Jens Hoffmann - Simon Knox and the Prophecy of Asragur

"Will you tell us how?", asked Richie curiously.

"I dug a tunnel clear to the river bank of Andal a few years ago. My wife had been bugging me about it for ages. We are living in dangerous times. She wanted to make sure there would always be a safe route to the water so that she could continue to pick her beloved reed shoots. It would be my honour to guide both of you through the tunnel", the Wullom generously offered Simon and Richie. The two were absolutely thrilled and after chatting a while longer in the shade with Biggs, they followed him into a network of passages deep below the moorland.

Crawling on all fours in darkness behind their new friend, Simon and Richie noticed that it was growing lighter. Biggs led them into an illuminated cave, where they could finally stand up and look around.

"This is my domain", the Wullom gestured and let the beauty of the cave have its effect on the boys. They stood in a huge rock grotto, warmly but also mystically illuminated by luminous and shimmering crystals in the walls. Simon and Richie were speechless and could hardly believe what they were seeing and the splendour that surrounded them. Simon was the first to finally say something.

"It's so beautiful here below! How is it possible that these stones can shimmer so far under the earth?", he turned enquiringly to Biggs and touched the warm and luminous crystals in fascination.

"Well, that's a good question, my friend. I have a hard time explaining it myself. It is said that there is magic in these stones. In any case we name them sun crystals because they immerse our caves in bright, warm light, without which we could not live here below. I think you will also find some more of them in Leyhda".

Biggs looked around in the cave, astonishing Simon and Richie when he suddenly took a nosedive and started digging into the cave floor at breath-taking speed. After a few moments, they heard him panting on his way back. He held a specially bright and round crystal in his paws.

"As far as I'm concerned we can take off", he suggested, hopped out of the hole and disappeared into one of the numerous passageways that branched off the cave.

"Watch your step", he called back to his companions. "There can be deep holes or even tree roots in the passage", he warned, and scurried along lighting the way, deeper and deeper into the earth.

Simon and Richie felt a bit ill at ease. There were sections they could only pass through bent over and narrow passages where they had to crawl on their bellies. But if it got them to their destination sooner, then that was all right with them. And so they followed Biggs through the darkness without grumbling.

After what felt like forever, Simon and Richie finally noticed how the tunnel started going upwards. Sooner than expected, they were able to step out of the passageway. It took a while for their eyes to adjust to the bright sunshine. Biggs spread out his dirty paws, stuck his nose in the wind and sucked in the balmy summer air. "What a glorious day", he sighed contentedly.

Simon and Richie looked around curiously. They were standing next to a small lake that glistened quietly and peacefully in the afternoon sun. "Where exactly are we?", Simon asked their hairy friend, who was dozing comfortably in soft heather with a blade of grass between the teeth.

"We are not far from the Andal River. Can you hear the rushing and thundering sound of the water? The river bubbles up here one last time before plunging over the cliff into the sea. A powerful stream that pulls everything with it, one you should never underestimate", the Wullom warned the newcomers with concern.

"The bridge is not much further. Go around the lake westwards and you will soon see the bridge", Biggs gave them final directions and then continued his daydreaming.

This was indeed a good place to have a break, Simon and Richie thought. They quickly took off their shoes and socks and waded in the clear, cool water. They freshened up, skipped stones over the water and were amazed by the many colourful dragonflies buzzing around. Just a few feet away, a swarm of light yellow butterflies gathered near the water, apparently looking for refreshment just like Simon and Richie.

But as beautiful as it was here, they couldn't loiter around for the rest of the day. And so Simon decided that it was time to move on. It seemed that Biggs was thinking the same thing and turned to the boys with a serious look on his face.

"There are still a lot of things coming your way, my friends. May Asragur's spirit be with you, that Morana can look into the future with hope. Go now to Elian. You can fully trust him and his people. He is an old and wise elf and you would do good to listen to and follow him. It will only be for your best", the Wullom advised.

He bade them farewell and handed over the sun crystal to Simon.

"I hope we shall see each other again someday, Simon Knox. Take this stone and trust in its warming power. It will surely prove useful to you."

"Many thanks, Biggs. We wouldn't have made it this far without your help"', Simon said and Biggs waved off the compliment shyly. "Good luck to both of you and take care of each other", said the plump Wullom and disappeared into his tunnel.

Now they were once again alone. Simon packed the sun crystal into his backpack and then they set out for the stone bridge that crossed the Andal River.

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