Chapter 13

Matrim stepped out onto the outcropping. The ledge extended over the precipice about four feet, with a width of five feet. Where the outcropping joined the cliff wall of snowy rock, there were two boulders, between which revealed the dim opening of the cave. Andrija squirmed her way out and stood behind Matrim.
He turned towards her and looked at her steadily. His eyes were two deep pools of blackness, unreadable. Andrija couldn’t help but wonder what mysteries lay behind that jaunty grin and careless expression.
He stepped towards Andrija and his eyes softened. “Miss… I must speak to you privately for a moment. I have a question for you.”
Andrija at once grew cautious. “Yes?” She asked guardedly.
Matrim’s expression was serious. “Are you and the two children fleeing from the Enchanter?”
Andrija visibly trembled at the name and Matrim stared deeply into her eyes. “Miss, I see that you are. And I know why.”
“What? What do you know?”
“The Enchanter has posted warnings about the entire land describing the children and their quest. In these notices, he portrays them as rebels plotting the downfall of his throne and carrying out the destruction of Zion, the entire world. He offers a great reward for them…dead or alive. Miss…if indeed you are the guardian of these children, it would be better for their safety-- and yours—if you went into hiding.
I do not know what you have done to anger the Enchanter, but I am telling you this now because if you were to escape from this cave, the Enchanter’s army would be upon you in a moment. They are at this hour descending this side of the mountain.”
Andrija tilted her head to one side, gazing at him curiously. “Matrim, because I trust you, I will tell you the secrets of our quest.”
As Andrija told the lad the purpose of the children’s quest and of their adventures and the Diadem they had discovered, he listened intently, nodding at times. When she had finished Matrim asked: “Now what do you intend to do? Where will you go?”
“The next step of our quest must be a search for one would wear the Diadem. A good, virtuous person who would rule justly over all.”
Matrim turned away from Andrija and looked out across the expanse of blue sky and sloping mountain range beneath them.
Andrija looked at the ground, then suddenly looked up at the older boy. Taking a step towards him, she said softly: “Matrim, you wouldn’t happen to know a way out of this cave would you?”
Matrim turned to her. “And if I did?”
Andrija stared into his black eyes. “Matrim, the two children and I must get out of this place soon.”
“Even if you all made it up this cliff and back onto the mountain slope, you would be taken captive by the Enchanter’s army who are posted all over this mountain. Do you not understand that?” Matrim whispered fiercely, his eyes flashing. “Is this quest of yours so important that in pursuing it, you risk these children’s lives?”
Andrija’s limpid blue eyes brimmed with tears, but Matrim continued on.
“Do you know what would happen to that boy and to that girl if they were caught? Do you know what the Enchanter does to those who disobey him? The slightest offense is punishable by death.” Matrim shuddered. “But he would not kill the children. Oh no! Death would be too brief a punishment. The Enchanter’s sole delight is in lingering pain. He would have them tortured. Long, drawn out, terrible things…”
Andrija shrank, cowering back against the cliff wall.
Matrim shuddered once more and then suddenly seemed to awake from his outburst. His eyes softened as he saw the young woman sobbing. As he knelt by her side, he was breathing hard and his face was troubled. “I am sorry…Andrija. I did not mean to frighten you. It is just that in the past, I have…experienced the cruelty of the Enchanter. I have given you this warning that His wrath might not harm you or the children.”
Andrija rose shakily to her feet. “I don’t know what to do, Matrim. I have been placed as guardian of these children, and I am afraid of…what might happen to them if I made a bad decision or took the wrong path. I realize now that we face an enemy so strong and so chillingly demonic that he surpasses imagination. If I could, I would send the children back to their world, but I cannot. I must be strong, but…I am so frightened.”
Her golden curls fell limply over her face, hiding her tear-streaked face. She wiped her eyes quickly and stared up into the lad’s face.
Time seemed to pause as their eyes met. For a tense second, silence reigned, then Matrim spoke gently.
“Then you will need a companion to assist you, Andrija.”
Andrija swallowed and her pale face flushed with new hope. As Matrim stared in the clear pristine depths of her magical blue eyes, his own eyes grew wet. But only for a second, for he blinked suddenly, spun around, and disappeared into the cave-- leaving Andrija dizzy and breathless, her head whirling with various emotions. Terror, bewilderment, indecision, and perhaps…?
Andrija brushed her fingers absentmindedly through her curls, her brow wrinkled in thought as she stared into the distance at the sun sinking beyond the horizon. Had she imagined it—that mysterious light in his eyes? Could it possibly be? So soon?
Time would tell.