The mountain narrowed considerably near the top, leaving only a relatively small stretch of level ground surrounded by steep cliffs. From up there, the settlement below looked tiny. I could see the four houses and the tavern clearly, along with the winding path we'd taken to get here. The summit itself wasn't much larger than the grounds of Northwood Academy, and most of it was covered in patches of grass, loose rocks, and shrubs clinging to the mountain's surface.
Ahead of us was what appeared to be a cave entrance.
A massive boulder had broken away from the mountainside, leaving a wide opening beneath it. The rock formed a natural arch over the entrance, with jagged edges running along the ceiling. The inside was almost completely dark, but I could make out a rocky slope descending into the mountain. It wasn't a simple shallow cave; the ground dropped steadily downward, disappearing into darkness several metres ahead.
"You think the scientist went down there?" Ken asked.
