Trackers 7:Cliffhanger by adorety

Vue • Landscape • posted on Jun 03, 2011

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Description

After a day of hiking they had reached the base of Sky Peak. They left their companions behind and began their ascent on the following morning. After two days of hard climbing they had neared the top. The air was cold and overcast. Winter never fully let loose it's grip at these heights. They each had brought cloaks in their packs on the outset of this expedition in anticipation of climb to the creature's lair. The cloaks were fine during the day as they were moving but last night had been quite cold. It was now near the end of the second day and they had seen no sign of a lair. Tired and cold they followed an ascending ridge with a shear face on their left and a slope that lead to a shear drop on their right. They moved single file each using their polearm for leverage, balance and to test the ground ahead. The talked little, needing all their concentration to keep from falling or slipping. One false move could mean the end, with too much time to contemplate one's life on the way down. They neared the top of the ridge where it would open up when their fears were realized. A rock loosened under her foot and she went down. He turned in time to see her slip and slide down the slope. It was too short a distance to the ledge. He did not stop to think and he dove towards her with his staff extended out in both hands. When she fell, she lost her grip on her scythe and was sliding feet first on her stomach towards a shear drop. She spread her limbs, but the ice and snow were too much. Everything was moving in slow motion and she saw the iron and brass staff appear before her eyes. She reached and gripped hard and began to slow, but it was too late. In another few moments she felt air below her feet and her grip slipped down the staff till she was holding on with one hand. He also spread his legs when she grabbed the staff and he saw their only chance. They were headed right between a pair of stout and stunted evergreens. She slipped between them and he widened his legs even further and his feet hooked into the strong trunks. Roots of these hardy trees broke rock to live here. And there they stopped. His arms burned with the weight he held and the force he used to stop them. Adrenalin rushed in both of them and snow and debris skittered and billowed over the edge. Her great scythe was on its way to the ground below. He watched her dangling with one hand. 'Can you grip with the other hand? I can hold you.' He spoke. She looked up his voice breaking her out of her reverie as she looked at the ground over a thousand feet below. 'Yes'. She whispered. She gave a little swing and on the second try she gripped the staff. His arms, shoulders and back burned, but held tight. She was against the rock face and there were small footholds in the rough surface. Using these and some roots popping out of the rock she climbed up the staff, rock and roots until she reached his arms and he pulled her the rest of the way up where she collapsed in a grunt on top of him. They laid there for a few minutes. Both shook with exertion, fear and a waning adrenalin high. Their breath was short and rapid in the thinner air. Soon they calmed and she rose her head, looked into his eyes and said simply 'Thank you'. He smirked and replied, 'Don't mention it.' She laughed. As she laughed she looked up and saw a gaping hole in the cliffs above. They never would have seen the cave unless they were in this vantage point. She pointed it to him and he too laughed. They would have to back track, but they now knew the turn to take to reach the lair. Thanks much for looking and any comments. Also, I am very happy to say the English publication of 3D Art Direct interviewed me last month and my work made the cover. I got nice placement among some other really great artists. I saw that others from here and C3D have done past interviews. This was very fun and an excellent experience. This link should take you there. 3D Art Direct

Production Credits

No Name
By Christophe3D

Sshodans Cloaks V4
By Sshodan

Comments (27)

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FaeMoon 8:39PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

This is such a dizzying viewpoint! Illustrating the story so very well - the mountain goat is a terrific touch as he watches what is going on. The movement of her cloak, the set of his body, all just so well done! Congratulations on the interview! You completely deserve the honor!

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JohnDelaquiox 8:44PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

FANTASTIC

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Lashia 8:53PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

Wow this is an amazing scene! Love the details in this and the whole composition is amazing- thanks for sharing! :-)

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Orinoor 9:00PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

Great writing and image, you really kept my attention! I also read the interview, very nice and congrats!

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wotan 9:26PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

Very cool scene!

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ArtistKimberly 10:00PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

Wonderful!

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alessimarco 10:39PM | Fri, 03 June 2011

~A fabulously composed scene! Very nice action work!!~

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odile 12:56AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

Very nice scene. Well balanced composition.

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Imaginatos 1:11AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

EXCELLENT scene ! :)

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Bossie_Boots 1:43AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

Fantastic scene and story superb work !

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bigbraader 3:19AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

Great one, excellent action/poses. Nice landscape as well. 5*

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2121 5:31AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

superb..all of if, excellent scene and narrative, wonderful work

geoffwoods 5:34AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

Like yourself I'm a mountain man I love being in alpine areas. and you've captured the alpine mood here beautifully. love it also the goat, great touch. Congratulations on the interview my friend. Geoff.

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Bothellite 6:16AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

NICE job! The story really grips and is an easy read. If you grab my attention deficit brain's attention you've done something good.. Great.

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pixeluna 9:08AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

Such a breathtaking scene, your story telling was so well-thought!

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eekdog 9:19AM | Sat, 04 June 2011

superb work on this scene, excellent story.

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RodS 10:25PM | Sat, 04 June 2011

What an amazing and action-filled piece of artwork - just spectacular! An excellent work to go with an exciting and well-written story! Congrats on the interview and cover! Well deserved from what I've seen!

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