Legends of Noth-Saria: The Eve of Book One

Towering above them was a furious peak of limestone that was courageous enough to gaze straight at the sun. Its barren slopes were impossible to climb.

Finally the nobbins reached a corner where Whitebeam’s Wall met the side of another enormous cliff. Beneath them the rocks crunched under their feet; when they walked smaller pebbles and fragments of stone would slide down the steep slope to the base of the trees, tumbling and bouncing. At the very edge where the two walls met was hewn an ancient stair that led to the top of Whitebeam’s Wall. The steps were very narrow and dusty; giant cracks crept among the brown rock.

‘I see, a very perilous way to climb. But from far and wide this seems to be the only way up the wall. From there may we find more protection and comfort, for all this venturing has made me ill. We have no choice but to proceed one in front of the other. The stair is too dangerous. I would certainly daresay you would fall on your second step,’ laughed Dango.

Dart remained silent and shook his head. His fur shivered in the breeze like the waves of the sea. The sun could be seen again at a very high point and brilliant golden rays pierced at the forest far below them and the rock before them. That was a sign to the two companions that noon would be close at hand.

They climbed the perilous stair and cautiously guarded their foothold so that they would not slip and fall below. The steps seemed to go on without end. Dango’s heart was getting tense and uneasy when he peered down. Nigh on fifty feet hung between their soles and the bottom slope by which they came from. Fortunately the width of the stair seemed to be getting wider and wider until both nobbins no longer walked in single file, but side by side.

At last they were led upon the very top of the wall. Dart quickly sat down on the blistering rock and panted wearily. He wiped his brow and sniffed over and over again. Dango allowed him some time while he went over to the very edge of the cliff. Now the whole valley was under his snout. In the middle of the hollow was the same veil of mist that overshadowed the land when they were still at the edge of the forest. To his right indefinitely higher cliffs and peaks rose to the clouds, dotted by small evergreen trees and some undescribed bushes. On the other side of the valley was the edge of the range and beyond that, the sky and the sun. He dared not look down below, for he would indeed get ill again.

‘Dango! I think we both forgot that now is the time for a good break and something to eat. Half a day in the sun is torture enough for me. I would rather wait till nightfall here and postpone the destination to another day perhaps,’ suggested Dart. He was still panting lightly.

‘Perhaps; but we should also find a secluded spot to rest. At least then our hearts may be a bit more safeguarded, wouldn’t you say so? Let us eat here with haste first. Then we shall go a bit more until we can find a shelter from the sun and the wind. This is a harsh country. I daresay it welcomes no visitors by night or by day. I long to see life again - besides trees!’ Dango sat down facing Dart and opened his sack. He dug inside for a moment and took out his lunch.