
~Once on the ground below, Nathan looked up at the white pillars stabbing into the sky. He felt like an ant in a stone forest. Here at the pinnacle’s entrance Citra stopped and everyone gathered around the old ahman.
“According to the stone map,” Citra began. ”This area used to be a lake. These fossilized stone monuments are what is leftover after the lake bed dried up.
“What are they made of?” Nathan asked LiDel.
“Calcium-carbonate. A process when fresh water mixes with alkaline water. After long periods without replenishing rainwater, these are left standing,” the Historian explained.
“Watch your step. Even the pebbles that fall off these spires can cut into your boots. Last night I finished translating another ancient scroll.
“One who beholds the glare of the Eye shall find reward or death.”
“That’s pretty ominous, Citra,” ViTel said.
“I see I’m not the only one to give warning, look,” the Librarian said, pointing at a weathered sign posted on one of the pinnacles. ViTel translated the phirmian words.
“Who shall enter these blades, risk danger, and death. Beware.”
No one said a word as each one of the troop headed into the waterless jaws of Lake Ouay.~©A.Nation2017