Chapter 304: Berries and seas
"Welcome to the real burrows," Tang said, leveling out the large ore transporter. "The previous layer was more like an introduction."
Irwin kept looking around from his spot beside Tang.
The cave around them was like the many others he had seen by now: large and filled with a mist of yellowish gas to the point of being unable to see the other side. He didn't see any difference from the dozens of other caves they had passed through the last hour. The only difference was a soft howling that came from somewhere further in.
Ten minutes later, Tang slowed the ship next to a gaping hole in the side and bottom of the cavern. The howling had increased to a high-pitched roar that came from within while a strong wind blew out of the hole. Debris, rock, parts of ships, and broken sections of wood created a dense layer to the side of the hole. Irwin even saw some pale bone stick out from the rubble.
Tang lowered the ship more, and Irwin saw a turbulent cyclone with streaks of dark dust.
"This is one of the stopgaps, a place where things caught in the ashwinds sometimes end up," Tang shouted, his rumbling voice easily overpowering the howling of the storm. "Everything that got caught around Barrenrock Outpost should have ended up here."
Irwin looked around, staring at the rubble and searching for any sign of Scintilla. There was some newer-looking debris, but as they slowly flew across the dense carpet, he saw nothing that drew his eye.
"It was unlikely we found something here, but as the stopgap is here, we had to pass through anyway," Tang rumbled. "If your friend is still alive, she likely managed to make it out before ending up here."
Irwin looked into the howling storm.
"And that means?" he asked.
Tang fiddled with some of the runes, then put his hand on two protrusions that Irwin had thought were just there for comfort. A dense stream of soulforce poured out of Tang, and a moment later, a gleaming barrier like those around the Concerta hissed to life around them. It blocked out most of the howling wind, reducing it to a muted whistling.
"That means that we are going to do what Helm asked me to," Tang said as he guided the rugged ship inside.