The Segacorn's Jewel: Part 5

"What's going on?" Arron repeated, looking over at Nikarin.

"I don't know... and I don't think we're going to find out any time soon. If we do, I would be very surprised. Karina... perhaps you should talk to the girl..."

The girl snorted, and stepped up. "I'm here, you know, and can speak to anyone I please, be it the girl or figments of my imagination. My name is Breanna, this is my dog, Prince... and you three are? Or should I just call you Figments One, Two, and Three?"

Nikarin quickly introduced the group. "We are not from around here, and we are in need of assistance. Will you help us find the purpose of us coming here?"

Breanna glanced down at the watch on her wrist, checking the time. "Sure, why not? I have a couple of hours free, I guess I could show you around. Wait, Prince!"

The dog's ears had perked up, and his tail had stiffened. His gaze was fixed on something in the distance. His ears flattened slowly, and a low growl came from his throat, before he ran off.

Everyone stood there for a second, stunned, before Breanna cried out and chased after the dog. Karina and Nikarin quickly followed, but Arron stood there looking confused. Nikarin turned back after a few moments to return to Arron and have him follow as well.

Like most Elves, Karina was a swift runner, and although the terrain was unfamiliar to her she caught up to Breanna quickly. She was just in time to see the dog slip into a medium sized cave. Breanna skidded to a stop, a confused look coming over her face.

"Karina," she said softly, glancing at the Elf. "I didn't know there was a cave here. In fact, there's not a cave here - Prince and I were here yesterday. I don't like this... but we have to get Prince."

"Neither do I," Karina answered, her head turning slightly. "Even where I live, caves don't just appear out of nowhere. And yes, we'll get Prince, however, we aren't going anywhere without Nikarin and Arron. I was the one that got them into this mess, if I hadn't gotten my foot stuck in the Cloud..."

Breanna glanced over at Karina, a puzzled look on her face, but the sound of the Segacorns trotting kept her from asking any questions. She motioned for them to follow her, and then continued into the cave, staying close to the Elf.

The cave was wide enough for the two Segacorns to walk side by side, with Breanna and Karina in front of them. The ground was a smooth path slanting downwards, every once in awhile a little rough, but it seemed well-kept. That made Karina nervous - all the caves she had known were wild and rough, with small animals skittering away from whoever entered, and most not daring to go more than a couple of feet inside. For there were things in caves that shouldn't be disturbed.

And yet this cave was taken care of, which most likely meant that its were sentient. However, it told nothing of whether the occupants were good or bad, or where Prince was headed.