The Crystal Mountain by Thomas M. Reid Read Free Book Online

pace with her companion, spying unusual shapes along the bottom.
    Seashells, she realized, and massive ones at that.
    It made no sense to Eirwyn, having seashells within a mountain lake, but she shrugged it off as the whim of the archon ruler of the place.
    Oshiga changed course, diving toward the surface of the water Puzzled, Eirwyn followed him, noting that he angled toward a particularly deep cleft in the lake floor. At first, the angel thought perhaps her eyes were playing tricks on her, but eventually she was certain that faint light glowed from something within that cleft.
    Eirwyn took a huge breath and held it, then braced herself as the two plunged into the crystal-clear lake, expecting the
    water to be icy from mountain runoff. She was surprised when the jolt of crisp cold did not hit her.
    At first, the angel tried to swim, but she caught on quickly that Oshiga still “flew” with his wings, coursing through the water at incredible speed, and if she did not attempt the same mode of travel, she would lag behind. Shrugging, Eirwyn unfurled her own wings and tested them.
    It felt no different to her than gliding through the air.
    “You need not fear drowning here,” Oshiga called to her over his shoulder as they moved deeper into the depths. “You are a guest of Erathaol’s. He has made the way more welcoming.”
    Eirwyn, her chest already aching from holding her breath, released it, and was surprised to find no bubbles escaping her mouth. Tentatively, she drew in a breath. She did not choke on the water. How wonderfully odd, she thought, and began breathing normally.
    As the light from above grew dimmer, the glow from below increased. Eirwyn found that she could see just fine the entire way down. More than once, they startled a school of fish as they passed, sending the creatures scurrying with a flash of silver.
    Before long, they reached the bottom, and Eirwyn stood before a massive edifice made of huge seashells. It rose before her like a great castle, with countless levels towering overhead. The glow she had seen before emanated from within, shining out through windows and doorways scattered all across the imposing structure’s surfaces.
    Oshiga led her to a large portal made from a matching pair of shells. It fanned open like the angel’s own wings and covered the entrance. The twin valves parted before the archon, and
    Eirwyn followed him into a long hallway beyond. The shells sealed themselves shut once they had passed them, leaving both standing in a corridor filled with air rather than water. Eirwyn was perfectly dry.
    “What a fascinating journey,” she said with a smile. “It’s not every day you get the opportunity to fly through the water.”
    “As I said,” Oshiga replied, “Erathaol welcomes you and wished to make the way easy. Come.” He led his charge deeper into the castle.
    Eirwyn followed her guide through numerous hallways, passages, and rooms, marveling at the decoration. Every surface not covered in bookcases featured smooth white stone, perhaps marble, covered with finely etched imagery, often visual tales that stretched for many paces with one scene flowing seamlessly into the next. Sculptures of dainty coral, delicate gold and silver filigree, or highly polished wood, bone, and stone separated the graphic stories, while rich tapestries divided large chambers into smaller, more cozy sections. Luxurious divans, end tables, and throw rugs completed the furnishings, while the entire place glowed with the warmth of faint but soothing amber light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once.
    Eirwyn hardly noticed the grand extravagance of the place, though. The sheer volume of written works completely captivated her.
    She stopped in one great oval room through which they walked, staring awestruck at row upon row of tomes, scrolls, and tablets. They sat upon great bookcases that stretched from floor to ceiling and covered every wall, with more standing free in rows