Lia nodded. She searched for any sign of what had happened, but the homes had been abandoned for several months. Each step brought them closer to the shadow of the mountains. The ground became more rugged and the size of the boulders were enormous, as if huge slabs of rock had broken off above and tumbled down the mountainside to rest on the valley slope. The ground became steeper, the journey more difficult as they ascended into the region. The sky was clear of any cloud, but it did not make the mood cheerful as sunlight usually did. Lia felt oppressed by the stones around her. Their massive, jagged cliff-faces seemed to mock her with her insignificance.
The look of Pry-Ree began to alter before their eyes. The brush was thinner higher up, more verdant than down below in the valley. The trees were enormous, taller than a castle wall, tall enough to rival the stars. The mountains were thick with huge pine and redwood trees. The wind became more fierce. It was not like climbing the Tor. This was a mountain, not a shallow hill. Each step burned as they walked and pushed themselves higher into the crown of trees. The day began to wane, but they ate as they walked, trying to crest the mountain before the sunlight gave way. It was colder and Lia was glad to have brought a blanket.
“Do you see that one?” Colvin asked, his voice hushed in wonder. “I have never seen a tree so thick. It would take ten men to clasp around the trunk.”
Lia saw it and marveled. The redwood was enormous, so thick around the base it would take an axeman a year to cut through it. There were no branches lower down, but high near the top the brances grew as thick as trees she had seen. It was enormous – greater even than the Sentinel oak in the woods near her home. They approached the wonder and as they did, discovered that it was not the only giant living in the forest. More trees could be seen further off, some even bigger.
“I have never seen the like,” she whispered in awe. She rubbed the bark with her hand, wondering how ancient the tree was. Ferns grew thick in the area, but nearly all the other growth was stunted compared to the formidable trees.
Higher into the mountains they went, and the trees got bigger and bigger. One was so wide at the base it would have taken thirty men to encircle it. They also discovered the skeletons of trees that had been struck by lightning and eventually collapsed. She could only imagine the crashing noise they would have made when they fell. Surely the earth would have shaken with the impact. After falling, the roots were splayed and wide open, revealing black tunnels made of soot and charcoal. It smelled familiar, like the kitchen ovens after a heavy day of baking. That same smell of ash she had grown up with. The roots of the giants were wide enough to fit them both and then add more. At last they reached the peak and the ground began descending the other way. The peaks of the mountains extended on both sides still, but the orb had led them to a hollow in between a rugged pair and then led them down the other side, where numerous fallen giants littered the woods, along with boulders and a stream.
There was one giant where the exposed roots were so deep, it was like a cave. Using the orb for light, she explored the depth and discovered that it was not the den of any animal. The burnt insides of the tree was probably not a place animals cared to dwell, but it was tall enough to stand in until the very end.
“It will be twilight soon,” Lia said, rubbing her hand against the charcoal interior. “If we go down the mountain at night, we will need the orb for light. We will probably be seen by anyone lower down. To be honest, I am tired. We covered a lot of ground today, most of it uphill.” The little den was about as comfortable a shelter as she could have hoped for.
“I am tired as well.” he said, unslinging the rucksack and setting it down. He stared at the tangle of exposed roots, his expression curious. “This is truly an ancient land. I have never seen the like and probably never will again.” He looked at her. “I have never slept inside a dead tree before. I suppose they would make good shelter.”
Lia agreed and withdew the orb and summoned its power again. Sometimes lettering appeared when it was trying to warn her. None appeared now. The orb had not changed directions for a while. “Weather in the mountains can be treacherous. Even though it is summer, it can snow or rain up in the highlands. At least we have this as shelter if that happens.”
Colvin agreed and they set about making a small camp in the hollow of the roots. They did not want to risk a fire, but just in case the temperature fell severely during the night, it would be smart to have dry wood ready and nearby. With the fallen segments, it was easy to gather enough kindling and logs, so they were gathered in before the darkness swallowed them. Sitting in the pit of the tree, they shared their meal. The wind was cool, but the giant tree carcass still clinged to the sun’s warmth.