The Watchers Prompt 1

Vaskil gulped as she looked over the precipice. The caves before had felt claustrophobic at times, but the sudden openness of the chasm below was another kind of unnerving. It wasn't right, vayrons like them so high up - well, low, she thought. But even so.

Steeling herself, she continued to pick her way along the narrow path. She drew her feet softly over the stone, making sure to test the solidity of the ground beneath before each step. The cold seeped into her fur - not the brisk, sharp cold of home, but a damp cold that seemed to go straight through her fur and into her bones. This wasn't helped by the dark - unlike the previous territories, very few crystals grew here; only small ones could be found in the passageways. This left little to focus on but the path ahead, and the chasm below.

She shook herself. It was no use dwelling on this, she thought - surely these passageways would have an end soon. She'd split with Cardamom and [Helper NPC] over a day ago, as they turned to head to the next clan. It was on her to find the watchers and assist them - something that would be significantly easier if she could find them. [NPC] had described the winding pathways, but had neglected to say exactly how long - only to follow the trail of paintings. These covered the wall on her left, the clusters of stars seeming to form a trail, leading her onward]. She marveled at the details of these, wondering at the technical skill required. Losing her focus was a mistake, as her paw landed on empty air. Barely catching herself, she scrambled back, straining to see the outlines of the space in front of her. Nothing. Cautiously, she crept forwards again, craning her neck over the gap. Below, she could see the suggestion of treetops, the ground dizzyingly far away. This was no good, and she had to step back, waiting for her nerves to settle. Slowly, she traced the edge of the path, feeling for a point where the path continued. No such luck. Squinting, she could see what looked like a platform on the other side, more paintings faintly visible by their glow. Presumably the path continued on from there.

Vaskil sighed. This was a mistake. How foolish she'd been, to volunteer to do this on her own. Cardamom had volunteered, but, despite the other vayron's stoicism, Vaskil knew she didn't cope with the dark well. Still, what was she to do? Turn back now? Spend another day trudging in the dark, only to report a failure?

She was still pondering this conundrum when [she heard a rustling nearby.] Had those markings on the wall always looked like that?

Two of the markings moved.

Vaskil tensed. The silence was palpable, and it felt difficult to break.
"Who's there?" she asked. Her voice seemed to echo behind her, travelling down through the caverns below. Only quiet rustling followed, and the sound of a match being struck, revealing a smallish Haedian.

"Sorry," the Haedian said, though he didn't sound particularly guilty. "I forget your kind don't see as well down here. If you've made it this far, I can only assume you're looking for the Watchers?"

"Yes," Vaskil replied cautiously. "Do you belong to them?"

The Haedian shifted awkwardly. "...not really?" he muttered to himself, barely audible.

"Y'know what - sure." He turned, speaking to Vaskil again. "Let's go with that. I'm Solan, anyway. I take it you're struggling with this wee gap, here?"

Vaskil nodded. She still wasn't sure of this stranger. He seemed friendly enough - suspicious in itself, given Cailu's description of the clan. Still, she thought, there's no other way forward.
"Is there a way around?" She asked.

Solan shook his head.  "Not that I know of." he said. "Helps deter prying strangers."

"Though," he continued, smirking, "I suppose with a little help..."

Vaskil didn't want to play this game. Not now, tired as she was. Trying not to let her irritation show, she looked up at him.

"I don't suppose you could help?"

The smirk grew wider. "I suppose I could," he said, tracing a claw over the rock as he looked at her. "I may need a favour though. For a, what do you vayrons say? A rainy day."

This was getting uncomfortable. "Within reason," Vaskil asserted, "but that sounds fair."

"Very well then - jump on." Solan replied, crouching down. Somewhat awkwardly Vaskil clambered aboard. "Are you sure this is safe?" She asked, as Solan let out a huff of exertion. Though longer, he wasn't much taller than she was, and she knew she wasn't exactly light.

"She'll be right." Solan said. "Worst case, we end up impaled on the trees belo- argh!"

"Don't even try to be funny." Vaskil released her claws. Breathing a sigh of relief, Solan bunched himself up, tensing for a leap, then pushed off of the ledge. Vaskil had to stop herself from yelping as the chasm opened up below her. Forcing herself to look up, she saw the path ahead rapidly approaching, though it seemed to be slowly rising above them.

"Hold on!" Solan called out, straining to reach the ledge. He caught it - just barely. Solan grunted as his body swung precariously, scrabbling for a grip with his hind claws. Quickly, Vaskil levered herself onto the ledge, turning back to the haedian. She grasped his scruff in her jaws, and, heaving, slowly pulled him onto the ledge. Safe, Solan collapsed.

"Thanks." He said, panting. He looked up at her. "You can keep going now. I'll just, ah, get back to my skulking in the shadows."

Vaskil shook her head. "You helped me, so I'll help you." she said. "Besides, what'll I do if there's another gap?" I don't want to be alone in the darkness, she didn't add.