Words All The Way Down

Inspired by the following prompt: [WP] a giant will spend its life carving a mountain into a great horn that takes all its remaining breath to blow. some claim that each of the peoples of the world were created by the sound of one of these horns. sometimes, after strong winds, amnesiac strangers appear near these mountains.

Yanni pulled his sheepskin vest tighter, shivering in the morning twilight. The light from his oil lantern reflected back at him from the all encompassing fog. The wind had howled through the mountain range last night, a clear indication that Yanni, as the town’s Courier, was in for a busy day.

He rushed up the mountain, planning out the fastest route to the mouth of the cave of the Newborn. The Newborn wouldn’t last in this cold for long on their own.

In his rush, Yanni’s foot slipped on wet rocks, sending him to his knees. His lantern slipped from his grasp landing on the ground with a thud and putting out the flame. Shrugging off his pack, Yanni hurriedly looked for a flint and steel. The Newborn were drawn to fire, and without his lantern it would be almost impossible to find them.

With a crack, he lit the lantern and started on his way up the mountain again. As he went higher, the wind started to pick up, remnants from last nights storm. Then, when Yanni was sure he was nearby the mouth of the cave a strong gust of wind knocked him on his behind and blew out his lantern again. Another howl sounded through the mountain range.

Yanni reached for his flint and steel as the sun began to rise. With a lit lamp, he turned his gaze up the mountain to see the new dawn reflect off the top lip of the cave of the Newborn. Slowly, he approached the entrance, careful not to make any sudden moves that would startle any inhabitants.

Fortunately, the creator of the horn ensured that all Newborn shared the a common language with the surrounding towns.

Yanni cleared his throat and called out, “Come here. I have food. And there’s a lot I need to explain to you.”

He pulled at his sheepskin vest again as four pairs of curious eyes peeked out from behind a rock, reflecting the oil lantern’s light back at him.