2024 L : Lair

There are different aspects to a lair, depending on the source you use. One defines  a lair as “a place where a wild animal, especially a fierce or dangerous one, lives.” One example of lair is the volcano home of the Goddess

It also fits the abandoned cave complex of Trelleir’s birth and the one discovered behind a waterfall. Another focuses on the use of the site as a resting place.  

But, my favorite definition is “a secluded or hidden place, especially a secret retreat; a hideout or hideaway.” To me that perfectly describes Trelleir’s cave home where he lived during his time among humans. To them he was a nobody, a hermit scholar who lived a short distance outside the village’s protective wall. But his home held information collected from his numerous travels around the world. It also had a secret which he revealed to Deneas when she stopped by to say farewell on the eve of her quest.

A strike of a flintstone against the cave wall sent a spark into the torch which flared into a smokeless fire. Lighting a second torch, Trelleir handed it to Deneas and gestured her to a spot against the wall.

Slow steps took him around the room, gathering a rock here, an iron rod there. Determined motions removed a row of books to reveal a hole in the wall the shape of the rod. Inserting the rod into the opening, he gave the key a sharp turn. The scraping of stone on stone sounded into the silence as a thick slab of gray rock slid into place to cover the entrance. By torchlight, he dropped shaped stones into the newly revealed depressions near the door. Repeating the actions sealed the chamber full of books behind another wall of rock.

The rod back in hand, he placed it into a hole at the back of the cave. Standing there, he bowed his head in silence. A sharp twist and a stone panel slid aside, revealing a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain. Without a word, he picked up his backpack and a second bag of additional torches. His nod sent Deneas into the tunnel.

He sensed her waiting … and watching. And that she not only felt the pain of leaving her home, but also for causing him to lose his. Trelleir wove his fingers into the ritual gesture of leave-taking Eneae had taught him. One last look at the only real home he had ever known, and he followed Deneas into the tunnel. The door slid closed behind him, plunging the area into a stygian darkness.

You have to read Fire and Amulet to see where the tunnel led. A hint? I love waterfalls.

~till next time, Helen

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