"Well let's get go." Atlas said motioning toward the cave. Turkeylegs let out a loud noise of alarm, and took a few steps back, with Dusk on its back. "What's wrong Turkeylegs. It's just a cave come on."
"Turkeylegs doesn't like going underground. When I met them we were underground in a giant shrimp cavern, by a lake, and we were about to be made lunch for the giant crustaceans." Escutcheon softly petted the large bird. "I don't think that they want to go anywhere that's underground." He patted Turkeylegs' side, as the snow started coming down a little bit harder.
"We don't really have a choice," Red said. "I'd rather not go through a tunnel, especially one that I didn't know about until only moments ago, but at the moment we don't have any other options. It looks like what ever storm is going on is coming down this way." Red walked into the cave. "So either it comes into the cave or it freezes to death." His horn lit up and the cave was lit up with a little red light. Atlas followed quickly behind Red to get out of the falling snow.
"Come on Turkeylegs. The underground isn't that bad." Dusk softly patted the large bird's head. "I can see really good in the dark. I'll be your eyes until we pop out okay?" Turkeylegs only answered with a low moan giving the cave entrance a wary look. "Come on we can't stay out here." She patted the bird one last time before hopping off into the snow and walked a few steps toward the cave.
"Come on the snow is only getting worse Turkeylegs." Escutcheon walked next to Dusk. Turkeylegs gave them a soft chirp and took a small step forward.
"That's it come on Turkeylegs. It's okay." Dusk continued to back up with Escutcheon doing likewise as they led the large bird into the cavern. "There see it's a lot better in here than outside right?" Dusk asked as she fluttered back onto Turkeylegs' back. Atlas and Escutcheon's horns lit up adding a bit more light to the cave system.
"The cave opens up into a large chamber a little further in with a series of slopes going up the mountain," Atlas said as he started walking in front of the group. "I believe that they were made back when the Empire ruled over this part of the Continent." The group followed him as he led the way. Turkeylegs walking right next to Escutcheon and giving a glance at Dusk every couple of seconds. "It goes all the way up to the top. Popping up in the basement of the Half Way Inn that's currently run by Gallium Coin. Which was once an inn during the old Empire." His voice took on a more echo quality as they made their way into a giant main chamber. The combined light of the three unicorns forming a small dome of light in an all consuming void that rose instantly above them.
"The Gallium Coin's Half Way Inn. I knew it was old but I didn't know that it went all the way back to the Empire." Red Wine followed Atlas as the elderly unicorn led them to the base of a 35 degree incline going up the inside of the mountain.
"What Empire?" Dusk asked from Turkeylegs' back as they began ascending the mountain. Their steps echoed up and down the large cavern.
"It was what ruled everything from the ocean to the desert before the kingdoms of Tivi and Slo," Escutcheon answered as he cast two additional lights to give them a bit more light as they made their way up. "Hmm." He looked down at the rock between the floor and wall.
"Hmm?" Dusk asked as they continued up the mountain.
"It's nothing." Escutcheon looked back up. "The collapse of the Empire in this area is what has caused so many of the conflicts between Slo and Tivi." Escutcheon and Atlas took turns talking about the old empire as they made their way up. After a few hours they found themselves at the a small landing at the top of the cavernous expanse.
"There should be a door leading to the Half Way Inn just around the corner." Atlas lead them across the landing and around a few of the corners and up a small set of stairs. At the end of which was a solid wood door. Red Wine went up and knocked on the door. He continued for several minutes until they heard a deadbolt being undone on the other side. The door flung open and the group was greeted by a slightly smaller than average mare with earrings. Her coat was coke-cola red with a silver tail and mane. She gave the group a warm smile.
"I wasn't expecting you to come through this way. Come in come in," she said ushering them them into the wine cellar of the inn. "I was told that you were coming. Your rooms aren't ready yet, but I've got a table for you right next to the fireplace. There's a blizzard so the fire is extra warm. I was a little worried to be honest."