by V C Sanford
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“I think I can see it, it’s just entering the cavern,” Rhianwen whispered to the others. “It’s big. Much bigger than I thought it would be.”
Alex slid closer to Rhianwen and peered in the direction she was pointing. Like the Shii girl, his vision was greatly affected by the limit light. He strained to get a good look at the Narp slid its great body into the room. It wasn’t a worm, after all, seeming more like a snake, its muscles contracting and expanding as it writhed closer. He could see at least two legs, but they appeared to be atrophied. Unlike a snake, it had a head shaped like one of the big spiny swamp lizards down near the river mouth. Its eyes were yellow, with black slit pupils, but they were glazed over with a milky film. As it moved it opened and closed its mouth. Alex could make out several rows of sharp teeth and a long thin tongue. It used its tongue for guidance, touching the tip to various objects as it wended its way around the rocks and fungus on the floor of the cave.
“Do you think it suspects we’re here?” Nikiva asked quietly. The two girls crouched farther down into the pith of the mushroom.
“Maxx said it was following our scent, so I’m sure it knows we came this way. He claims they’re not particularly intelligent, about like a dog, but they’re diligent hunters and rarely leave a trail once they start a pursuit. I just hope he’s made some progress in his digging. If the Narp blocks the exit, he’s going to have to cut a passage back into the main tunnel thru the back of the fissure. The cleft in the rock to is narrow for it to follow him.
But what will stop it from digging him out? It does have two legs, even though they look like it hasn’t used them in a long time.” Rhianwen had wiggled closer to the edge to get a better look.
“It may try to dig, but crack extends back farther than its legs can reach.
“How does he expect to lure it into the tunnel?” Nikiva asked quietly.
He claims the Narp will chase him. The crevice is about two hundred feet in. Once the worm moves most of its body into the narrow tunnel, it won’t be able to turn around until it reaches a section large enough for it to maneuver. The nearest place is about two miles back. That should give us more than enough time to get away. Of course, it may decide to simply lie outside the crevice until he dies. Maxx says they can be spiteful. That might even work in our favor since it will give him more time to dig. He’s got to get out, get back to us, and give us time to escape before the Narp figures out it’s a trick.”
“Shhhhhhhhhh,” Rhianwen whispered. “It might be close enough to hear us. Better not take any chances.”
The frightened trio had a good view of the Narp as it drew near to their hiding spot. They were close enough to count the long slender spines that encircled the neck and continued down the spine of the behemoth.
Whenever the worm stopped and looked around, seeking the freshest scents to follow, the spires would flare out. Possibly the worm used them to detect vibrations or sounds.
Everyone decided it would be better to keep their talking to a minimum just in case. The worm may not have been tall enough to reach the cap of the mushrooms, but that didn’t prevent it from pushing them over. Alex slid backward until he was lying next to Nikiva. She had a tight grip on Tweet, who fought to escape. He was fascinated by the cave snake and was most likely planning his next adventure.
The worm grew excited as it neared the spot where the friends had climbed to their hiding spot, clearly surprised to lose track of so many scents at once. It patiently nosed around the nearby rocks, using its tongue to check for traces of its prey. Not finding any recent scents to follow, it settled down onto the back half of its body, raising the front half nearly fifty feet into the air and slowly rotating its head. Occasionally it would pause, and the spikes would flare again. Everyone froze, no one breathed, and no one moved a muscle.
“Yah, Yah! Hey stupid. Look over here! Yah, Yah!”
Beating his pickax against a nearby rock, Maxx launched into a rollicking ditty about a sea captain caught with too many wives. Alex winced at the ribald chorus, certain Nikiva would be offended by the risqué lyrics. Instead, he was startled to see her mouthing the words, silently singing along with his loud brusque friend.
Maxx’s detraction worked, the question of the vanishing scents forgotten, the Narp lowered itself back to the ground and immediately began undulating in his direction The steady clang of his hammer and pick rose in volume, stopped after a minute---doubtless as Maxx checked the Narps’ progress--- then started up once again, accompanied by more of the Duaars off-key singing. Either the Narp had the Duaars’ scent, or it was tone deaf, for it eagerly sought the source of the ungodly noise. Spines waving madly, the blind lizard worm wove its way through the pillars and rocks, moving directly toward the entrance of the main tunnel.
The sight of the beast as it crossed the threshold brought an unusual combination of relief and trepidation. Alex had to force himself to remain hidden as he watched impending death slithering straight to his friends hiding spot.
“I can’t see it anymore,” Alex said as he made his way over to the rope in preparation of climbing back down to the caverns surface. Drasst! I wish I could tell how far the worm has traveled into the tunnel. It’s moving fast. If it’s past the crevice, we need to grab Maxx and make a run for it. Too bad he didn’t get to hear Nikiva singing, guess we have more in common than I thought.
********
“Here wormy, wormy, wormy… Yah! Yah! Yah!”
Maxx shook his axe at the Narp, egging it on into the tunnel. Once he was certain it was on his trail, he turned and started running toward the narrow crack in the wall of the tunnel. Every so often he turned his head, watching over his shoulder as the giant cave snake slithered his way. Drasst. I think I may have misjudged its speed. I don’t know if I will reach the opening before it reaches me. The tunnel floor was smooth, every paver fits perfectly to the next. Unfortunately, while making it easier for Maxx to run, it also provided nothing to slow the Narps approach. His heart was pounding as adrenaline flowed through his system. It would be close, but he was going to make it. Then his foot landed the one paver that wasn’t level with the others. He tripped and went rolling across the floor of the tunnel. As he scrambled back to his feet he could see the entrance to his bolt-hole, only six or seven feet away. The Narp was twenty feet back and closing fast. He got to his feet and ran. He refused to look back, knowing even that slight delay could make the difference between his reaching safety and becoming the snakes next meal. Diving for the crack as the Narp released a stream of vitriol he felt a momentary feeling of triumph. Then he screamed.
********
Tweet, would you fly down the passage and see how far it's traveled? But, leave the Narp alone. I know you might think it funny to tease it but we’re only assuming the worm cannot turn around. A few sharp nips may tempt it into trying, and with our luck, it would figure out a way.” She was very familiar with the kitten’s sense of humor and the tail of the worm was just too tempting for him to pass up. She turned to the other members of the group and explained what the Mir-cat was considering. Everyone laughed, picturing the winged kitten chasing the giant worm down the tunnel, taking swipes at its tail with both teeth and claws.
While they were laughing Maxx joined them, happy that the Narp had followed the false trail he had laid further into the tunnel, hadn’t looked forward to digging his way out. Other than a few burns from the random droplets that had splattered he was fine……
Chapter 22
Maxx awoke to a circle of worried faces.
“How long have I been out? And where are my clothes?”
“Not too long. Rhianwen took care of the burns. But there’s no saving your clothes.”
“Drasst it all. That was my best shirt. All I’ve got left is the patched one I tore pulling Rhianwen from the stream.”
“Wait till you see your boots,” Alex said. At least you can use what’s left of your shirt for patches.”
Maxx frowned a
s he examined his boots, noting a string of irregular holes where the worm’s acid had eaten through the tough hide sole and up the side of one boot. He needed a new pair, but he doubted there was a cobbler within a week’s march. Luckily, he carried a piece of leather in his pack for minor repairs. He might make a temp patch for the soles, but the sides and upper leather was not going to last much longer. He settled with putting on both pair of socks and then he tied the boot together with laces made from a strip of hide. He could walk but he wasn’t going to walk fast.
Everyone decided putting distance between them and the Narp was more important than comfort. Rest stops became almost non-existent. The oil in their lantern ran out, leaving the group walking in near total darkness. Their last makeshift torch barely cut thru the preternatural black gloom. Only the smooth perfection of the Duaarien paving tiles and the faint glow from the carrion worms allowed them to make any time at all.
Strangely, Nikiva wasn’t affected by the loss of their primary light source. Several hours after the light went out she’d realized that she could see, albeit not always what she was looking at. It was as if she was somehow seeing through Tweets eyes. Another benefit of our bonding, she decided.
Suddenly Rhianwen, who’ been navigating by dragging her fingers along the side wall, stopped walking. “There’s got to be water nearby, she said excitedly, the walls of this passage are wet and covered with moss and slime. Look, see how they glow.” The spotty growth gave off a soft phosphorescent glow, a faint greenish light that made it much easier to navigate through the tunnel.
The idea of finding fresh water was just the incentive everyone needed. Hunger wasn’t a problem, however, the last few meals had been eaten dry, without anything to wash them down. Freshwater meant no more rationing, at least for a while. With Maxx in the lead to guide them, and the soft glow of the moss lighting the way, they moved swiftly. The eager Duaar rounded several bends and then stopped, signaling for silence… In the distance, they could hear the welcome sounds of rushing water!
********
The underground chasm was ragged, cutting into the floor of the cavern as though someone had taken a giant axe and let it fall randomly across the path of the road. In the distant past, someone had linked both sides of the divide with a bridge made of ropes and wood planks. Maxx pulled at the ancient bearing bent holding the main support ropes, but they were rusted solid and stiff with age. He tugged heartily at the ropes causing a puff of dust to fly from the tops of the anchoring posts, but even though the hemp squealed in protest, they seemed to hold solidly.
Everyone moved closer to have a better look at the water they desperately needed, flowing so far below. As the men’s bodies drew together to discuss their options, Reyna noticed Samantha glance over her shoulder, peering back in the direction they’d just traveled. The strange girls’ pensive look and furrowed brow was an expression Reyna had quickly learned to recognize. She was talking to Trouble again. The diminutive elf shifted impatiently, hoping to draw the attention of one of the men. No one noticed because everyone was too busy arguing their own points. The men had been debating for over an hour and seemed no closer to a decision than when they started.
“Perhaps if we tied all the ropes together, it would be long enough to reach the water,” Maxx suggested hopefully. His eyes kept moving from one section of rope to another, mentally measuring and combining each part. No matter how he combined them, there was just not enough length.
Alex shook his head. “Waste of time if you ask me. If there was a practical way to reach the water, it would’ve already been done.” He stared forlornly at the underground river, fresh water so near he could taste it---so close--- and yet so far. Alex stifled a groan. Their only option was to continue walking…and rationing.
“I don’t know about crossing this, these ropes look pretty old to me. They may not support my weight, much less yours. If it breaks, it’s a long way down to the bottom.”
“Well what do you suggest,” Alex said. “Our choices are cross the bridge, or go back.”
“We just lost one option,” Rhianwen shouted as she came running toward the foot of the bridge, Nikiva right behind her. “Someone’s coming. And they don’t sound very happy.”
“Probably ran into a hungry Narp along the way.” Maxx quipped while rubbing his stomach playfully. Alex tried not to crack up at Maxx’s comic behavior but failed, bursting into a hearty fit of laughter.
“You men need to get a life,” Nikiva said with a sideways cut of her eyes.
Rhianwen failed to see the humor of the situation. “They’re about a half mile back and coming fast. We either cross the bridge or fight, and I don’t like the odds.”
“Like we have any choice, Nikiva muttered. Okay, no more than one of us on the bridge at a time. Alex, you go first. If it holds you, we’ll all be fine.”
“We don’t have time to test it out,” Rhianwen interrupted before Alex had a chance to argue. “Just go.”
Everyone held their breath as he took his first steps across the ancient bridge, the old ropes creaking and straining from his weight but showing no signs of breakage. Impatient as always, Nikiva decided the faster she crossed, the better. She practically ran across, each step causing the bridge to swing wildly.
“The distance is deceptive. It’s farther than it seemed,” she shouted back, “but if you don’t look down, it’s not so bad.”
The old bridge was still moving as Rhianwen started across. About halfway across she made the mistake of looking down, and then froze. Despite Nikiva’s desperate urging, she could not force her body to take another step.
Maxx cursed. Just do it. Step by step he approached the panic-stricken girl, his solid body causing the bridge to groan and sway with each step. Reaching the terrified girl, he swung her body around so that she could see the approaching danger. The bouncing torches in the tunnel announced the group's imminent arrival. “Rhianwen, we don’t have time for this”, he begged, but it was as if her muscles were locked in place.
“Nikiva, can’t you do something to make her move? A spell or something!” Alex was torn as the first scout of the group tracking them passed through the tunnel mouth into the river cavern.
Nikiva’s mind went blank. She racked her memory for anything that might work. Had she ever learned a spell she could modify to make Rhianwen start walking? No, but a charm, there was one that might work--- and she was certain she could cast it! Murmuring a silent prayer to Arrwyn, imploring his assistance, she began chanting as she made her way back to the center of the bridge. A warm glow enveloped her followed by a faint scent of newly mowed grass and sweet-smelling flowers. Rhianwen immediately started walking, Nikiva humming aloud as though on a pleasant summer stroll across a grassy meadow. As she walked she kept her eye on the raucous group that drew closer to the end of the bridge.
“Maxx, start running! The bridge will hold you all,” Alex shouted.
“I’ll wait a little longer and give the girls a chance. If they catch up with me, cut the ropes behind you. It will be better to lose one than all.”
“Cut the bull, I’m not going to cut the ropes and leave you on the other side. Either you start walking this way, or I’m coming back, and I’m sure the girls will be right behind me. We don’t have time for you to play martyr!”
Maxx looked back at the girls standing stubbornly at the end of the rope bridge and then gauged the distance the group of men had to travel before reaching them. He had to slow them down. Not exactly what I had in mind when I bought it, but what the heck, he thought as pulled a small flask from his vest. I can always buy more. As he ran, he dripped a bit of the contents of the flask onto the planks of the old bridge. The Tincture of Rose was as oily as it was expensive, greasy to the touch but clear in color, it was almost invisible on the shadowy bridge. Anyone accidentally stepping in the mixture would likely slide, at the least, it would slow them down. He also sliced his knife through the twisted hemp line, hoping that the excited mercenaries would be
following too quickly to think of spacing themselves out. Their combined weight should cause the strands to separate, making the already unstable bridge even more treacherous.
********
Castillo wasn’t in the mood for further mishaps. He’d lost three men to the Narp, and several more were injured. Now, the overconfident fools he’d been stuck with were yelling as they rushed the bridge, confident their quarry was finally trapped with no chance of escape. His disgusted expression didn’t change as the bridge started swinging wildly beneath his excited crew. Not a brain amongst them.
Maxx felt the strands start to give way behind him and immediately gripped the old rope tightly with both hands, bracing his legs as best he could. With a strangled groan and a high-pitched twang, the partially sliced strands of rope separated first one, then another, and finally all at once. Caught unprepared, most of the raiders lost their balance and fell screaming into the depths below. One or two managed to grab onto the ropes that still dangled overhead and by the sides of the walkway, but they were now more concerned with staying alive than pursuing the teenagers. The bridge was gone.
The survivors still on firm ground regrouped, shouting empty threats while peppering the area around Maxx, who was still dangling from the ropes near the far end of the old bridge, with arrows. Tweet added to the noisy confusion, strafing the bowmen with his claws, hissing and yowling loudly, generally making a nuisance of himself.