02 The Jagged Mountains

CHAPTER 2 THE JAGGED MOUNTAINS The sun had started to set as Tag and Blaze landed softly in the snow. They had flown all day without stopping. Now they stood at the bottom of a tall mountain. "We've reached the Jagged Mountains," Tag said.

"We flew so fast," Skyla said, jumping off Blaze's back. "I bet Thorn is waaaay behind us!" "There's no sign of The Shadow," Tag agreed, shivering. "But a storm is coming." HOOOOOOWOOOOOO! The wind howled. Snowflakes swirled above them. Skyla rubbed her paws together. "It's so cold!" she said. She wrapped her thick tail around herself. Tag looked at the mountain. "The Crystal Caverns must be on the other side of this," he said. "No fly?" Blaze asked, as the wind blew harder. "No, Blaze," Tag said. "We can't fly—not through this storm." "We could camp here until it's over?" Skyla suggested.

Tag shook his head. "We have to keep moving." He looked up. The mountain was so tall, it disappeared beneath the clouds. "We will have to climb." "To the top?!" Skyla squeaked. Tag patted his sack to make sure the stone was safe. "We have to find the next piece of the Ember Stone before Thorn finds us." The friends started the steep climb up the mountainside. The snow fell fast as they climbed higher, until they could hardly see.

"B-b-b-blaze," Skyla said, her teeth chattering. "Could your fire keep us warm?" "Peep!" said Blaze. "The clouds should hide your firelight, but don't let your wings get too bright," Tag warned Blaze. Blaze thought for a moment, then nodded. Her wings began to glow. Her fiery feathers got warmer and brighter. Soon, Tag and Skyla started to warm up. The three friends pushed on through the storm. Finally, they reached the top of the Jagged Mountains.

Tag dropped his sack. The sky was clear. The moon was full and bright. "You can see the whole of Perodia from here!" Skyla said. Blaze ruffled her feathers. "Peep!" she cried, pointing her beak into the distance. The land to the north glowed white as far as the eye could see. In the very middle, rose a huge, sparkly diamond. Tag grinned at his friends. "We've found the Crystal Caverns!"