Wader the Frog
Wader and Scid reached the base of the granite mountains as twilight descended, casting long shadows over the rocky terrain. The air was crisp and cool, and the distant sound of rushing water echoed from a nearby stream. They paused to catch their breath and take in the sight before them—towering peaks loomed overhead, their jagged edges almost touching the sky.
“Well, we've made it to the mountains,” Wader said, looking up at the path ahead. “Now we just have to solve the riddles and get through.”
“You're sure we can handle it, right?” Scid asked, a flicker of doubt in her voice.
“We can do it. Together,” Wader replied confidently, though his heart raced at the thought of the challenges ahead.
As they walked along the path, the scroll in Wader's satchel began to glow once more, and the words rearranged themselves:
"The riddles ahead will test your might, But the answers are provable, if you're right. Look for the overlap in what you know, And the path will reveal where to go."
They continued onward, passing large boulders and steep cliffs. Soon, they reached a clearing where a small stream ran through the rocks, its water sparkling in the moonlight. Perched on a stone near the water's edge was a plover, its feathers soft and white, and its sharp eyes focused on the travelers.
“Ah, a bird of wisdom,” Wader said, recognizing the creature. “Maybe this is where the riddle begins.”
The plover spoke in a low, melodic voice. “To pass, you must answer this:
What's found in the lobe of a heart, And also inside the soul's chart? It's above the ground and sometimes far, Yet it's in your grasp, like a shining opal star.”
Wader and Scid exchanged puzzled looks.
“Well, it's not aloe—that's for sure,” Scid mused. “Maybe it's something that's both physical and spiritual?”
Wader thought for a moment. “It says 'found in the lobe of a heart,' which might mean love, right? And it's above the ground, like something precious. An opal is a gemstone, and a gemstone could represent something rare or valuable.”
The plover watched them closely, waiting for an answer.
“I think the answer is 'love',” Wader said, his voice steady. “It's found in the heart, it's a powerful force in the soul, and it's something that can feel as precious as an opal.”
The plover nodded slowly, a smile forming on its beak. “You are correct, young traveler. Love is the key that unlocks the next part of your journey. You may pass.”
With that, the plover took flight, disappearing into the night sky. As it flew, the stars above seemed to overlap, forming a new path in the heavens, pointing toward the next stage of their quest.
Wader looked down at the scroll, which had begun to glow brighter. The next riddle appeared:
"The alp ahead is steep and high, But don't be afraid, just look to the sky. The answers are provable, that's clear to see, And the path will open when you trust in me."
Wader took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead, but with Scid by his side and his own resolve growing stronger, he knew they were ready.