Chapter 428: A Crack in the Mountain
Elin felt a little conflicted about walking around the mountain first. Part of her said that they should just climb it to see what they found, but at the same time, she couldn't argue about the fact that it did make sense to see if there was an easier way up the mountain or if they really needed to climb it in the first place. Especially if they climbed it, then found a road or something when they were done with a difficult part.
One thing her whole being wished was that they had already reached the library so she wouldn't have to worry about any of this. Let alone having to debate, or listen to the debates, about which way to go or even why they should pick one way over another.
However, she kept quiet as they started to walk around it. Which felt like it would take forever, since it was clear that the mountain took up pretty much all the field that had been in front of them before it popped up out of nowhere.
She didn't expect to find anything as they walked, although it did feel more of a leisurely pace than they'd had up to this point, even from before they'd encountered the bog. Which she at least felt happy about, even if she didn't understand what the reason behind it was or if the pace was set unconsciously rather than deliberate.
Elin wasn't sure what to expect, or find, as they walked around the mountain, but the sun started to set before they were able to actually find anything of any note. Instead, they set up camp and had a quick meal before the usual routine of a series of them taking turns keeping watch through the night while the rest of them slept.
Elin could only be grateful that it wasn't her turn to keep watch. That her turn had been the night before.
The find came the next day when they were about to stop for lunch.
What could be seen was a parting in the mountain. Like a giant crack had formed in it, almost like it was a clean cut through the side of the mountain, with a large stream flowing out of it.
"Looks like we found something we wouldn't have if we'd gone over it," Bart remarked, sounding almost as if he had been instrumental in getting them to go around the mountain rather than having staying quiet during the whole discussion.