by Goran Zidar
“It’s there,” he said as he emerged shivering from the freezing water and used his clothes to dry himself.
Atilen remained silent, barely able to balance the joy of having a way out against the horror of having to swim underwater to get there. Atilen didn’t like water, and the thought of fumbling about in the dark in a freezing underground pool was making him anxious.
“It won’t be easy, though,” Tallow said once he was dressed. “The well is deep and the climb will be hard with wet hands and feet.”
“It’s not the climb that worries me,” Atilen said. “I ain’t much of a swimmer.”
“That’s okay; you won’t have to swim far, maybe five strokes once you go under. I can use the rope to pull you through if you think it will help.”
Atilen nodded. “Okay, let’s do it.”
“Not right now. We should stay down here for now and let the day pass. We can trace the path of the light in the water and then make our move at first light when we’re fully rested.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Atilen said, thankful for the extra time to mentally prepare himself.
* * *
The pair rested for the remainder of the day, alternating staying awake so that while one slept the other could keep an eye out for the appearance of the light. It was an anxious night for both of them: Tallow felt for the first time he might truly make it out alive, and Atilen was filled with worry over the short swim ahead of him.
Fully rested, my arse, thought Atilen ruefully as he tossed and turned.
Daylight came and the two men were sitting at the edge of the pool with their clothing stuffed into a sack at their feet. Atilen had the rope tied around his waist and Tallow held the other end as the pair entered the water. Tallow would go first with their clothes and when he reached the well he would tug on the rope and help Atilen make the swim.
“Good luck,” Atilen said as Tallow began his swim.
The silence in the tunnel was oppressive and did little to build Atilen’s confidence. There was a tug on the rope. Atilen took what he hoped would not be his final breath and ducked under the water. He started with his eyes closed but soon opened them after he bumped his head painfully against a submerged rock. The water was crystal-clear but extremely cold, and the circle of light seemed terrifyingly distant. He managed to make some progress on his own but was thankful for the constant tug of the rope, which helped to remind him that he was moving forward and that light and precious air were only a short way ahead of him. He kept moving. His head finally broke the surface. With a gasp, he flapped around for a moment until he got his bearings.
“Well done,” Tallow said and steadied the older man.
“Glad I don’t have to do that again,” Atilen said as he caught his breath.
Tallow smiled and looked up the shaft of the well.
“Glad I don’t have to do that.”
Atilen examined the walls of the well. In ideal circumstances the climb would be trivially easy – but now that he was cold and wet and had lost some of the feeling in his hands and feet, the first stage of the climb was going to be a challenge.
It was time to begin the ascent.
Atilen had to get Tallow’s help to get clear of the water and he wedged himself against the walls for a long while to dry off and restore some feeling to his hands and feet. When he thought he was ready he began the climb in earnest. The first part of the climb was excruciating but soon his body settled into a familiar rhythm. Atilen had a lot of experience, and climbing the rough-hewn shaft of the well was like child’s play once he got settled. It didn’t take long for him to reach the top. Just as he placed a hand on the lip of the well to pull himself up he heard a noise.
There was someone moving about up there.
Atilen didn’t dare move his hand again in case it attracted the attention of whoever was up there. He remained perfectly still and listened, suddenly very conscious of his nakedness as well as his precarious position. It sounded as though there was only one or two people up there, but anyone nearby would have no trouble seeing him if he climbed out now.
Atilen wasn’t sure what to do. He couldn’t stay where he was and it was possible that whoever was up there had already seen him. His heart started beating faster when he realised that the person was getting closer. He had been spotted for sure. For a brief instant he thought about letting himself fall back into water but the thought of going underwater again was worse than being captured or killed. He waited for whoever was up there to come near, readying himself to try and grab them if they were foolish enough to lean too far over the edge.
The footsteps grew louder as the person approached. The sound stopped and Atilen could see a shadow appear on the wall opposite him.
“Do you need any help?” a familiar voice called.
The shock of recognition almost caused him to lose his grip, and he grunted as he caught himself. He then took a deep breath and hauled himself out and over the edge. Once he was up he collapsed onto his back on the ground and savoured the sight of the clear blue sky above him. Such was his joy at breathing the clean fresh air that he was only mildly annoyed when a small man dressed in animal skins and boiled leather armour blocked his glorious view.
“Hello Bran,” Atilen said. “It’s good to see you.”
* * *
Bran and Atilen worked together to help lift Tallow out of the well. He reached the surface still clutching their sodden clothing, his body shivering and blue with cold, his light-sensitive eyes shut tight against the bright sunlight. When they had made sure that Tallow was dry and warm Bran explained how he came to be there.
Bran started to worry when Atilen hadn’t returned to N’Dreki after a few days, so he kept his eyes and ears open for anything unusual. A few days ago, Tara had entered the village in the company of several dozen miners and other men. Bran asked around and heard that there was a major cave-in at the mine. They had decided to abandon the camp until they could get hold of equipment to clear the rubble. After a few well-placed ales Bran was able to learn the location of the mine and decided to take a look for himself.
“Well, I’m glad you are here,” Atilen said as he hugged the small man for the hundredth time.
“We’re not safe yet,” Bran pointed out as he extracted himself. “We still have to get you and the beanpole back to the city, and I doubt we can return to N’Dreki without you being noticed. We’re going to have to head back to Gyrlund directly.”
“No,” Tallow said weakly.
The two men looked at the young assassin.
“What did you say?” Atilen queried.
“Not Gyrlund. I can’t go back there.”
“Why’s that?” Bran asked.
“I need to get to a ship,” Tallow explained. He had to get back to the Family’s home in the Mourning Islands and tell them what had happened. Greythorne’s death and his suffering had to be avenged.
“The Inner Sea is a long way from here, lad,” Bran said.
“I know, but that doesn’t change anything.”
Atilen looked at Tallow then turned his gaze toward Bran. The dwarf was idly tapping one finger on the top of his axe, a sign that Atilen had seen before. It meant that Bran was thinking.
“I’ll take you.” Bran said.
Tallow looked into the dwarf’s face searching for any sign of guile.
“Why would you do that?” he asked finally.
“Why not?” Bran shrugged. “I prefer to travel and the Inner Sea is as good a destination as any.” He looked across at Atilen. “What about you?”
Atilen blinked slowly and his jaw hung open.
“I already owe you more than I can repay.” Tallow said after a moment’s pause.
Bran snorted. “Don’t worry about him lad, he’ll be happy to tag along. Gyrlund’s better off without him if you get my meaning.” He said with a wink. “Now, can you walk?”
“I’ll bloody well walk out of here,” Tallow said and rose awkwardly to his feet.
> This ordeal was over.
He made it. He had survived.
Credits
Written by Goran Zidar
Cover Design by Jaz Effect Design
Map by Kevin Smith
More Information
If you are interested in the world of The Assassins as well as any upcoming news and books please visit: http://www.assassins.org.au
Copyright © 2011 Goran Zidar, All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Area Map
Chapter 1: That Which Does Not Kill Us
Chapter 2: Honour Among Thieves
Chapter 3: The Great Outdoors
Chapter 4: It Favours The Bold
Chapter 5: A Debt Repaid
Chapter 6: Darkness
Credits