Ragnar and his crew had been on this expedition for two months, but these last three days through treacherous mountain terrain had been the most challenging. The path was narrow and winding, forcing them to move in single file along rocky ledges that dropped into bottomless chasms.
Richard glanced at his worn map constantly, checking landmarks against the parchment's faded markings. His brow was furrowed with concentration as he navigated their group through the maze of stone and cliff faces.
"We should be close now," Richard muttered.
The crew of fourteen men followed behind them, faces showing exhaustion from the long journey. They carried heavy packs filled with hunting equipment, weapons, and supplies for their dangerous mission.
Finally, they reached what appeared to be a dead end. Massive rocks surrounded them on all sides, creating a natural prison of stone that rose hundreds of feet into the air.
