Indigo Ridge Novels & Stories

Kaelen turned from the north to look southwest, which answered the question before he said anything. "The base of the Ridge," he said. "Two kilometers down the slope. It's a sulfur marsh — acidic water, heavy silt, the air is saturated enough that scent tracking becomes unreliable within fifty meters." He paused. "It's also waist-deep in standing water and the footing is unpredictable and nobody who has a choice goes into it." "We don't have a choice," Xander said. "We have the ambush choice," Marcus said.

"He built a home on that mountain land." By noon, the flat highway ended, giving way to steep, winding gravel roads that climbed high into the dense forests of the Green Mountains. The trees here were thick and wild, towering over the narrow road, blocking out most of the midday sun. A small, rusty metal sign appeared on the right shoulder, reading: WELCOME TO PINE RIDGE – POPULATION 420. Julian slowed the station wagon down, turning onto a bumpy dirt road marked Ridge Road. The road wound upward for two miles, passing quiet, abandoned wooden barns and thick patches of wild blackberry bushes. Finally, the trees cleared, opening into a broad, sunny clearing atop the hill.

The bone-chilling mountain wind whipped across the black granite peaks of the Black-Ridge territory, howling like a chorus of dying beasts. Snow fell in heavy, thick sheets, burying the narrow mountain pass beneath three feet of white powder. We had ridden hard through the night without stopping. My coal-black stallion’s iron-shod hooves kicked up plumes of snow as we crested the final ridge overlooking the Black-Ridge Citadel—a terrifying, jagged fortress carved directly into the sheer face of a hollowed-out mountain peak. Smoke billowed from the high battlements, and the iron-reinforced gates at the base of the gorge were tightly barred, surrounded by barricades of jagged black iron spikes

The soft morning sun climbed the frosty jagged peaks of the Northern Ridge, painting the skies over Obsidian Ridge in rich rose-gold, amber and deep violet hues. Miles across the valley the newly unsealed leylines pulsed with a quiet, constant life, filling the air with the sweet perfume of solar jasmine and winter pine. What was once an icy fortress of shadow and militarized defense now radiated warmth and prosperity like no other.

Zane said beside me, I agree with his decision. He was powerful and was going to be crowned as the emperor while I was a normal magical physician. Rhyker was an often regarded and greatly praised god. Winter, time and jewels are crucial elements this divine being is associated with and most would regard him as modest and blunt. Often depicted as short, thin, immature and bright Rhyker was usually worshipped through pledges and oaths. There were a few types of places for those in pursuit of the aid of Rhyker, but natural sanctuaries and dedicated clothing pieces are a good way to start connecting.

sneered Derick sarcastically with a small chuckle as a closing sentence. The silver-haired man sped off, leaving his brother and sister behind. Irina, Damien and Lucien were still reluctant to leave the battlefield where because of their actions, the land and trees around it were uprooted. Several large tree trunks fell on the ground, some went into several gaping holes in the ground. It's really not an interesting sight to behold. The pine and spruce forests have been partially transformed, at some point, into fields with gaping cracks in the ground.

Icarus muttered, eyes locked on the thick fog ahead. I didn’t respond. I had no breath left, no words. Just the certainty that we had to keep moving. The Black Ridge rose on the horizon like a curse. A cluster of mountains dark as coal, surrounded by trees with twisted trunks and eternally dry leaves. And among them, the village: Moss Hollow.

The sun is high in the sky. Indra moves her pack from one shoulder to the other when the straps begin to cut into her skin. Her clothes are soaked from the sweat flowing freely from her scalp down her back and front, gluing the fabric to her body. They're getting closer to the mountains. The hilly landscape with uneven and rugged terrain mean that they have to concentrate on every step they take. Everywhere, small saplings grow like a tangled net, and areas of spongy mats of peat makes it difficult to walk without sinking into the damp surface.

“Cardan, please—” “Tell me where!” I snarled, stepping closer until I was towering over her. My blade hovered inches from her throat. “Tell me before I stop pretending you matter.” She sobbed once, quiet and broken, and finally whispered, “The Ridge. The old ruins beneath the west mountains. He’s building something there.” My heart slammed against my ribs. The western ridge. “You already knew,” I said quietly. “You told us it was a lead, when in truth—”

“That… thing… it might come back. Or Kael will come with more of them. This place is marked.” “I know,” Liam said from beside her. He sounded tired to his soul. “But we’re not just running to run. We’re going somewhere we can stand our ground. A fortress. Ryder?” Ryder was already drawing in the dirt floor with a charred stick. “Black Pine Ridge. The old ranger station. Stone foundation. Only one way up. You can see anyone coming for miles.” “Good. Gareth, can you make the trip?” Gareth’s voice was a pained grunt. “I’ll crawl on my belly if I have to, Alpha.”