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We followed the tunnel with the growing vines for quite some time. The deeper into the path we plunged the thicker the vines became. Initially, the vines ran like veins along the edges of the tunnel, snaking their ways up the sides and along the rooftop. But as we progressed further and further along they began to reach their tendrils out like bony fingers into the space where we walked. At first, it was a simple matter of brushing them out of our faces. However, after a while the vines grew longer and thicker, making movement increasingly more difficult. A few times we resorted to pulling out our knives to cut our way through.
“If this goes on much longer we won't be able to get through at all!” remarked Hank.
It was damp and cool in the tunnel but the work we were exerting to break through was such that I could feel beads of sweat appearing on my skin and trickling down my back. I was just about to suggest that perhaps we turn back and try another path when a beam of light glimmered up ahead through the vines.
“Hank, look!” I cried.
“I see it! Let's hope it's a good sign!” he replied.
With renewed vigor, we rushed to break through the remaining vines. As we did the light grew ever stronger until we finally burst out into a large cavern similar to the one we had entered earlier. The only difference was the breathtaking view that greeted us.
The cavern looked similar to a cathedral carved out of the rock. It was enormous in size, and the ceiling was open to the sky above. Radiant beams of light drifted onto the ground below, which was dirt instead of rock like the rest of the cave. Growing in the center of the hall was the most beautiful tree I had ever laid eyes on.
“The Healinwood.” I murmured.
Like the branch we had seen in the general store, it was a tree of dark wood, that seemed to pulse with a form of energy. Its boughs were sweeping and majestic and hung down until the lower branches were nearly touching the ground. On the branches were countless white buds that would break loose and dance to the ground when stray breezes swept through the cave from above.
“Those petals,” Hank said. “That is where we can find seeds from this tree.”
“I think you're right, but are you ready to get out of here so soon?” I asked.
“No, but I feel that we must hurry. Who knows what sort of nonsense those lazy lumberjacks are dreaming up while we're gone.”
“You're right.” I agreed, with a sigh.
We split up and set about searching through the buds that were strewn across the ground. There were seeds to be found, but not every bud contained one, so it took some work. But the work was easy enough and I had soon amassed a decent number.
“Come on, Randy, let's start wrapping things up,” Hank said to me after several minutes.
I heeded Hank's call and began to scoop the seeds I had found into a leather carrying pouch. It was at that moment that there was an ominous noise from the opposite side of the hall that made me stop dead in my tracks.