergrex.
"Rockbound," Whyth whispered again.
"Yes, hard to believe," Rahmys answered
"Why hard to believe? Mergrex is here in front of you."
Marl nodded. "You are, no doubt about it. Just, well, your kind are rare to us. Nearly mythical."
The gray, wrinkled face vanished into the stone to pop out elsewhere, his mouth close to Marl's ear. "Mergrex didn't think about that. Rare?" A ghost of a hand appeared to stroke his pointy chin. "Mergrex likes that, but Mergrex is real. A small cave is not far, and all of you can share it."
Chuck tugged at Rahmys’ sleeve and whispered. "Can we trust it?"
Everyone flinched as Chuck screamed, startled by the sudden appearance of Mergrex's craggy face right in front of him.
"You question Mergrex and his integrity? You know nothing of the Rockbound. The offer of help is no more!"
Whyth waved his hand. "Wait, Mergrex! Chuck is new to this world and truly knows nothing about many things. Those of us here who do know of your kind also know that your word is as solid as the rocks you are bound to."
Mergrex's wrinkled face softened, and he reappeared in front of Chuck, his form flickering slightly. "Mergrex understands. Apologies for the outburst, young one. It is not common for Rockbound to interact with outsiders, and mistrust can be expected. But Mergrex will prove his intentions."
With a slow, deliberate movement, Mergrex extended a spectral hand towards Chuck. "Take Mergrex's hand, and you will feel the truth within."
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Chuck hesitated momentarily, glancing at his companions' expectant faces. Curiosity and a glimmer of trust sparked within him, overriding his initial doubt. He reached out and gingerly grasped at Mergrex's ethereal hand. Chuck felt it shift to become cool and hard, taking the form of pliant stone.
A surge of warmth spread through Chuck's body, tingling his fingertips. Images and emotions flooded his mind, revealing glimpses of Mergrex's ancient memories. He saw the Rockbound's dedication and their unyielding sense of honor. Then the world went red, and fire burned him from inside out—the scream that bounced in his head came from his mouth and one other. He shuddered when the pain increased, then lessened when he bounced across the stoney ground.
The connection severed with a jarring punch between his shoulder blades. Chuck’s vision cleared. He looked up at the blue-tinged leaves on a tree, a rock poking him where he’d felt the punch. A scurrying of feet announced someone headed his way. Within seconds, Marl's concerned green face blocked his vision from seeing anything else.
“Chuck! You okay?” Marl dropped to his knees.
The genuine concern on Marl’s face caught Chuck by surprise. His voice cracked as he answered. “I’m okay, not sure what just happened. Is Mergrex okay?”
“Mergrex is fine.” The Rockbound’s warm, rumbling tone sounded a little pained. “You, young one, have experienced great pain, and Mergrex was not ready to feel that from you.”
“Pain?” Rahmys asked.
Chuck took Marl’s offered hand and got up, stepping over to a rock he could sit on. “Emotional or physical pain, Mergrex?”
“Is not all physical pain also emotional? In the spirit of your question, I believe the correct answer would be physical—your legs, primarily.”
Chuck nodded. “If my experience is a guide. That was the pain of my legs being torn apart by the shredder. I felt it, too, more than what I recall. Maybe Whyth’s magic shielded me from the worst of it, the pain that is—death being the worst of it all.”
Mergrex hovered next to Chuck. “Mergrex must apologize for bringing that back to you. I sensed such a thing and curiosity drove me to explore that which I should not have.”
Chuck shook his head. “There is nothing to apologize for. It is what it is.”
A grunt accompanied Mergrex’s glower. “Young one, do not dismiss an apology. It diminishes the one offering the apology if you belittle it and, in doing so, leave it unaccepted.”
Wide-eyed and stammering, Chuck responded. “I didn’t mean…I accept your apology. Never would I want to diminish you. Before the pain hit, I saw and understood the integrity and depth of who you are, and I am humbled to have experienced it.”
Mergrex’s chuckle vibrated the stone Chuck sat on.
“You have learned quickly. Mergrex would like to share something else with you to make amends for the pain we shared. I saw much of who you are before the pain overcame us. Mergrex has magic you can absorb.” Once again, the shimmering form offered out a nearly substantial hand.
This time, the surge of warmth carried an assurance of safety and calmness. A slight tingle tickled at Chuck’s palm.
<
Yes, absorb Stone Walker.
<
Crap. Need to find out if there is a way I can keep more spells active other than leveling up.
A gentle warmth flowed through his body. Much better to absorb this way. Wonder if it’s because Mergrex gave it to me instead of me just, well, taking it? Chuck felt a pull to use the new magic.
“Stone Walker, Phase Shifter? Thank you! Now, before I go getting myself in trouble, what does it do?” Chuck asked.
Mergrex’s shadowy fist solidified and knocked on the stone Chuck sat on. “Phase Shifter covers the lower levels of the spell’s abilities. You can take on a phased form and slip through stone. You won’t have any substance, only a slight outline of yourself in this form. Do not assume that you may pass unseen. Anyone paying the slightest attention will see a shadowy form slip in and out of the stone. Any being able to see into stone will notice you moving through it. When you experience resistance, you must exit within a few seconds or become part of the very stone yourself—practice on a thin wall or just a step into a rock.
“The more experience you have, the longer it will last, and eventually, you will progress to Solidification Mastery. You’ll walk through stone without phasing—you’ll have a body the stone flows around you instead of you flowing in the stone. Increased duration, but there is still a limit. At the highest levels, you will move as Rockbound does through stones without the worry of becoming trapped.” Mergrex smiled and crossed his arms.
Marl whistled. “I know a few stone manors we could visit when we’re done. We could retire early and wealthy.” His laugh and smile at Chuck’s sputtering spread through the group. “Don’t get ya self all worked up. I’m not up for that type of activity other than when it’s a matter of survival.”
“Good to know, “ Chuck nodded, “Good to know. This is more than I can thank you for Mergrex.”
“It is good, and you are welcome young one. May it aid you in your quest to find a way home, and if it doesn’t, may it keep you alive and allow you to visit Mergrex again.”
“That is something I look forward to. However, if I recall, before I rudely offended you, you commented that we might stay in a nearby cave. Is that offer open again? And in case I didn’t do this formally, I am deeply sorry to have ever doubted your word.”
Mergrex nodded, a sense of satisfaction emanating from his translucent form. "Apologies accepted, young one. Mergrex knows that trust must be earned. Now, let us seek shelter in the nearby cave. It will provide respite from the dangers of the night."
With a sense of unity and newfound trust, the group followed Mergrex toward the cave.
When they entered the cave, they found a modest but secure space sheltered from the elements. Mergrex conjured a soft, ambient glow, casting gentle light on the group.
Rahmys shared some dried meat she picked up at the tavern, and they all relaxed, caught up in their own silent thoughts.
Whyth cleared his throat, bringing everyone’s glance at him. “I believe we owe Mergrex some stories.”
The Rockbound’s hands clapped together. The loud crack surprised the room. “Sorry, friends. In Mergrex’s excitement, I allowed my hands to gain substance. It has been many days since Mergrex heard any news. The Bythnahr severed my connection with the other Rockbound when they diverted the magic flows.”
“So, their actions to weaken this area hurt you too?” Chuck asked.
“Aye, this is true. The magic source is dammed up and Mergrex can’t go through some of the stone I have traveled in the past. The marshes have risen and keep me from journeying to the source.”
“You could guide us to the source?” Rahmys leaned forward.
“Nay, not the source. To the edge of the marsh leading to the source, that Mergrex can. The water breaks my connection with the stone, and I cannot step into the marsh for fear of being no more.”
“Good reason not to go in.” Marl mused. “We want to discover a way to reopen the source, so any help you can give us would be welcome.”
Mergrex nodded his agreement to help. “It is a good thing for you to try. Mergrex will lead you.”
Rahmys tried to hide a yawn behind her hand. Whyth fell victim and yawned with her.
“Ah, tonight Mergrex will ask for no stories. Those can be shared on our walk tomorrow. Rest now," Mergrex urged, his voice carrying a soothing tone. "In this sanctuary, you are protected. Mergrex will share stories. You must let the tales of the Rockbound lull you into a peaceful sleep."
As the group settled down, their eyes heavy with exhaustion, Mergrex shared stories. Chuck forced his eyes to remain open, fascinated by the history of the Rockbound. The gentle snores of his new friends and the soothing tone of Mergrex’s stories motivated Chuck to surrender to sleep.