Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Twenty-Eight

     The QuinJet rested on a clearing of flat pressed snow. Mountains rose behind the jet as we exited and scratched at the sky above. The sky was a clear, crystal blue with a few fluffy, white clouds dotting around. The heroes were already making their way through the packed snow and toward what looked like a road. As Tony started off toward them, his hand pulled from mine to balance the weight of the suitcases. I trailed after him, still gawking up in awe at the mountains in front of me. I'd seen mountains before but never so beautiful. The mountains in Niger were tall but flat at the top and rarely had snow at the top. And there were never in long sprawling ranges like these were. African mountains were beautiful but this was something else. I turned around with every intention of catching up to Tony but the view caught my eye first. It was so beautiful. I walked in a daze to the edge of the packed snow to get a better look at the village. Colorful houses, like that harbor in Copenhagen, were sprinkled around the descending hillside. Mountains curved around the entire back of the village and fully encircled it until they ran into the ocean. The frozen vastness seemed to stretch on forever as far as the eye can see, the only small gap of the mountains was where the frozen sea kissed the blue sky. Scattered along the packed roads were bundled up people going about there day. Children playful screams fill the air and the barking of dogs accompanied them. Smoke billowed out of ever chimney and ran up to the sky like ropes keeping it from floating away. I gasped out at the sight, my breath fogging up the air in front of me.

     "Earth to Lucy," Tony's voice appeared next to me. I jumped slightly and looked over at him. I couldn't see his mouth but I could tell from his eyes that he was smiling down at me. I looked back down at the village.

     "It's beautiful, isn't it," I exhaled, my breath coiling out in front of me again. "There are so many beautiful places in the world that I never knew existed," I trailed off, shaking my head slightly, eyes never leaving the village.

     "I'll show you them all once this is all over, but first my dear, we need to get you inside before your nose falls off," Tony laughably slightly, grabbing my hand in his again. "Come on, I rented us a house. It's not far." We began walking away from the view and after the heroes. They were far ahead of us but that didn't matter. A few children ran up to them and circled around them. Tony was right. The walk to the house he'd rented took only about 5 minutes, down hill. Soon enough we were walking around the back of a bright blue house. He pulled the door open for me and motioned for me to enter in front of him. We entered into what was most likely a sun room. All the gear from the others was hung neatly around the room, boots discarded on the ground haphazardly, and gloves, hats, and scarves thrown randomly on benches. I shoved off the snow gear and stored it carefully along with the rest. I glanced back at Tony who was stomping the snow off his shoes. He pulled his scarf from around his mouth and smiled over at me.

     "Go on sweetheart, go get warm," he ushered. I leaned over and kissed his cheek quickly before turning to the other door behind me. This one was thicker and heavier to pull open. As I stepped over the threshold and the warmth of this house enveloped me like a long awaited hug. My knit socks slid across the wooden floor was I entered into the kitchen and dinning room. This whole first floor was completely open. The kitchen bled into the living room seamlessly. The rest of the heroes were milling around the couches and armchairs in the living room. Tony suddenly appeared and looped his arm around mine.

     "Come on Lucy, there's so much to see," Tony whispered to me, excitement light in his voice. I smiled up at him as we walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. The ceiling flung itself up and vaulted overhead. This room sparkled with natural sunlight that seeped in from the many windows that covered almost all the wall space. Couches and chairs made a kind of semi-circle in front of an enormous fireplace. It was entirely stone and stretched up to the ceiling high above our heads. It was at least six feet wide if not wider. A welcoming fire was already cracking happily in the hearth and was being stoked by James. An oak desk was pushed into the corner to the right of the fireplace, at one of the only places on either wall that wasn't covered in windows. I turned to looked around slowly. High above was a loft that was surrounded by a wooden railing with stairs pressed against the wood of the wall where the windows finally came to an end. I assumed that was where the rooms were since there wasn't any room down here for them. I turned back to the magnificent living room in front of me. Next to every chair and couch was a small, oak end table to match that of the desk and one larger coffee table in the center of them. Also scattered about were an odd amount of lamps.