​

​​​​​​​

Chapter X — Shadows Beneath the Falls

Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley National Park

​

The following morning, the father and son prepared to leave Condor.

The people of the settlement wished them well, providing fresh supplies for their journey toward the distant waterfalls.

The local boy accompanied them beyond the last houses, where the narrow trail wound between towering formations of red stone.

For a while, neither child spoke.

Finally, the son turned toward his friend.

“I wish you could come with us.”

The local boy smiled.

“Someone has to keep exploring these mountains.”

The son laughed.

“And fixing all those broken lifts.”

“Exactly.”

They shook hands.

Then the local boy looked at the red scarf around his friend's neck.

“Don't lose that.”

“I won't.”

“And when you come back, I'll show you the highest climbing path in Pinnacles.”

The son grinned.

“I'll be ready.”

The father watched the exchange with a quiet smile.

His son had found something rare during their time in Condor: a friend who understood his curiosity and shared his love of adventure.

It was a friendship he hoped would endure long after they had left the desert behind.

With a final farewell, the father and son continued down the trail.

Behind them, the red mountains of Pinnacles glowed beneath the morning sun.

The son glanced back one last time.

His friend was still standing on the ridge, waving.

The boy raised his hand in return.

Then the winding trail carried them beyond the rocks, and the settlement disappeared from view.

Ahead lay a greener country, where great rivers descended from the mountains and magnificent waterfalls filled the valleys with mist.

​

And somewhere beyond them, the Silent Healing Valley still awaited.

​

Far beyond the desert mountains, where great waterfalls thundered into deep, mist-covered valleys, two figures stood beneath the thunderous roars of a graceful waterfall.

​

The moon had risen above the cliffs, illuminating the enormous curtain of falling water.

One figure stood motionless near the edge of the torrent, little more than a dark silhouette against the shimmering white spray.

The other approached along a narrow passage concealed behind the rocks.

“They've left Pinnacles,” the traveler reported.

The shadowed figure did not turn.

“And the stones?”

“They possess two.”

For a moment, neither spoke.

The endless thunder of the waterfall filled the silence between them.

“Then everything is proceeding as expected.”

The traveler glanced toward the enormous waterfall.

“Shall I guide them here?”

“Yes. They'll be unfamiliar with this country. Offer them your help, but allow them to believe they've discovered the way themselves.”

“And when they arrive?”

The mysterious figure turned slightly toward the falling water.

“Everything will be waiting.”

The traveler hesitated.

“And if they become suspicious?”

“They won't. Their journey has already taught them to trust those who offer assistance.”

The figure stepped closer to the dark passage behind the waterfall.

“Use that trust wisely.”

The traveler bowed his head and disappeared along the narrow path.

For a long while, the mysterious figure remained beneath the archway, watching the moonlight shimmer across the thundering water.

Beyond the falls, something stirred in the darkness.

The figure made no attempt to look toward it.

Instead, a faint smile appeared beneath the shadow of his hood.

“It's been a long time, old friend.”

​​

​​​