Free The Improbable Adventures of Scar and Potbelly: Ice Terraces of Crystal Crag by Brian S. Pratt Page B

But,” he slipped them into his pocket, “a deal is a deal. Never let it be said that Adam Bearfriend went back on his word.”
    Scar and Potbelly busied themselves preparing for departure.
    “Seems nice enough,” Potbelly said to Scar in a quiet aside.
    “Appearances can be deceiving,” warned Scar.
    “True.”
    “Don’t let down your guard.”
    “I won’t,” Potbelly assured him.
    Once packs were secured and they were mounted, Adam took his mule by the reins and headed off to the south.
    “How far is it to Moonshine Rock?” Scar asked.
    “Two days,” Adam replied. “First we make our way to Rackun’s Switchback; that will take us to the base of the falls. We’ll camp there tonight. Then the following morning we cross yonder valley to Moonshine Rock.”
    “Sounds easy enough.”
    Adam turned to Scar. “Never assume these mountains are easy, son. Else they may chew the life right out of you.”
    “I won’t,” Scar said then turned to Potbelly and rolled his eyes once Adam turned back to the fore.
     
    Rackun’s Switchback was an incredibly steep trail with many a sharp turns from the top of the drop off down to the valley floor. It was narrow and Adam had them dismount to traverse it. Mist from waterfalls on either side made traction treacherous.
    “Are you serious?” Scar asked as he stood at the top. One misstep and they would plummet to their deaths sure as anything.
    “Quite,” Adam replied. “Watch your step, keep a tight hold on your steeds, and I’ll meet you at the bottom.”
    “You’ve taken this route before?” Potbelly asked.
    “A couple times,” he replied. “Just follow me and leave some room between each other…” he paused and then said, “just in case.”
    “Great,” groaned Scar.
    Adam stepped to the beginning of the Switchback and started down. His mule followed obediently behind.
    Scar came next and his horse balked.
    “Put a hood on it,” Adam suggested.
    “We don’t have any.”
    “Oh, well I just happen to have a couple.”
    Adam returned to the top and after rummaging around in his packs, produced two hoods. “That will be four coppers.”
    “Can’t we just borrow them?” Potbelly asked.
    “I never sell used goods.”
    Scar looked ready to argue but Potbelly handed over the requested coins. He gave one to Scar. Once their horses were hooded, they walked onto the Switchback without hesitation.
    “Be careful,” Adam advised. “The footing is slippery at best.”
    “Then why did we come this way,” grumbled Scar.
    Not three steps from the top his foot slipped out from under him and he barely caught himself in time.
    Potbelly brought up the rear. He watched his footing closely and made sure each placement was secure before trusting his entire weight on it.
    They would progress fifty feet then reach where the trail doubled back. The turns were the most stressful as the horses were almost too large to adequately make them. Rocks broke loose from the edge, footings would slip and if not for their hold on the reins, they would have plummeted to their deaths at least a half dozen times.
    It took nearly two hours for them to reach the bottom; Adam was there in half that time. He had a fire ready and a pot of beans simmering for when they arrived.
    “Now that wasn’t so bad?” he asked.
    “Oh, no,” replied Scar. “Nearly fell to my death every other foot. But aside from that it went well.”
    Adam laughed. “That’s the spirit.” When Scar flashed him a look screaming his patience was at an end, the trapper said, “Tomorrow will be a whole lot easier.”
    “How far is it?” Potbelly asked.
    Adam glanced east and pointed to a rocky protrusion at the ridge on the far side of the valley. “Don’t know if you can see it, but that’s Moonshine Rock.”
    “It’s quite a ways.”
    “Yes,” agreed Adam. “But if we get an early start we will be there by nightfall.”
    “Are you sure?” Scar asked.
    He gestured to his mule. “Old Johnny Boy and