Whats our next move? Uriel asked Apollonia, who led the group silently. Their party, which included Tanyas second brother, was nearly to the base of Mt. Calt.

Just like the old woman had said, Tanyas brother was handsome and slender. With hair tied back loosely and a vague, dreamlike expression, he could have been mistaken for a traveling poet. He introduced himself as Tan, and his brothers as Ben and Lun.

Apollonia ignored Uriels question. The closer theyd gotten to Mt. Calt, the less talkative shed become.

Were here. Tan reared back his horse. In front of them lay a huge mountain range.

It was a strange sight. The mountings jutting from the flat terrain were dark and quiet. Grotesque, deformed trees twisted off the slopes, but there were no signs of life. The air was still and silent. It seemed like a place where thered never been life.

The mountains held a sense of lonely desolateness. In the center of the range lay the highest peak.

They say this was once a volcano, a long time ago. If you look closely at the peak in the center, you can almost make out the crater at the top its called Calts Heart. Its covered by a grove of strange trees. The rest of the mountains in this range are all different in size and shape, and legend has it that God scattered this range across the continent just for fun.

The story of the burning mountains is different from the volcano, right?

Yes. The volcano is long-dead, and its not one of the Fire Mountains. After the mountains burst into fire, even the living things inside it are killed. Those trees are able to survive because theyre said to have magical power. Theyre protected from the fire. Without those powers, they too wouldve been reduced to a pile of ashes by now.

What about the monsters?

They stay away during the dry season, because theres no way to tell when the fires will ignite. Theyll be back in a few months to build their nests. Its strange, isnt it? Entering this place, where theres no food or water anywhere to be found I have a hunch that they might be attracted to something.

I didnt see any of the monsters on our way here

Keep a safe distance from the mountains, and youll be fine. The monsters wont attack anyone near the mountains. But since the mountain can burst into flame with only a seconds warning, getting too close would be like signing your death warrant. Tan shrugged. Even though he was pretending like it didnt bother him, Mt. Calt was still an eerie place. Something about it bothered him.

There are countless stories about this place. Even the weather here is weird. When it rains over Calts Heart, the mountains surrounding it are sunny and dry

Other than Uriel, I want everyone to go back, she ordered. Her tone was heavy and commanding, meaning she wouldnt accept any resistance.

Its dangerous. Ill stay. Sid knew what her tone meant, but he still decided to speak up. Apollonias eyebrows creased.

You cant stay. If you do, Uriel would have to go back, and Tanyas family would be scared. Worst-case scenario, well run into a group of bandits and Uriel can easily deal with that. She mentioned Tanyas family half-jokingly, but Tan flinched when he heard it, as if it were true.

Im just going to look around the mountain. I need some time alone to think, so just go back to the house and wait for me. I wont be long. Her voice had softened, but it was still powerful in a way that was difficult to disobey. Sid had no other choice.

Please promise to never touch the mountain.

I promise.

Sid was the only one who turned to leave.

Hold on.

Tan took something out of the leather bag strapped to his waist.

This is an item my grandmother made last night. She said it would keep us safe. If youre alright with it, you should put this on. Your safety is important.

He winked at her as he handed her the thin robe. His flirtatiousness would sometimes show regardless of the situation. Although the cloth was thin and cheap, Apollonia thought it must have been special somehow, if the old woman had made it. She took the garment and pulled it over her coat.