Gembond Celebration - The Search 3/3

"I told you bioluminescence is a huge part of this cave system. I didn't want to spoil it for you though. I figured it might be best for you to see this for yourself." Bragi placed his bag next to one of the pillars, rolling up his sleeves.

"What… what exactly is this place??" His younger brother looked up, still flabbergasted by the whole situation.

"From what I understood, this place used to be some kind of forest with huge, strong trees -  their branches and leaves so dense barely any light made it through. Then, eons ago, a volcano erupted, burying the forest under a huge amount of ash and rock. Over the hundreds of years, the plants in this cave were petrified, covered in crystals that started to grow due to the high density of minerals from the ashes and the humidity and temperature of the river running through. It stems from a thermal spring somewhere deep inside the mountains" Bragi stepped into the river, running his arms through the warm water, his fingers scraping along the bottom of the riverbed.

"Who told you all this?" Søren took one step into the water, the warmth easing the soreness the long trip had caused him.

"I'm not quite sure you'd believe me if I told you." Bragi chuckled, moving a bit further into the middle of the river. "But if you really need to know, the bugs told me."

His younger brother stared at him, taking a deep breath. "You know what? At this point - considering you? I'm not even surprised." He looked around the water, still amazed at the glow it emitted with every movement he did."So, what exactly are we looking for?"

Bragi dug around at the bottom of the river, whirling up sand around him, concentrating on the feeling between his fingers. "AHA! Found you!" He pulled up a marble sized shard, holding it out to his brother. "THIS is what I'm looking for!"

Søren took the gem shard, washing the dirt off of it, raising an eyebrow. "Amber? … All this work, this whole gosh darn trip - FOR AMBER!?"

Bragi was having none of his attitude. "Stop whining and look closer!" 

His younger brother sighed and raised the gem a little higher up to see it in the light properly. As he moved it around to inspect it further, small bits of gold were shimmering inside of it. The facets and bubbles that had been trapped inside of the gem seemed to make them glow in a warm light. "Wait, wait - Is that what I think it is!?"

Bragi nodded, he looked around more, noticing small fragments of Amber lead along the riverbed towards the edge of the plateau they were residing on, where the water plummets even deeper into the cave. "That's where we'll need to go."

Soren shook his head. "You're joking right? You have your gem! We can go now!"

"Nope." Bragi stepped out of the water, shaking off most of it before picking up his gear. "That is only a hint of what I am looking for. Look Søren, I'm not asking you to join me. I will not force you to climb down together, if you prefer, you can wait here, and I'll return to you as soon as I have what I need."

"Bragi! Just take what you have and go! Whoever this is for will be happy with what they get!" Søren offered him a hand, but Bragi only took off the rope from his belt, tying it to one of the pillars by the edge.

"I said no. You should know the feeling of wanting something special for someone else. You were almost beaten to a pulp for the gem you wanted! I will not rest until I have exactly what I need. I know this place better than anyone else, I know where to find it and how to get there. You don't have to come with me. All I can do is promise you that I’ll be safe ok?" He sat down onto the ledge close to where the water was plummeting into the deep, and from Sørens standpoint, when his brother slid over the edge, he fell into the void as well.

He sprinted to the edge, screaming “BRAGI!” as he leaned over it, only to find his brother standing a few feet below him, on yet another path leading further down.

“What?” Bragi looked up to him, seeing Søren with his jaw hanging wide open.

“N-nothing… I just wanted to… wanted to join you.” He cleared his throat, sitting on the edge of the ledge. “You’re right. I would have done the same. So… I’m coming with you.”

“Wait… were you scared just now?” Bragi looked up to him, offering Søren a hand to make it down without a scratch.

“Shut up.” He hesitated, but took Bragis hand and slid down the edge of the plateau before dusting himself off, straightening his posture and taking a few steps into the cave before coming to a halt. “Would you be so kind and take the lead?”

Bragi looked at him, confused, but agreed and walked ahead of him. “So… considering your run in with those willing to fight Woolyne that were dead set on getting that stone… are you going to tell me who your gem was for?” He looked over his shoulder at his younger brother, whose ears twitched when he heard the question.

His younger brother stared at the floor as they made their way behind the waterfall - waiting before he mumbled something, making sure Bragi wouldn’t be able to hear it behind the roaring waters. Bragi rolled his eyes, turning his gaze forward and extending his elbow right into the falling stream, splashing Søren in the process, leaving him drenched.

“HEY! What was that for!” Søren yelled, shaking himself before reaching out his arm to splash water back at him.

His older brother only laughed, turning around before throwing his arm through the waterfall, splashing water everywhere, including Sørens face. "What's wrong brother? Did you get wet?" He grinned, winding up his arm for the next splash. 

"Don't you dare!" Søren growled before getting an idea. As Bragi pulled back his arm, Søren quickly turned on his heel, dragging his tail through the water and catapulting everything into Bragis direction, leaving him absolutely drenched. Seeing his brother dripping wet in front of him, he couldn't do anything but burst out into laughter.

Bragi shook himself to get the water out of his fur. "Yeah yeah, just you laugh. You win this round. But don't you think I'll let you get away with this scott free!" He pulled his hair back and tied it into a ponytail, wringing it out a bit, smiling at his brother.

Søren stared at him, smiling for a moment, before looking to the floor. "You scared me…"

His older brother looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Søren…" He saw tears forming in Sørens eyes and quickly pulled him into a hug. “Little sprout - You know I’ll always be there for you. I promised you back then, and I will stay true to my promise even when the Gods decide to take me to their side.” He hugs his younger brother tight, who can only sniffle, desperately trying not to cry.

“I know - I know you will. I just… When you jumped - I thought you were gone for good… I wouldn’t know what to do! We already lost Ma and Pa - If I were to lose you too, I wouldn't know what-" He bit his tongue, burying his face into Bragi's shoulder, who stroked his back to calm him down. It took him a moment to calm his emotions and before he pulled back, looking at his older brother. “Please don’t do that again…”

Bragi nodded, offering him his pinky. “I pinky promise to never scare you like this ever again.” He watched his brother twist his pinky around his, looking up to him in the process.

“I’ll take your word for it… don’t you dare break it…” With that Søren let go of Bragis finger, looking towards the path they still have ahead of them. “Alright, we still have a bit ahead of us right? … We should go, while this cave is pretty and an amazing sight to behold, I can’t wait to feel the sun on my face again…” He starts to walk down the path, looking over his shoulder, this time teasing his brother. “Are you coming or not?”

With a chuckle, his older brother followed, ruffling Sørens hair a little as he caught up to him. “Now, are you going to tell me who your secret heartthrob is?”

Søren blushed a little. “I… I’m not sure if I should. Like, I don’t even know if he likes me, or if I even exist. We only met a few times and never really got to talking much… Actually, when I think about it I am not even sure if he knows my name. He’s been so busy everytime we met, duties and all.”

Bragi stared at him for a moment. “Wait - whoa - wait. Are you talking about that guy we met a few weeks back? The one with the dark pelt and silver hair? What was his name again?
Kam… Kim…”

“His name is Kimau! And yes… Kind of? I don’t know…” Søren fidgeted with his mane.

“Oh I’m pretty sure he knows your name - after he knocked the wind out of you and had to carry you to the healers, I’m pretty sure he AT LEAST - remembers your name!” Bragi giggled, helping Søren climb over a fallen pillar, hoisting himself on top and over it, to then help his brother down.

“Please, by the love of everything holy, don’t remind me of that. Of every way we could have met and gotten to know each other, this was probably the worst thing that could have happened!” He buried his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes before he climbed down the pillar with Bragis help.

“Pfff well at least you left a lasting impression!” He looked at Søren, who only managed to glare at him for a moment. “Look, I am sure he knows your name, I’m sure he knows you exist. He agreed to meet up with you a few times even after he knocked you out, didn’t he? Also I am pretty sure he apologized profusely. He didn’t mean to knock you out, it was an accident~” Bragi patted his brother's back. “And look, I am pretty sure there are worse ways to meet someone for the first time - He seemed like a decent guy. He offered you help, and he seemed rather interested in practically everything you had to say.” They finally reached the lake at the bottom of the path.

“You think? I mean… he did ask me a lot of questions - and he did offer to buy me dinner to make up for knocking my lights out…. Bragi, do you really think Kimau might actually like me!?” Sørens tail flicked from side to side, his excitement barely able to be contained by the thought that Kimau might actually like him.

“You should talk to him, who knows, maybe you could travel together for a bit and get to know each other more. And when you’re ready, tell him how you feel. Even on the off chance of him not liking you the way he likes you, there is always the option of remaining friends.” Bragi offered him a smile.

“You’re not wrong, I haven’t even tried yet, why do I worry about things that didn’t even happen yet?” he smiled to himself before turning back to Bragi. “Now it’s your turn, who is it you play secret admirer for??” Søren crossed his arms, stopping at the edge of the water. “How did you meet? I bet it was super sweet and super normal, like every regular Wool would meet.”

Bragi placed his gear on the floor, taking a seat by the water. “Alright, I’ll tell you. But promise me not to laugh, okay?” His brother took a seat next to him, watching him stare across the water at the waterfall. “I met her…months back, when I traveled through Azmarin for that delivery quest I accepted, remember? The Nikyak pelts? Well anyways, when I managed to finally reach the city, I was tasked to bring it to the upper levels of the construct. When I was walking up the main stairs, pelts stacked in my arms, I accidentally bumped into someone, and before I could react, scrolls and papers were flying everywhere, they lost their footing, I lost my balance and we crashed down the stairs. When I came to the foot of the stairs, still the pelts in hand, I felt something moving on top of them. Looking up, I saw the prettiest face I had ever seen, the most piercing fushia eyes framed by the wildest lavender hair.”

Søren rested his head on his crossed arms, looking up to his older brother. He could see the adoration he had for this woman plastered all over his face. He had never seen Bragi like this before. He couldn’t help but smile to himself as he listened to his older brother. “Please continue! I need to know more! Who is she?”

Bragi smiled, leaning back a little bit. “When she realized that I was pinned under her and the furrs, she scrambled off of me, apologizing profusely. As I was getting back up, she tried to pick up all the pelts to help, but there were so many that she couldn’t carry them all, she slipped on one of them, lost balance and bumped into me, so I held her. For a moment as awkward as it was, we stayed like this until she regained her footing. She again apologized for the mess she made, but I assured her none of this was her fault, I should have been more careful on my way up. I helped her pick up all her scrolls and papers before picking up the furrs I was to deliver. When I asked her how I could reach the leatherworks hall, she perked up, saying she headed in the same direction so she could show me. I was elated, to be honest my sense of direction is…not great in this city. So she joined me. On the way, she thanked me for the help, and introduced herself as Avalon. We got to chat a little on the way, when she found out I was traveling for a living, she asked so many questions, where I’ve been, what my favorite places were, what kind of creatures I had met on my travels. She was so eager to learn more. So while I was in the city, we met up occasionally to share stories and kind of have been in contact ever since then, even though mostly in the form of letters. We do meet every blue moon when I get to travel towards the east. I hope I get to see her again soon… I’d love to give her something special only she has.” He sighed, slapping his knees before he got up, snapping Søren out of his daydream.

“Alright - enough emotional talk - time to get what I came here for!” Bragi took off his shirt,  and belt, snatching the sack he had carried around all day and walking into the water.

“W-Wait, Bragi where are you going!?” Søren jumped to his hooves, walking after him.

“At the bottom of this lake is everything I need, it should only take a few minutes, I promise you I will return in no time! Take care of my stuff while I’m down there!” And with that Bragi walked into the water until he was no longer visible, leaving Søren to pace from left to right along the shoreline.

Minutes passed but they seemed like hours, after what felt like an eternity Bragi finally resurfaced, gasping for air and swimming towards the more shallow end of the lake, dragging the sack behind him. He dropped the sack, filled to the brim with gems at the shoreline, leaning black and taking deep breaths. “For the love of Mazri - I’m never doing this again.” He fell to his knees, still trying to calm his breath when Søren came running.

“What were you doing down there!? You said you knew exactly what you were looking for! Why in the Amiyns name is that sack so full!?” He looked his brother over, making sure there was not one single scratch on him.

Bragi took one last, deep breath before he looked up at his brother. “Because in there, is everything I’ll need for every single bit of the present I want the Faelidhs to craft for me~” He opened the sack it was filled to the brim with every color of amber. From yellows over oranges to red, some brown, some green, even some in blue. Søren couldn’t believe his eyes, so many colors, some even with inclusions of insects and flowers. He was flabbergasted! He looked up at his Brother, who shook the water out of his pelt before whipping some loose strand of hair out of his face.

“I told you I knew exactly what I was looking for~” He grabbed his shirt, putting it back on in one motion and then taking the sack, throwing it over his shoulder. “If you want, we can leave now, we got what we came here for~ Time to return to the outside world~” He smiled at Søren, who gladly accepted. On their way out, Bragi looked at his brother. “Thank you… for joining me down here I mean. I know you’re not very comfortable in places like this… so it means the world to me that you were by my side this time.”

Søren smiled at him, nudging him with his elbow “Are you kidding? This place was amazing! I mean yeah, it was dark in the beginning, and kind of weird knowing that somewhere in this place are a bunch of massive bugs calling this place their home - but the visuals! The colors! Dear Lord Bragi, this experience was AMAZING! I need to thank you for this! Without you, I would have never known such a place even existed!” He jumped around in excitement. “Do you already know what you want the Faelidh to do with these gems?”

His older brother nodded, looking proud of himself. “I’ll need some paper and a quill to make sure my order is understood properly. It might seem a little bit unconventional if I’m being honest, but I believe in the Faelidhs capabilities and skill to work with what I have in mind.”

All the way outside and back to the village they joked and poked fun at each other until they finally reached the Inn. Søren and Bragi parted ways, as the younger of the two welcomed some much needed rest. Meanwhile Bragi prepared his letter to the Faelidh, with a close description of the times he would like to commission from them. There were several, he hoped they’d be willing to make them. He requested an acorn pendant, made from orange and brown amber, with a green amber leaf attached, to show his brother his love and dedication. He ordered a beaded bracelets with one amber bead of every color the sack had to offer, and then the centerpiece of his order - A large hair needle, crafted out of amber and gold, in the shape of a branch, with berries of scarlet and blue amber dangling from the branched end of it. He placed some ores into the sack and shortly after made his way to the nearest Faelidh shrine, mumbling to himself “I really hope Ava will enjoy this~”