The Quest for the Temple Key

Peter had lost track of time, but guessed that it had been several hours since hearing the devastating revelations from Kimar and Ercen. He did know he’d been sitting next to Amy so long, with his arm tossed over her shoulder, that his hand had gone completely numb. He also knew he wasn’t inclined to remove it.

Danielle had perched herself next to Kimar not long after learning about his relationship to Kahrnahrgx. The gargoyle’s huge shoulders were hunched over so that he looked very much like the stone versions hanging off the sides of old church buildings. His hands were propped stiffly against the edge of the rock face. Silently, Danielle and Kimar both surveyed the comings and goings of other gargoyles, flying over the lake and occasionally plunging into it.

Danielle couldn’t help smiling as she observed numerous gargoyles’ cycles of flying and swimming. She remembered, wistfully, how she’d exulted in this cycle herself only a few hours earlier that day. But that wonderful experience seemed far behind in her past now, simply because of the terrible disclosures they’d learned.

Kimar had not moved the entire time she’d been sitting next to him. Impulsively, she placed her hand on his, carefully avoiding the protruding talons jutting into the air. Uncertain why she did so, she gave his huge hand a little squeeze.

She could feel a slight tremor ripple through his hand.

“Yes?” he asked, softly.

“Nothing,” she replied, determinedly leaving her hand where it was.