At Edric’s side she could hear the steady breathing of Ehren’s sleeping form still lying against his brother’s side. It wasn’t until she started to sit up that she became aware of a hand lightly positioned at her waist, a gentle pressure hugging her closer to Edric. He was conscious. The movement of his arm was a sign that he had awakened at some point during the evening, though when, she couldn’t know for sure. She’d been exhausted. Very little would have disturbed her from the slumber she’d fallen into. As his hand slid away she felt Edric’s body twitch, startled by the sudden movement of Neomi against him.
Relief flooded her to see his eyes open, their soft blue glow staring up at her from where he lay. He was alive. “Edric…” His name fell from her lips before she could stop it. Fearful of having been overheard she cast a nervous glance over her shoulder, listening intently for the sound of her brother stirring. The silence told her nothing. Onuric was sly when he wanted to be. If he heard Neomi speak, he would keep quiet in attempts to fool her into thinking he was asleep; in hopes of catching her doing or saying something she shouldn’t. No. She couldn’t talk to Edric now. They would have to wait.
Edric’s muscles tensed, slowly becoming more cognizant of his surroundings. Sitting up, the fur around his torso fell away, bringing his lack of clothing to his attention. “Where are…” he snatched at the blanket, pulling it back around his chest protectively. She couldn’t help but smile, patting his arm gently.
“Your clothes are drying. They should be safe to wear again by morning.”
“Why am I not… wearing anything?”
“We could not leave you in the wet garments. You would have frozen to death – which you nearly did anyway.”
The light from Edric’s eyes dimmed slightly in the dark, revealing his embarrassment. “Did you…?”
“Onuric removed them. Do not worry.” She cast another look over her shoulder, uneasy by the silence which remained. No longer did she hold any doubt of her brother’s wakefulness. Their voices would have woken him by now. He was like a fly in the dark, listening to their every breath, judging the distance between them… “You will be fine. Come morning, however, we will be continuing onward. Do you think you are well enough to accompany us?”
“I… It does not matter. I will go with you regardless of my health. But Ehren – what of him? Is he safe?”
“Ehren is fine. He sleeps at your side as we speak.”
“And you? Neomi, I have been wanting to speak with you –”
She said nothing, not wanting to draw her brother’s attention to her suspicious behavior. Calculating the location of Edric’s mouth from the light of his eyes she reached into the darkness, pressing her index finger against his lips to silence him. She hoped he understood the reason why she couldn’t let him say anything more. Things were different now than they were with Moinie in Isavo. It was unfortunate that Ewei had taken note of their failed attempts to conceal an affair but if Onuric learned of their indiscretion it would destroy any chance they might have at being together once the Avaern was killed.
“Sleep,” she commanded quietly, gently placing her hand against his chest to guide him back to the ground. “You will need your rest if you are going to be well enough to come with us in the morning.”
To her relief he made no effort to argue. Her reasons were clear without the use of words. Edric was a smart man. It wouldn’t take much for him to consider the possible consequences of saying anything with the others so close. Obedient, he lowered under Neomi’s hand, the brilliant glow of his eyes fixed on her in the dark. Oh, how she wanted to tell him everything! She could still see the pain in the depths of his gaze, wistful, longing, mingled with the confusion at the sudden care she showed him. Being near her was torture for him. Yet he did it willingly. His fingertips remained at her waist, seemingly hesitant to release her in case he woke to find her company nothing more than a dream. But she wasn’t going anywhere. He just didn’t know it.
Soon. She would tell him soon. The cave would present opportunities that the open landscape couldn’t. Twists and turns in the pathways which would place walls between them and the others. If she could find a way to lag behind the group and steal him away… It was the only chance she would have to get him alone, away from the watchful eyes of her brother and the prying ears of Ewei. This war would be easier for them both if she told Edric the truth before they proceeded much further. You will need plenty of time to plan your escape from Nahedu together. It sounded so simple in her mind. Somehow she knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. Nothing ever was.
Edric trudged along behind the others, closed off and awkward. He wasn’t sure if he was fully recovered from his lapse into unconsciousness but there wasn’t time for him to recuperate. They had a mission to do. If his intention was to sacrifice his life in the end, it seemed pointless to waste any more time on his health than they already had. What difference would it make if he was frostbitten and sluggish when his spirit was taken into the blade?
His discomfort went beyond the cold. Marked for death or not, he still possessed a great deal of pride, and it wounded him to think of what he must look like to Onuric. After all his hard work to try and gain the respect of the Ovatai and he had to go and do something foolish like nearly freezing to death. It was bad enough to wake up and discover that his clothes were removed, covered by nothing but the fur used by the Ovatai for warmth.
He shuddered at the thought. It was a disconcerting feeling to be so exposed. Why couldn’t they hurry up and find the weapon so he could end his torment and cease the constant worry about what opinion these men held for him. Their impression wouldn’t matter once he was dead and the Avaern was destroyed.
Still, there were other things which weighed heavily on his mind. Neomi. She was behaving oddly. Ever since her arrival to their group, she didn’t appear herself. The harshness of her attitude was significantly lessened, revealing a more compassionate side that he wasn’t used to seeing in her. Not since she had nearly died to save him in Isavo when she feared the Ythes would kill him. There was a noticeable change in her… he just couldn’t understand what caused it – or why. Whatever it was, Onuric appeared very aware of the difference. He watched her constantly, never letting her out of his sight, an occasional sharp glance in Edric’s direction telling him that it was best the two stay as far apart as possible. Edric hated not knowing what transpired while he was unconscious. Had Neomi and her brother argued? Was there some tension there that he wasn’t aware of, or was he just being paranoid because of his fear of what Onuric thought of him?
Don’t think about it. That was easier said than done. He was surrounded by silence which left him with only the company of his thoughts to entertain his time while they moved through the winding path of the cave. It was larger than he anticipated. Under any other circumstance he might have taken pleasure in the discovery. If what Naphul told them was accurate, they were seeing something which had not been observed by anyone for years. Centuries. Possibly millennia. There was no way to know when the supposed Ythes guards had last protected the entrance, if they ever had to begin with. Everything was speculation. Edric didn’t want to risk getting his hopes up over the convenient coincidences with Naphul’s story only to find that it was nothing but a dead end. It remained an unfortunate truth that the presence of the cave might have been pure happenstance. Caves weren’t exactly rare. Its existence didn’t mean there was anything of importance concealed within. Just a means for Naphul to use in hopes of gaining his freedom.
The only thing about the location which lent credibility to the story was the unusual design. For a cave formed of ice and snow, it was remarkably detailed. Time had taken its toll and warped the walkways and ceilings but it was their shape that seemed indicative of a less than natural formation. The pathways followed the edges a little too perfectly. Each opening pressed deeper into the cave without sign of anything which could have caused the progression. No wind, no water – it was just there. Like an inverted s
culpture. Cut into the mountain from the inside out.
Around them the walls were slowly starting to narrow. Edric was reminded of the twisting corridors of Okivra’s home leading into the prison, the way they wove through the ground, pressing in on him like a claustrophobic’s nightmare. Somehow this was worse. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that no one had traversed these paths in so long. At Okivra’s home, they knew the way through the tunnels. Here, they were at the mercy of the mountain, praying the snow wouldn’t collapse on them, blocking them in to trap them inside this awful place forever. He was prepared to die, but only for the cause. Pointless death would never do. No one would ever find their bodies to speak of their heroic efforts. They would just be… lost.
Overhead he felt something bump his hair, catching his attention in the dim light of Neomi’s figure in front of him, revealing the slowly sloping ceiling which bore down on them, forcing them to crouch, lower and lower with every step. He wasn’t sure how much further they should risk traveling like this. There was no telling where it would lead – if it even led anywhere. The pressure of the narrow passage was starting to bother him more than he liked to admit.
The others made no effort to slow their pace. Gradually the slope of the ceiling left them with no choice other than to crawl, inching along the cold ground to slide through the icy passage. His fingers slipped over the ice, making it difficult to get a good grip to pull himself forward. It did nothing to ease his anxiety over the fear of getting stuck. Just keep breathing. Hyperventilating would be the worst thing he could do. He just needed to not think about it. Don’t look. Close your eyes. It didn’t do him any good. All he could think about was the tightness of the walls around him. What if it doesn’t widen? What if we can’t turn around? He was making it worse. The mere thought of having to slide backward through this tiny tunnel made his heart race, quickening his pulse to an uncomfortable rate until he thought he was going to go mad. He needed out of there. Now.
Pausing in his slow crawl he laid his head down on the ground, desperately trying to regain control of his senses. He couldn’t turn back. It wasn’t an option. He needed to get a hold of himself. Slow, steady breaths. There was no reason to panic yet. Despite the cramped space, it hadn’t pressed in any tighter for some time. If it became too small, the others would stop. Onuric wouldn’t let them get stuck. He just needed to trust that Onuric knew what he was doing.
Shakily Edric reached out, pulling himself forward another inch. Keep going. The tunnel would have to open up again eventually. A weapon wouldn’t have been kept in a mere crawlspace. Judging by the design of the rest of the cave, it appeared to have been created – molded – specifically for some purpose. If that purpose was the concealment of a weapon, whoever made this place would have put more thought into the resting place of the object. The tunnel was likely nothing more than an obstacle to get in the way of anyone who might seek it.
They remained in the confines of the passage for what felt like hours before Edric heard the sound of scratching coming from somewhere in the distance, voices ringing through the narrow space. Conversation was impossible inside the tunnel. If they were speaking, it had to mean that they had reached the end. Could it be? His entire body tingled with anticipation at the thought. He longed to stand and stretch his legs. The opening couldn’t be seen until Ehren’s body squeezed through the tiny hole at the end, a rush of fresh air greeting Edric’s face with a welcome burst. With renewed fervor he slid across the ground, accepting his brother’s hand to help pull him out and to his feet, shivering, though it wasn’t only from the cold. His nerves had been stretched to the limit for so long. Finally free, his knees trembled, muscles aching, a wave of exhaustion threatening, reminding him of his compromised health.
Once he managed to catch his breath he let his eyes sweep across the area, awed by what he saw. They were in a cavern of some kind, the ground they stood on positioned high on the wall, a sharp drop off the side making their footing more treacherous, requiring great care in movement. Long strands of ice hung from the ceiling at varying lengths, like large, thick spikes dangling over their heads. Curious of what was below them Edric forced his legs to move away from the wall, peering down, surprised to find the area somewhat illuminated by an unknown natural source of light. It looked to be the light of the sun, though how it would reach them remained a mystery. Holes, perhaps? Over the years it was possible areas of the cave’s ceiling had collapsed under the weight which bore down on it. The thought of other exits brought a wash of relief over Edric. If they didn’t have to wade through that water again, he was willing to do almost anything… but what did it matter? He wouldn’t be leaving with the others anyway.
Dejected, he lowered his head, staring down at the radiant glow of the sun brightening several small sections of the snow. The ground was flatter than he expected, resembling a frozen lake in the middle of winter rather than the solid surface they found in the rest of the cave. Given their location, it was very possible there could be water below the thick icy surface. Rivers and streams cut through the northern regions of Ethrysta to bring water to and from the sea. Combined with the ever shifting and melting glaciers in the area, pockets of water were more likely to be found here than anywhere else they’d explored.
A gentle tug on the back of his doublet jarred him from his thoughts, turning to face who stood behind him. Ehren’s pale features looked drawn in the faint light given off by Onuric’s body a few feet away. His brother was in need of rest. After their long journey through the tunnel, it seemed a good time to pause and gather their strength before continuing. But Onuric would never allow it. He was an impenetrable force as a leader. Nothing stood in his way once he set a goal. And right now his goal was finding that weapon. Until they accomplished that, they wouldn’t have the luxury of rest. Even now he was already moving away from the group, forging ahead deeper into the cave. Not wanting to be left behind, Edric hurried forward, taking his place behind his brother and the Ovatai men, Neomi’s slender figure the only one who lingered at his back.
The path they took cut through the wall, moving away from the spacious cavern and deep into the snowy mountain once again. He took comfort in the fact that the passageways were wider than before. If the walls pressed in on them again, he wasn’t sure he would have the strength to crawl any further. His arms were shaking and tired, the muscles worn from the exertion of their previous efforts.
They walked on in silence until they came to a fork in the passage, Onuric’s sturdy form coming to a halt, peering into the darkness in both directions, considering their options carefully. The others followed him to the right, slow and cautious, unsure of what to expect. To that point the path had been clear. Edric wasn’t sure what they would do if the twists and turns became more complex. Their chances of getting lost in there would increase significantly. They would need to find a way to mark their path so they could find their way back and investigate different branches of the tunnels, leaving no corner left unchecked. A muffled curse from the front of the group stopped them in their tracks, Onuric’s hand reaching out to rest against a solid wall blocking the passage in front of them.
“It is a dead end,” he grumbled. In a huff he turned around, pushing through the group to move back the way they’d come. Edric lingered at the wall, staring up at it in wonder. The surface was perfectly smooth, like a sheet of glass cut to the shape of the passage. Entranced, he let his fingertips brush over it, the gloves he wore preventing him from feeling the coolness of the ice. There was something about it. He felt drawn to it, though he didn’t understand why. There was nothing there. They would have to backtrack and find their way to the main passage.
When Edric turned to follow the others he found his path blocked by Neomi’s defiant form, her hand reaching out to cover his mouth to keep him from speaking. He was reminded of the day she abducted him in Isavo while on his way to talk her out of chasing after the Avaern. The look in her eyes held an urgency similar to that day. Fearfu
l of Onuric finding them so close, he let his gaze shift over her shoulder, watching the others disappear around a corner, the light of Onuric and Ewei’s energy slowly ebbing away to leave them with nothing but the dim glow around Neomi. She was controlling it, careful to not let it shine too bright, granting them just enough to see one another without drawing attention to their presence lagging behind.
He was intrigued by her behavior. Had she finally decided to speak with him on whatever matter had brought her all the way there? But why now? Why here? They couldn’t let the others get too far ahead. Separation from the group seemed a dangerous thing to risk.
Before he could try to pry her hand away and ask the questions that raced through his head, he felt her lips pressed against his, pinning him to the wall under her. His eyes opened wide, shocked, unsure of how to respond. Should he kiss her back? Was this some sort of trick? Panic coursed through him to think of Onuric discovering their absence and coming back to find them together in this way. She was putting them both in danger. At the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to care. For so long he had dreamt of having Neomi in his arms and now, here she was, exactly where she belonged. As the shock slowly faded he let his hands wrap around her waist, pulling her gently into him. Her kiss comforted him. A reminder of what he was willing to die for. What he intended to die for.
Eventually she seemed to force her head to lean back, the brilliant roiling blue of her eyes staring deeply into his. He’d never seen her look at him that way before. It was as if she had come to some great revelation, overcome by emotion, her mouth parted to speak while her lips seemed to fight her, drawing her forward again. She was breathing heavily. Edric could sense her pulse racing, matching the speed of his own.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 84