68 Spelunking (1/2)

Franklin wakes up with a jolt. He feels his chest and makes sure all his body parts are still intact. After finding everything in order, he heaves a sigh of relief. The other boys are still sleeping, also looking healthy. He smiles and opens the flap of the tent to leave.

As he goes into the campsite, Franklin covers his eyes as the winter sun beams down and bounces off the freshly fallen snow. He looks around seeing holes and broken roots where trees used to be. Franklin then looks over at Elanor, cooking some wolf meat. ”That was a rough night I thought we might die there for a moment,” Franklin says rubbing his head.

Elanor turns and smiles at him. ”What are you talking about? Did you have a bad dream?” she asks brightly.

”Eh?” Franklin's jaw drops. ”I mean the wolves and then you like exploded,” he reasons while gesturing to the destruction all around them.

”I'd think I'd remember something like that you must be mistaken,” Elanor retorts while still showing her pearly white smile. She then pats on a log next to the fire and says, ”Come and have your breakfast.”

Franklin's mouth becomes a line as he clams up. He then robotically walks over and sits down. ”So how's Laurel?” he finally asks as he takes a bite of wolf meat.

Elanor turns the meat over the fire and replies, ”She'll come out fine. Julie and Kendra will get her recovering, and then my master will finish up like your mom.”

”That's great I wouldn't want to have confronted Mellisa if she came back hurt,” Franklin says dejectedly. Franklin slowly gnaws on the tough wolf meat as another boy leaves the tent.

Louis laughs happily to be alive. He walks over with a skip in his step. ”That was a close call, huh?” he announces.

”I don't know what you're talking about,” Elanor rejects while looking away from Louis.

Louis looks at Franklin for support. However, Franklin just shrugs at him. ”Did it really not happen?” Louis asks in confusion.

Elanor happily instructs, ”It seems you had a bad dream hurry up and eat were going to be leaving here after you all wake up,”

Louis nods as he sits down, taking a stick of meat. His eyes then bulge as he responds, ”It definitely happened, look at the forest.”

”What a vivid dream it must have been,” Elanor reiterates.

Louis chokes on his food and then gives in, ”Yeah, I've never had such a crazy dream before.”

This same scene happens two more times until all the boys are full and ready to head out. With the ground torn up, it was rough going as they would sometimes slide into the holes. Still, it was nice to be in the sun for the first mile. It took them a few more days to reach their destination. Now with Elanor with them the entire time no beast dare cause trouble.

Elanor looks at the image sketched in her Treasure hunting digest and back at the cave in front of them. ”This is definitely it!” She exclaims happily throwing her arms in the air.

She then gathers the boys and in a serious tone instructs, ”This is a beginners treasure hunt. So there shouldn't be anything too dangerous. I'll inspect your progress from here while you all explore.”

The boys huddle together to discuss the expedition. Louis takes charge and orders, ”Franklin you should be up front since you have the most battle experience. Roy, You will carry the torch and Douglas you watch our back. I'll support Franklin in the front, alright?”

Roy complains, ”Why do I have to hold the torch?”

Louis grabs his shoulders firmly and responds, ”Because Douglas's curly hair may catch on fire if he holds the torch.” They all look over at Douglas as he nods vigorously causing his hair to spring about erratically.

”Fine,” Roy gives in reluctantly why folding his arms in front of his chest.

Franklin clenches his fists while heroically saying, ”All the jobs are important. There's no need to fight over them.”

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Roy then counters, ”You hold the torch then.”

Douglas punches Roy in the shoulder and jokes, ”Won't you just have to switch out when you get beaten up?”

”Owe,” Roy grimaces before lunging at Douglas. ”You won't have to worry about your hair catching on fire if I pull it out!” he yells.

Right as the scuffle is about to begin Elanor grabs all four of them by their shirts. Two in each hand she throws them into the cave. ”Alright enough messing around get to work,” she orders.

”What about the torch?” Franklin asks.

”This?” Elanor asks as she picks up a stick cover in cloth and demonic beast fat. She then throws it into the cave whacking Roy in the head.

”Why me,” Roy cries while rubbing his head.

”Hurry up and light it,” Louis commands.

”Fine!” Roy bellows as he starts smacking flint onto his sword.

After a few attempts the torch lights illuminating the cave. It's wide enough for the four of them to walk side by side without issue. They take a diamond formation. Franklin upfront, Louis following right behind, Roy in the center and Douglas taking up the rear.