James gets up from beside Jiron and approaches the edge. Looking over, he sees him way down below. All that can be seen is the orb moving from side to side.
Next to him Miko asks, “Is he saying it’s clear or that he’s in trouble?”
“Maybe we should have set up a signal but I didn’t think it was going to be so far,” admits James. He gauges the distance and doesn’t figure on Jiron’s rope being able to stretch even half that distance. Coming to a decision, he gathers the others around him and says, “We’re going to have to help Jiron down in stages. Fifer, you stay with Jiron and it will be your job to aid him from stage to stage.”
“The rest of us will position ourselves in increments of fifty feet or so to hold the rope steady while you two make it down. Then once you’re past, we’ll follow. Understand?” When he gets everyone’s nod, he goes to the edge and waves his orb back and forth to tell Qyrll he saw his signal. Once Qyrll has stopped moving his orb, James turns back to the others.
“Okay Miko, you first,” he says. One by one they descend down the side of the drop-off and station themselves at points where the surface levels off slightly and they’ll be able to maintain balance while holding the rope. James has remained at the top and once everyone is in position turns to Fifer and says, “Alright, let’s do this.”
Fifer helps Jiron up and they tie the end of the rope to Jiron. Once James has a secure hold upon the rope and is properly braced, Fifer helps him over the edge. Inch by inch, James lets out slack in the rope as Jiron slowly makes it down to where the miner is waiting at the next stage.
As soon as he’s made it there, Fifer waves back to him and he releases the rope. Arms tired and aching from the constant pressure of maintaining a tight grip, he’s more than glad to send the rope down to the next person. Slipping over the drop-off, he begins working his way down while the miner holds the rope as Fifer and Jiron work their way down to the next person.
Stage by stage, Jiron and Fifer make their way down until at last they make it to Qyrll. The others arrive shortly after. They find themselves next to an underground lake, a shore of sorts runs along the outer edge in both directions. Jiron wets his finger and holds it up.
“What are you doing?” Uther asks him.
“Seeing if there’s a breeze,” he replies. After remaining motionless for a minute he shakes his head. “If there is one I can’t tell.” He turns to James and says, “It’s up to you.” When he hesitates, Jiron adds, “They already know we’re here.”
“True,” he agrees. In front of him a translucent bubble springs into existence.
“What’s that going to do?” the miner asks in wonder. Sure he’s heard of magic but seeing it up close kind of unnerves him, first the orb and now this.
“It will lead us to the way out,” replies James.
As if floating on a breeze, the bubble begins floating to the right around the lake. Fifer and Qyrll help Jiron to stand and they all begin following the bubble. Those helping Jiron along are unable to keep up, so James has Miko stay with them with one of the orbs while he, Jorry and Uther move ahead keep the orb within sight. The miner stays back with Jiron’s group.
The cavern is rather large, stalactites and stalagmites decorate the scene with many colors. Small creatures, blind and translucent, scurry out of the way as the light from James’ orb reveals them. From several places, other cascades of water flow from crevices and fissures in the walls to the lake.
Continuing its dance upon an unseen wind, the bubble floats on. It comes to an opening to their right, a dark gaping maw which extends further into the mountain. Rather than entering the opening, the bubble continues on past. James pauses but a moment to look within but the light from his orb reveals nothing.
They continue following the bubble for another ten minutes when a noise can be heard coming from up ahead. At first it sounds like the growl of some wild beast but then James realizes it’s the sound of water. The water of the lake is no longer placid but ripples as small waves course across its surface.
The further they go, the louder the sound becomes and the movement of the water along the shore becomes more pronounced, the waves coming with more frequency. Suddenly the source of the sound they’ve been hearing appears before them and James stops in stunned silence.
Illuminated by the light from the orb is a massive vortex at the end of the lake. Swirling and churning, the water is being sucked down as if through a giant funnel. “Oh my god,” he says as he realizes the bubble is moving to hover over the center of the maelstrom.
“You can’t be serious,” Uther says in disbelief next to him. He glances back to the others advancing toward them. “Oh Miko…” he says in voice loud enough to carry over the sound of the water being sucked into the maelstrom.
The others come close and when they can see why they’ve stopped, various expletives, not all of them polite issue forth.
Jorry glances to see Miko’s face frozen in extreme nervousness. “You ready for a bath?” he asks.
He looks at him and stiffens his backbone as he says, “No problem.” Then to James he asks, “Is that the way we have to go?”
“It looks like it,” he says.
“It must lead to the lake,” Qyrll says. “We may not survive it.”
“There is no other way,” James tells him. Glancing at the others, he says, “The bubble showed us the way out. It wouldn’t have led us here if we couldn’t survive.” He sees the doubts in everyone’s eyes, especially Jiron’s. How in the world will he be able to make it with his leg the way it is?
“So what do we do?” the miner asks.
“Get in the water and let it suck us down,” James tells him. Even though he knows it’s the only way, he’s not too keen on the idea either.
“But it’s freezing,” the miner says. “We’re not going to last too long in such cold water.”
“Anyone have a better idea?” asks James. “This is the way out whether we like it or not.” He stands there a moment while everyone digests that.
Jiron hobbles forward and says, “I’ll go first.”
“I don’t think so,” Uther says to him. “If anyone is going to be the sacrificial lamb, it better be someone with all their parts working properly.” To Jorry he asks, “You game?”
Shrugging in an attempt to appear nonchalant even though fear is one step away from taking over, he replies, “Sure, why not? Time for my bath anyway.”
“You got that right,” one of the others says, though who he couldn’t tell.
“Better space yourselves apart a few minutes so if it gets rough, you won’t be thrown against each other,” Qyrll suggests.
James steps toward them and says, “Once you’re through, I’ll check the lake to see if I can find you. Then I’ll start sending the rest through starting with Jiron and Fifer. Be ready to help him when he gets there if you can.”
Nodding, Uther says, “Alright.” He and Jorry begin shedding everything but their weapons and the clothes from their back. When they’re in nothing but shirts and pants Uther looks to Jorry and asks, “Odds and evens?”
“I’ll take odds,” Jorry says.
They face each other and to James it looks like they’re going to do a round of paper, rock, scissors. Bringing their hands down onto their other palm, Jorry says, “One.” The second time Uther says, “Two.”
Then just before they bring their hands down again, Jorry turns and runs toward the swirling maelstrom. With a “Yeehaaw!” he leaps away from the shore and hits the water two yards out. The water immediately grabs him and sucks him toward the center of the swirling water.
“Damn you!” cries out Uther. He had the same idea but Jorry beat him to it.
Around and around the water gradually brings Jorry to the center and then all of a sudden, his head disappears as he’s sucked beneath the water. At that, Uther follows and hits the water. A minute later, he too is sucked beneath the surface.
James moves over to the edge of the lake where h
e and Miko proceed to dig out an area for the water to fill. Then once it’s filled, they close it off from the lake and the water within the depression becomes calm.
Giving them a few minutes, he calls forth the magic and an image of the lake appears. He concentrates on Jorry, trying to center the view upon him. The scene shifts and all they can see is the calm surface of the lake. It’s hard to see anything in the gloom of night, only the moon above gives any light with which to see.
Suddenly Jorry breaks through the surface of the water and they can see him splash around a bit before he realizes he’s broken through. Shortly after that, Uther joins him.
“Alright,” James says as he glances to Jiron, “it’s your turn.”
“Help me up,” he says and Miko and Fifer move to comply.
They walk him over to the edge of the maelstrom and ease him into the water. Since he’s starting closer to the edge it takes him a little longer before he gets sucked under. After that the others go in two minute intervals until it’s only James, Miko and Qyrll left. They’ve been watching the scene play out on the lake and saw Jiron break the surface. Jorry and Uther immediately moved to help him. It looked like he made it alright.
“You go next,” Qyrll says to James. “They’ll need you out there if the Empire shows up.”
“Good point,” he agrees. “Be sure to send Miko next.”
Qyrll nods as James moves to the edge of the water. He stands there and looks out over the swirling, churning water. It’s just a big water slide, that’s all it is. The others made it through okay, so will you. With a quick glance back to Miko who gives him an encouraging nod, he backs up two feet and with a running jump, leaps out over the water.
Splash!
He hits the water and the iciness of it takes his breath away. Working to stay afloat, he starts treading water as the current takes him. Moving ever closer to the center of the maelstrom he tries to calm his breathing and just as he feels the current begin to pull him under, takes a deep breath.
Sucked underneath the water by the current, he’s suddenly in total blackness. Thrown this way and that, he feels as if he’s being dropped down a vertical shaft. Then all of a sudden, the current releases him and he’s freefalling. Air surrounds him and he releases the pent up air within and quickly takes another two deep breaths before slamming into more water.
Again he’s caught in a whirlpool and sucked underneath. This time he’s pulled down and then the flow of water begins turning more horizontal as it picks up speed. He scrapes against the side of the tunnel and feels some of his skin ripped off. Nothing major but enough to cause him pain.
Then when he thinks he can no longer hold his breath, the current quickly reduces speed and he realizes he’s no longer in the tunnel but in the lake. Kicking upward, he swims for the surface.
Breaking through, he gasps for air. Teeth chattering from the cold of the water, he tries to calm them but is unable to. The water has sapped all the warmth from him. He’s in serious danger of hypothermia and scans for the shore.
“Over here!” he hears someone yell. When he looks, he sees the others in the moonlight, standing on the shore waving him down. Swimming quickly, he makes his way toward them. Reaching the shore next to them, he climbs out onto the beach.
They’re all freezing and his teeth aren’t the only ones chattering. They’ve got to get a fire going and soon. “G…gather s…some wood,” he stutters.
“Already done,” Uther says as he indicates a pile nearby.
Without any warning, James releases the magic and the wood catches fire, roaring to life. Uther staggers backward in shock but then moves closer to bask in the warm glow.
“James!” he hears Miko’s panicked cry from the water.
“Over here!” he hollers back.
Miko and then finally Qyrll begin swimming toward the shore and the welcoming fire. Jorry moves to the water to help but neither needs any assistance. Jiron had survived well and his leg didn’t suffer any further trauma, much to James’ relief.
“Where are the ruins?” he asks.
They all glance around and Qyrll points off to their left and says, “It’s over there around the lake.”
“We can’t stay here long,” James tells the others. “We have to go after the Star. It can’t be allowed to reach the Empire.” He looks around at them, wet and freezing. They’re going to need to wait at least until their clothes dry before they attempt the trek around the lake.
Jorry and Uther throw more wood on the fire, building the blaze so they’ll dry all the faster. The warmth is luxurious after the bitter chill of the water, it couldn’t have been much above freezing.
They stay there by the fire for a little over half an hour before the consensus is that they’re sufficiently warm and dry. After tearing apart the fire, they head around the lake to where the ruins lie, and hopefully their horses still remain there. They have extra clothes and blankets there, if the Empire didn’t take them.
Surprisingly when they reach the ruins, they find their horses exactly where they left them. When James’ gaze falls upon the horse Dave had used, a red hot anger burns within him. Not at Dave, but at the Empire who had taken his life long friend away from him.
As they mount and are about to head out, James turns to the miner and says, “Here’s where we part ways. You don’t want to be with us when we catch them.”
“Are you sure you know the way out?” he asks.
James glances around at the others and sees both Jiron and Qyrll nod, indicating they do. “I think so. I appreciate all the help you’ve been.”
Smiling, the miner replies, “I actually had the time of my life, been too long by myself. Hate to see you all go as a matter of fact.”
James brings his horse close to the miner’s and holds out his hand. When the miner takes it, he says, “We each have a secret to keep. I think you know what I mean?”
The miner nods, “I’ll not say anything.”
“Good,” says James, releasing his hand. “Neither will we.” Turning back to the others he raises his voice and asks, “Will we?”
“No,” replies Uther, the others indicating in one form or another they concur.
“Good luck,” the miner says.
“You too,” James tells him. To the others he says, “Let’s ride!” Kicking his horse in the side, he quickly gets into a gallop. Somewhere ahead is the Empire force, Dave and the Star.
Chapter Thirty Three
They leave the ruins behind as they race along the shore of the lake. The sky is beginning to lighten with the coming of dawn and they’re able to maintain a quick pace. The mood is electric as each knows they’re riding to battle.
“We should be little more than half a day behind them,” Jiron says from where he’s riding behind James. His broken leg is tied above the knee to the strap securing the saddle onto the horse to prevent it from flopping around. Also, should conflict erupt, he’ll be able to maintain his balance while using his knives on those around him.
“I hope we can catch them before they get to Ironhold,” replies James. His anger hasn’t subsided any, if anything it’s increased. The betrayal of his friend, the loss of the Star, all culminating to create a rage biting at the bit to be released.
By the time the sun crests the peaks to the east, they’ve reached the far shore of the lake and move to follow the small river flowing out of it to the south. At this point Qyrll takes the lead, he’s assured them that he remembers the point in which they leave the river to cut through the hills.
Even though they are setting a quicker pace than what they did when they came, it still takes them until almost noon to reach the cutoff point. When they do, Qyrll turns his horse and leads the way up into the mountains.
Eating in the saddle to save time, they only rest when the horses require it. They aren’t able to make good time here as the way becomes narrower and the footing less secure. At least they’re comforted in the knowledge their prey won’t be able to do much
better.
Two hours away from the river, Qyrll comes to a halt. He sits there a moment with his head cocked to the side as if listening for something. Further ahead, the trail enters a narrow area of boulders and fallen trees. They will have to ride single file to make it through.
“What’s wrong?” James asks as he draws near.
“It’s quiet,” Qyrll replies.
James listens for a moment and then says, “It’s not completely quiet.” Birds can be heard in the trees as well as the far off cry of a predator.
Qyrll turns in the saddle and says quietly, “They’re waiting for us.”
Scanning ahead, James tries to see anyone in the area before him but there’s nobody. “I don’t see anything.”
“Nevertheless, they’re there,” Qyrll assures him. He turns back to look at the bottleneck the trail winds through. “It’s the perfect place to lay an ambush.”
“Do they know we’re here?” asks Fifer.
“I would think so,” replies Qyrll.
“Then they know we know they’re there,” states James.
Shrugging, he says, “Maybe. I’m sure by stopping here and discussing this, we’ve put them on guard.”
“What should we do?” Uther asks. “If we go forward their crossbowmen will cut us down before we get very far.”
“And the longer we wait,” adds Jorry, “the further the one with the Star will pull ahead of us.”
James looks at Qyrll for a moment and then asks, “You’re sure beyond a shadow of a doubt? Because if you’re wrong, I’m going to alert them that we’re following.”
“They’re there,” he says. “I stake my honor on it.” For a Parvati to say that there can be no argument. Their honor is the single most important thing they hold dear, especially Qyrll whose honor has so recently been restored to him.
“Very well,” says James. “Let’s move back a ways first and then we’ll see what we can do.”
They turn around and head back down the trail until the bottleneck is no longer visible. Miko is left to keep an eye out in case the soldiers hidden there make a move toward them.
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