[ WP ] `` It would serve you well to fear the sky . ''

`` Did n't yer parents teach ya anything?'' The large and sturdy old man, Kendrell, puffed on his pipe and took another disapproving look at the group of men assembled before him. Kendrell owned the best-stocked shop in the underground, but he charged in gossip just as much as coin. `` Now listen, yer not the first group of foolhardy youth come to me lookin' to go to the surface, but I'll be damned before I pat ya on the back and let ya march off to yer early deaths. What makes ya any different than them other'explorers' that I never heard from again?'' The conversation was situated at a large stone table in the back rooms of Kendrell's establishment. The place was extremely well lit and had running water, markings of wealth in the underground. 
 
 `` Well, Kendrell, you might be surprised to know that we have a map leading us straight to the surface,'' Asher, the eldest of the explorers, stated proudly. `` We're a resourceful bunch, though we may not look it. We've charted and explored much of the underground, and camped for weeks outside of any settlement. We're not amateurs, and we are taking great care in our preparations, that's why we've come to you.'' 
 
 Kendrell's face twisted into an amused grin as Asher was speaking. Once he was finished, he made a great show of stroking his chin and pretending to actually consider their chances of success. `` Well it seems like ye've got it all figured out then! Ye'll make it to the surface indeed. Come take a look at my supplies, tell me what ya think- oh excuse me, what ya *know* ye'll need.'' He gestured widely at his stockroom, and even got up to adopt an obviously patronizing submissive stance. After a moment of pause and tentative silence, he straightened his back and puffed on his pipe again, his amused grin now absent. `` Leave. Ya do n't know what yer talkin' about, and I wo n't help ya die sooner than ya ought.'' 
 
 Rahn, a member of Asher's crew, spoke up, his brows furrowed and his cheeks red, `` Well why not you cryptic geezer!? You know something that you're not telling! What could we possibly be overlooking?'' The rest of the explorers shot disapproving looks at Rahn for his outburst. 
 
 `` What my friend here is saying is that we could use your insight, Kendrell,'' Asher interjected, giving Rahn a stern look. `` You certainly must know something for you to disapprove so strongly. I'll tell you now that we're not easily dissuaded, so you can either help us or leave us to find someone less competent than yourself.'' 
 
 Kendrell sat back down and spent a few moments looking at the ceiling and puffing on his pipe. `` Ye've been so set on being able to find the surface that ye've never stopped to wonder if the surface wants to be found.'' He narrowed his eyes at Asher and leaned in towards the table. `` I know that route on yer map. I've made the trip myself. It's the one that starts at Opal Hollow and goes up through the mines?'' He asked Asher, who took a moment to unfurl the map before nodding solemnly. Kendrell was supposed to be well-informed, but Asher and his crew had spent years tracking this map down. `` I'm sure ye've heard the legends saying we was n't always underground, that we were forced to retreat when the sky came crashin' down on us with unrivaled cruelty. Most folk would call you crazy for believing legends like that, and can ya blame them?'The sky, the sun, and the stars?' Most folks ca n't even understand what underground means.'' He took the pipe from his mouth and placed it on the table and leaned back in his chair. The entire group leaned forward, enthralled, as if tied to him by a tether. He looked towards the ceiling and continued in a more wavering voice, almost as if he was talking to himself. 
 
 `` But I saw it. I saw the sky and as soon as I did, I felt it see me as well. I felt it's outrage in my heart. The thing is wider than ya can imagine, but I felt it's drive to punish me for findin' it. I saw it strike back at my friends and I with crashin' gales that could split the very earth we make our homes in. I saw the men and women I'd shared most of my life with find their end underneath it's fury.'' Kendrell lowered his head, eyes red and slightly glossy. `` I do n't know why it hates us so much, but the sky does n't want to see us. It proved that to me when it took away my friends.'' The once commanding presence of the old man had suddenly become melancholic, and the explorers held their eyes low in respect to Kendrell. 
 
 `` If ya find that ya love the ones ya travel with, it would serve ya well to fear the sky.'' 
 
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 *Hey, this was my first writing prompt reply! I hoped you liked it. Please feel free to tell me what you liked and what you did n't like. *
