It was a miracle that he found the old man. Who knew one so old could hobble so quickly?

"It will be a miracle if you make it. Even moreso if survive." The old man leaned on his driftwood walking stick, wiping the sweat from his brow. The noonday sun beat down on them both.

"Enough! Simply tell me what I must do." The old man just laughed, the Prince's brow furrowing in frustration. He held his sword hand.

"Tell me how to do this, now tell me how to fix that." The old man pointed downstream. "Follow the riverbed for three days. It will pass through a tall canyon, the bottom of which is only visible when the sun is at its peak. At this time an entrance will open. It will take you to what you seek." He turned and began to walk away. "Do not linger there more than is necessary."

The Prince arched an eyebrow, calling out after him. "And why is that old man? I do not fear the dark."

The old man shook his head, turning to leave. "That is good, it is not the dark you should fear."

---

The Prince shook his head, staring down into the darkness of the canyon. He was early, the sun had not reached its apex. He grumbled to himself, squinting to see into the veiled shadows below.

"Crazy old man...I fear nothing, and why should I? There is nothing here but dust and sand."

He repeated this to himself several times as he descended, and even moreso as the darkness of the canyon enveloped him at the bottom.

And the experiment continues! Tried out a new brush with this one. I don't do many scenary pictures so this was sort of fun. :) I need some sleep.