by Lloyd Baron
“And Riochald will kill me if I’m late and I’m not going to have her boxing my ears because of a cave.”
“You’ve forgotten what it means. It is not just a cave! It is where our dreams began as children.”
“And what good are dreams?” Darwin’t croaks, his voice breaking with emotion. “We all need to grow up, get bounded to a woman and settle down to life.”
Danlynn shakes his head sadly. “What about all the adventures we had down here?” Even though he cannot see his face Darwin’t can tell his friend is grinning. “Remember?”
“We had our last adventure a long time ago.” He snaps, angry now, not at his friend but at himself for thinking that he could keep things as they are. Tomorrow he leaves for the shrine with all the others and he will be bonded to Canace and they will settle and he will be a father and he won’t be a silly child with childish fantasies any more. He pulls his arm free of his friends grasp and runs back into the disc of light. He blinks away the glare and takes hold of the brittle wall; looking up at the tiny exit of the well fifty paces above. Danlynn grabs hold of his feet and pulls him down in a shower of grit. They wrestle on the ground, one trying to pull free as the other tries to restrain.
Finally they both collapse still, panting, small chuckles escaping from them both. “The idea was,” Danlynn says taking a deep gasp of air. “To say goodbye to the child and welcome to the adult. You never gave me the chance to explain.”
Darwin’t laughs a booming sound that echoes around the low tunnel. “When did you think up that chamber pot full of... Before or after you tried to kill me?” They both explode into fits of laughter; the sound rushing back and forth along the cavern. All too soon the mood becomes somber again and Darwin’t gives his friend a defeated look. “Fine!” He says getting to his feet. “I’ll go with you to the cave for one last look. But a quick one, mind.” He brushes dry dirt and brick dust from his clothes before strolling into the tunnel.
Danlynn catches up with him quickly and soon the two of them are laughing about old times, telling jokes and stories, scrapping playfully, living the last day as a child to the full.
The tunnel walls are smooth and glitter with minerals and water. There had once been an underground river which had created these caves, wearing down the rock so it is smooth to the touch, almost glass like with rich colors running through like veins. Danlynn had lit a candle after leaving the entrance and the light casts eerie shadows and makes the minerals wink as they pass. On more than one occasion both jump at something that is not there. Something neither of them had done as a child. Stalactites hang from the roof in many places with stalagmites reaching up in an attempt to grasp hold of their distant cousins, though never managing it. One part of the cave is so littered with stalagmites that they had named it the Needles after the Needles in the Sive Channel off the coast of Hillsbough. They have played many games in that cave, mostly the “Lost Lady” after the legend which surrounds the real Needles. No-one really believes that the ghost of a young woman, whose ship ran into the monstrous rocks, haunts them and calls people to their deaths by asking for help. It is just a story after all, and a silly childish one at that.
Darwin’t shivers at the thought and pushes it instantly away, not before being spooked by another leaping shadow. “I cannot remember being this scared of the cave as a child.” Danlynn grins at him, the candle just below his face, yet the smile is only half mocking—he feels it too. They have to shimmy around the edges of small pools of clear water, which ripple with the rhythmic drip from the stalactites above. Drip, drip, drip.
In the rainy season just before spring one of the bigger caverns fills with water to make an underground lake. It was there that they had fallen out with Tarfleam and Tye, and when Riochald decided to start being a grown up. They never came back to the cave after that, not as a gang anyway. Darwin’t had visited once more to look at the lake before his Aunt Mydia's funeral; the peace and beauty helping him to grieve for his loss. However something had happened, and only now that he has returned, so too have the thoughts and memories. He casts his mind back, fear filling him anew.
Riochald rushes into the kitchen behind Canace. Her face is flush with running and from the crying that she has been doing. Darwin’t stands in his bedroom doorway watching his old friends file into the house to speak with his aunt Maida. Danlynn catches his eye and nods in his direction, the only one he now speaks with. Canace drops to her knees in front of a painting that is meant to be his aunt but looks more like a mole, painted by her father for the funeral. Aunt Maida had accepted the gift with smiles and thanks saying it was such a good likeness, but after everyone had left she had promised to burn it.
Mydia was younger then Maida by some nine suns. They were the opposite of each other in nearly every way. Where Maida would plod into a room with her hair tied up or in a tight bun, wearing her heavy brown wools; Mydia would glide in with her hair brushed until it shone over her bare shoulders and flowing green gowns. Maida would spend all day cooking and cleaning, readying the village for feasts and attending the women’s council meetings; Mydia would spend all day sitting under trees, readying herself for feasts and going to the woman’s council meetings for the free wine. But even with the differences they had loved him the same. Mydia had lived in Hilldom for most of Darwin’t’s life, and all the growing up stuff was handled by Maida. But the sun before her death she had moved in with them and become one of the family. The night of her sister’s death Maida had sat him down and explained that Mydia was going to die. There was a lump inside her stomach and it was taking her life away. He did not understand; however that night she died and it seemed everyone knew about it apart from him. Riochald had found out somehow and it had spread like a fire in the hayloft throughout the village. Mydia had not suffered and she passed away in her sleep.
Standing watching his friends file in one by one, together in the same place after so long, even Tarfleam is there, even that weird outsider Derry’n gave him a smile and knelt before the painting. They soon leave, and it is his turn to kneel and give his time to say his goodbyes. But seeing all his friends has made him angry over why they no longer speak and he cannot say his goodbyes. Instead he runs to the well where it had all happened and climbs down. He makes his way blind, knowing where to place his feet around certain pools and listening to the drips to guide him in the right direction. Finally he reaches the lake.
The cavern is huge; a good three-hundred yards across and almost perfectly round. The ceiling is low over the still water but high enough for a kid to stand, if he could, on the water’s surface to still not be able to reach it. In the darkness the pool is a massive black nothingness, threatening to swallow everything in the world, even the world itself; yet as he begins to light the many candles which line the outside the pool changes. Every color he has ever seen laces the surface of the water, reflecting from the shimmering walls and ceiling; a rainbow reaching from the depths. Beautiful and awe-inspiring, the place where dreams were made and where fairies come to play. But the sight does not help his sunken heart to rise.
He sits by the water’s edge and glares down at a small wooden structure resting peacefully on the bottom. They had spent the whole of the winter building that stupid raft, only for it to sink and almost kill them all. Tarfleam had said he saw something move in the water, but it was a lie. He started screaming and trying to paddle back to the shore, and as they tried to stop him the whole raft capsized. Canace was wearing a heavy dress which became weighed down by the freezing water, making it hard for her to swim. Danlynn tried to save her but had become entangled in the garment, and he too was pulled down. It was only luck that Derry’n had followed them into the well to find out what they were up to, and came to the rescue. He was a strong swimmer and by himself had pulled both Canace and Danlynn from the lagoon. He then raced back into the village to get help. By the time help came, the once tight gang was at each other’s throats assigning mutual blame. Most had started by blaming Tarfleam
for tipping over the raft, though soon people were just shouting at each other for the sake of shouting.
The sound of them tearing into one another echoes inside Darwin’t’s mind. He will make this right, he tells himself as he stands, blowing out the candles. He means to leave one alight for his journey back but blows too hard and all are extinguished. He fumbles with the lighting sticks and they fall from his hand into the rocky blackness. He fumbles in the dark for a while though soon gives up. The funeral will be starting soon and he still has not said his goodbyes and so he retraces his steps. He is reaching the exit of the large cavern when he hears the water bubble behind him. It is as if something under the surface has let out a breath. It is followed shortly by another, then another, and then another until the pool seems alive with the roar. He turns to run, but something grasps at his ankle and he tumbles. But he finds his feet fast and races into the tunnels, not caring if he splashes through puddles or collides with stalagmites, just as long as he makes it out. He bursts into the pool of light and begins to climb the weak stone wall. All the time he can feel the icy grasp just inches from his heel. He falls over the top of the well and runs without looking back. But he hears something—he hears a voice. How will he ever forget that voice and its words?
You will never see the sunrise again, child.
5
LAY of HANDS
The memories flood through him with a wave of nausea. How has he forgotten what had happened that day long ago? Blocked out by the horror of the event or the grief of losing his beloved aunt, removed from his memory like a torn page from a book. The nightmare stands now revealed and the horror grasps hold of his senses; his mind clouds over, breathing becomes shallow, vision drifts black and his eyelids flutter. He raises a hand to steady himself against the cavern wall, his legs buckling under the knowledge. He stumbles over a stone and the stagger breaks the hold the terror has on him, shocking him into action. He grasps Danlynn’s shoulder and pulls his friend to a halt. “We have to go,” he stammers breathlessly.
“No more delays. You said yourself that we don’t have much time left to...
“There’s something down here,” Darwin’t screams, hysterical now, fear forcing him to become firm. “I saw it when I was a kid. Or heard it. I cannot remember what.” He looks into the dark shadow of Danlynn’s face, imagining a hidden smirk plastered onto his features. “But there is something at the lake.”
“We are at the lake,” Danlynn says hesitantly. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I feel frightened. I want to...”
The lakes center erupts, sending icy water high into the air. The surface, once smooth and like a mirror, now bubbles like a cauldron of broth. Danlynn holds the candle out in front of him, its weak glow illuminating only the edge of the lake. Something moves. Both stare at the shape as it emerges from the furious pool.
A pale naked form drags itself out of the water, clawing at the rocks and dirt with broken fingernails, its movements jerky with unnatural bones creaking, joints bending too far or the wrong way, a spine slivering like a foul snake. Long black hair hangs over the face like a veil, exposing little of the features, except for one white cracked eye. It stops at the edge of the light, staring at them hatefully, rasping breaths shaking its shoulders. Then slowly one of its legs lifts into the air, the knee snapping backwards, spine curves up as the second leg snaps into place like a monstrous scorpion. The bony feet touch down on the ground beside the twisted neck and the body begins to withdraw between them, its spine snapping back into place. Black hair falls over the eye, and like cold water waking a deep sleeper both boys come back to themselves. The candle drops to the floor and is extinguished, plunging them into darkness. Danlynn screams something and runs back into the tunnel behind them. Darwin’t only stays a heartbeat longer before following his friend. He can hear Danlynn’s running footsteps ahead of him, and also another set from behind. Panic drives into him and pushes him to speed up his flight. His feet splash into a deep pool and he stumbles but regains his pace quickly, staggering back into his fast run.
Without any light at all his vision strains to see the path and the obstacles lying within it. He trips and bumps and crashes into everything ahead of him. He fumbles with his hands stretched out in front of him to warn of more hindrances to his escape. He is suddenly conscious that he can no longer hear any footsteps. He stops, lungs burning in his chest, to get his bearings. He has traveled these caves hundreds of times, though in his frantic panic he has taken a wrong turn. He walks a few steps into a large cavern and relief fills his body. He stands at the edge of a sea of stalagmites. A single ray of sunlight casts brilliance throughout the chamber. The needles. He does not waste any more time and runs for the cave on the far side which leads back to the well.
A dark heavy figure crashes into the side of him and he tumbles to the floor. A blow from a boot strikes him in the gut knocking the wind from him. He grunts and splutters as the attacker repeatedly kicks him. He catches sight of a leather boot as it swings to strike him again and anger overpowers his fear. It’s not the ghoul from the lake at all. He lashes out with his two feet and knocks his attacker to the ground beside him. Tarfleam’s pale features land only inches from his. It is only then that he realizes that there is also someone else in the cavern. Tye Slocot bends to help his friend, scowling at Darwin’t as he does so.
“You’ve asked for it this time Utsa,” Tarfleam mumbles cradling his arm. “First getting us banned from the shrine by blaming us for your prank and now you dare to hit me.”
“We have to get out of here,” Darwin’t begins.
“Oh I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere fast. Tye, get the rope and make sure he cannot get himself free.” He pulls his arm away from Tye and gets to his feet unattended. “I’m going to make sure you miss the shrine too. By making sure you don’t leave this cave until tomorrow.” His laughter stops suddenly and he freezes to the spot.
Through Tarfleam’s boots he sees a pair of bare feet walking towards them. “Don’t look into its eye!” he screams though realizes it’s no use. Tye stands to the side, also mesmerized. Darwin’t has to get them to look away or the thing will be upon them in seconds. He grabs a rock and chucks it at Tye’s side. Tye flinches and glances away, but his sight falls straight back onto the naked woman walking into the chamber. Her rasping breaths echo from the walls making it seem like she is coming from everywhere at once. If he cannot stop them from looking at her then he will have to stop her looking at them. He crawls over to Tye, keeping his head down, and picks up the rock. Closing one eye to cut off the vision of the ghoul’s face he hurtles the rock upwards. It strikes her with a hollow thump and she staggers backwards. Tarfleam screams hysterically and flees into the darkness behind. Tye grabs hold of Darwin’t’s arm and hauls him to his feet, shouting to run as he does so. Darwin’t follows Tye at a dead run, ignoring the burning pain from his repeated beating. The disc of sunlight emerges as he rounds a corner and he sees Tye clambering up the wall. He reaches the warmth of the sunlight and risks a glance behind. She stands there only inches from him. He goes to scream, but she lashes out, grasping both of her bony hands around his throat. Her skin feels like dry old parchment, cracked and brittle as if left out in the sun. His feet leave the floor as she lifts, dragging him back into the darkness. Black hair falls away from her face and reveals the true horror of the ghoul. There is only the one eye staring up at him, the other is just an empty socket beyond which is nothing other than hollow skull. A twisted smile greets him, all loose flesh and jawbone. The nose is also gone, collapsed inwards and hanging down over the side of her head. The skin on her face is cracked and worn more than that of her hands. She attempts to speak, but only a dry choke rumbles from her ruined throat.
White light emerges from the skin under her fingers and the cave blooms suddenly like a firework on feast day. The ghoul shrieks and lets go of his neck, shying away from the glow.
It had not come from her!
Darwin’t does not waste time thinking over what had happened and dives back into the disc of light, scrambling up the wall. He looks up as he reaches halfway to see Danlynn and Tye looking down. Both of them start to scream and shout for him to climb faster and not to look back. He cannot help himself though and he glances down. The ghoul is right below him, using hands and feet alike to scramble quickly in chase. A cold hand reaches for his ankle but misses as Darwin’t continues his climb, but it stays right behind him. Danlynn and Tye reach into the well, hands outstretched ready to haul him over the wall. He pushes with the last of his strength and takes Danlynn’s hand, but at the same time the ghoul reaches for him. Pulled up and down at the same instant he loses his grip with his other hand and crashes into the brittle wall. Danlynn screams a curse as he tumbles into the well and the three of them fall. They stop suddenly with a jerk and the ghoul loosens its hold on Darwin’t. Looking up, he sees Tye desperately clinging onto Danlynn’s leg, who in turn holds onto Darwin’t with all his remaining strength. The ghoul finds its voice and screams in fury as it clambers back up the wall.
“Tarfleam,” Tye shouts panicky. “Tarfleam for the love of the Creator and grace help us.” Tarfleam rocks on his knees a few yards from the well, mumbling incoherently to himself. “Tarfleam,” Tye calls again more desperately, yet to no avail. A shadow reaches across Tarfleam and he glances up at its owner as he knocks Tarfleam to the ground.
Derry’n rushes up to the well and reaches in, lending his powerful arms to the effort. He sees the ghoul and stumbles backwards momentarily but returns almost at once with renewed strength. He grasps hold of Tye and hauls him up and out of the well. With his feet back on the ground both of them pull Danlynn up. As he emerges into the sun the side of the well gives way and everyone falls forwards.
Rubble and dust showers over Darwin’t’s head. He closes his eyes and hangs onto Danlynn’s hand. He feels himself falling, but stops a few feet down. He opens his eyes to the stinging pain of a cut across his head. Danlynn is back in the well and Derry’n is holding onto his feet. Determination and fear more than power drives the three of them now and with a mighty heave Danlynn is pulled clear.