It must have been a major passageway once, unused for some time judging by the layer of dust and shale at her feet. She could barely make out her hands as she strained to see the outline of the path. There might be a plummeting drop at any moment.
The sounds of the Lupins grew faint. She thought she heard some barking orders and the scuffle of feet, but wasn’t sure. Were they going to find another way around, or were they convinced she wasn’t there? At least it was clear they couldn’t shape-shift into a smaller form and follow.
She stepped forward into the darkness, her foot slipping on loose shale. A chunk broke off and she jerked back instinctively. It toppled down, falling and falling until there was a distant clip and thud as it struck bottom. She backed up, her hands touching a rock wall behind her, the darkness all-consuming. Suddenly, she realised she might still be trapped, only in a larger prison. She needed light to navigate this subterranean world. As if in answer, she looked down. Her pocket pulsed with a faint blue glow.
She pulled out the vial, wrapping the chain around her wrist and holding it high above her head. With
illumination, Rosette found herself in a massive cavern, with a canyon hundreds of feet deep. It must have been traversed by a high arched bridge at one time, but that was broken now. It looked like the keystone had given way—the middle of the bridge bitten out like it was a giant’s cookie.
Dead end?
The thought of squeezing back through the crevice repulsed her. Even though she knew she could make it, she didn’t think she had the nerve to do it again. Besides, there would most likely be a Lupin or two posted at the entrance, waiting. Surely they knew this was a dead end. She searched every inch of her surroundings for another means of escape.
To her left she spotted a landing that led into yet another dark passage. Placing the amulet around her neck, she tightened her coat, retied her bootlaces and wiped her hands in the chalky dust. Gripping the wall like a spider, she shuffled along the narrowing ledge, taking slow breaths and small steps, giddy with fear. Heights were never her forte. She dared not look down, though, past an arm’s length, all was black.
Rocks gave way under her boots and tumbled into the chasm. It was a long time before she heard them hit bottom. Her footing slipped more than once, but the jagged edges of the rock face offered deep handholds. She finally reached the landing in front of the passage, panting from the exertion. She rubbed her aching fingers, her relief lasting only moments.
Recessed into the wall was indeed a new tunnel, but it had a stone door, locked tight. When she tried the latch, rotten wood fell to pieces in her hand and the bronze keyhole dropped, clanking to the ground. She pushed and jimmied and shoved and, finally, bashed the full force of her shoulder into thick stone, but it didn’t budge. There seemed no escape
that way and with the lengthy breaks in the ledge behind her, she didn’t think she could make it back. Magic was an option, but knowing her, she’d bring the whole archway down on top of her head. Defeated and exhausted, she slumped in the dust, closing her eyes against the dark, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Hotha loped up the steps, his wolf form giving him the advantage of speed and heightened scents. Rosette had come this way, up these very steps, but to where? She hadn’t made it to the top, and she couldn’t have gotten past Rashnan’s pack without notice. She wasn’t that clever yet. He came to the archways, inspecting each before following her trail up the far one. What was she playing at? This was an old part of the caverns, the passageways were treacherous, at least for human feet. Kreshkali would be furious if anything happened to the young witch. He had to find her, and quickly.
Hotha, she’s this way.
Do you have her?
Not yet.
He slowed his pace when he saw Rashnan standing by a fissure in the wall.
‘She ducked in here,’ the other Lupin said.
Hotha shifted into his bipedal form, running his hand along the contours of the rock.
‘Ducked?’ Hotha said. ‘It’s the size of a rabbit hole. She’d have to do a lot more than duck.’
‘Scent for yourself. She went that way.’
‘It’s too tight to follow,’ Hotha said, reaching his arm into the crevice. ‘As wolf or man.’
‘And that’s not the worst of it. You know where it leads?’
‘I’ve a pretty good idea.’
‘It’s an old crack. It leads straight to the fallen bridge cavern. There’s no light there. She could topple into the ravine.’
Hotha groaned.
‘It’s all right. I sent my lot around the long way.’
‘But the bridge is down. They can’t get to her from the other side.’
‘There are archers among them. They’ll light up the cavern and we can get a rope ladder across.’
Hotha leaned his back against the rock wall, running his hand through his hair. ‘She’s a wily pup, that Rosette. The Mistress has taken on more than she knows, I’ll wager.’
‘You’re right there, she…’
Both Lupins froze as Kreshkali’s message boomed into their thoughts:
Let her go! Come back to me before somebody gets hurt!
Hotha shifted into his wolf form and loped down the steps, Rashnan right behind.
The sound of tramping feet infiltrated her dreams, jolting her awake. Rosette rubbed her eyes. Across the canyon, on the other side of the bridge, she could see a light. It glowed faintly at first before brightening into dozens of flaming torches.
Lupins!
They poured out of a far tunnel on the other side of the crumbled bridge, and filled the wide landing opposite her.
You’ll not get to me from there, you mangy dogs.
They lit arrows and drew back their bows. They all took aim in her direction.
Crap!
Rosette pulled the vial from around her neck and shoved it under layers of clothing. She pressed her back into the door, hoping to get out of the line of
fire, though the arrows were landing quite wide of the mark.
Lousy shots.
She pressed further back into the alcove. Trapped again.
This is ridiculous! I’m a temple-trained witch.
She could suddenly see the comedy in her situation and the fear lightened.
I can get out of this! Of course I can.
She exhaled long and slow as arrows whizzed, lighting the cavern like a harvest party. The Lupins were shouting from across the ravine, but she didn’t listen, focusing only on a way out. She leaned against the door, feeling its smooth edges.
I’m going to open this passage without bringing the mountain down.
Power welled, revitalising her limbs. She focused a small boost of magic on the door and gave it a push. It didn’t budge. She tried a little harder. It shuddered but still didn’t move. Finally, she blasted it with everything she had. ‘Yield to me! Yield to me now!’ she shouted.
The rock door responded, bursting into a million grains of sand.
‘Hey, Drayco. Psst…’ Jarrod hissed as he heard the thump and stomp of marching in the distance. ‘Can you see them?’
Use your mind-voice, Jarrod, if you want us to remain hidden.
They’d been playing cat and mouse with the Lupins for what seemed like hours.
Jarrod formed the question in his mind.
Can you see them over the ledge?
Don’t shout. I’m right here.
Jarrod scratched his head. This kind of communication was harder than he’d imagined. He reformed the thought and sent it as lightly as he could manage.
Can you see the Lupins?
Yep. They’re headed this way. We have to turn back.
Again?
Would you like to test your swordsmanship against thirty or so bipeds and more wolves than I care to count?
Not really.
Then, yes. We have to turn back.
Jarrod took his hand from his sword hilt, tightened his belt and dashed up the corridor. Drayco followed at his side. They turned a few sharp bends before the temple cat skidded to a stop. It took Jarrod a moment before he realised he was running alone.
Have you found something?
She’s this way. Work the lock, quick.
Jarrod bashed the lock with his sword hilt and pulled. Darkness and stale air met them, while the sound of metal on metal reverberated through the passage.
I said ‘work the lock’, not ‘sound the alarm’.
Drayco sneezed as the old air flowed past.
You wanted in,
Jarrod said, pulling off his glove to re-light the torch, risking a quick roughing of Drayco’s neck.
Come on. Lead the way!
Rosette raced up another flight of steps—a particularly steep ascent. She sat down for a moment to catch her breath and get her bearings. She started to feel like she couldn’t do it. For all she knew, she was on the other side of the mountain. Sighing, she lightened her mind-shield just a touch and risked yet another call to Drayco. Tears welled up as she searched for him. She’d not been without his thoughts since the day she’d found him and the lack left her desolate. Was he even still alive?
I’m alive. What about you?
Drayco?
Who else!
Oh, baby cat, am I glad to hear your voice! Are you hurt? What about your head? Are you all right?
I’m fine now. Head’s clear.
He paused for a moment.
She’s here. Beneath us, I think.
What, Dray?
Maudi, are you able to run?
That’s all I’ve been doing since I can remember. Who are you talking to? Is Scylla there?
Not Scylla. She’s not so good. Sword wound. He’s here though. We’re both looking for you. We have to hurry. The Lupins are between us. Are they hunting for you? Have you upset them?
A little, I think. Not sure why.
Rosette was up now, continuing the climb.
Drayco, who’s ‘he’? Who’s with you? Is An’ Lawrence there? Are you actually talking to him?
The Sword Master is back at the cave. He’s wounded too. That mind magic rattled his brain.
The temple cat paused.
I’m telling her. Just hang on…Maudi?
Who are you talking to, Dray?
Jarrod says to say hello.
What?
Jarrod. Remember? I hope you do because he is cramming my mind with thoughts to send to you. I’ve narrowed it down to ‘hello’. The rest will have to wait.
Jarrod’s with you?
Rosette whispered the name.
How can that be?
Clipper ship, I suspect. Then the bright red horse.
What?
He travelled and now he’s here.
Are you sure it’s Jarrod?
I’m certain.
‘I don’t believe it,’ she whispered softly. ‘My Jarrod?’
You better hurry. The Lupins have spread out. They must be searching everywhere. Climb.
I am, but how…how can…when did…
You sound just like him now. Come on, Maudi. I think you’re in the tunnels below us and to the east. The Lupins are in between and also behind.
Are you sure?
Just guessing. Keep climbing up and west, up and west.
Where in the darkest demon’s balls is west?
The left hand of your stairs, facing up. Quickly. We’ll meet you at the top.
I’m coming!
Rosette snapped her mind-shield into place and leapt up the steps. She heard howling again. It seemed a fair way off, but she pushed herself to run just the same. She summoned a final boost of magic to get her to the surface, and charged upwards until she thought her legs would give out.
The howls were getting closer.
She stopped to peer over the edge of the stairwell. A troop of Lupins was below, their torch lights fluttering like flags. She wrapped her coat around her waist and cinched the belt tighter. Cold air burned her lungs.
The surface couldn’t be far. It was getting colder; the air chilled the sweat that ran down her back.
Dray, the Lupins are right behind me.
Keep running. We’re at the entrance.
Drayco’s voice stayed in her mind, urging her on.
Rosette’s strength drained more with every stride, her pace faltering as she continued the final climb. She leapt a jagged step and tripped, her head coming down hard on the rock floor. She didn’t get up.
I can’t wake her.
Drayco rasped his tongue across her lidded eyes, nudging her with his head.
‘Let me see.’ Jarrod reached into his pocket, pulling out a small glass tube. He crushed it in the palm of his gloved hand and held it under her nose.
Rosette coughed, sat up and retched. ‘Drayco!’ She sank her hands into his fur and clutched him to her.
Get her up, Jarrod. We have to run.
‘Give me your hand,’ Jarrod said.
She looked at him blankly, her eyes fluttering shut again.
‘Come on, Rosette,’ he said, slapping both her cheeks. ‘I’m not going to get captured this close to the surface. We have to run.’
Her eyes opened fully. ‘Jarrod?’ She struggled to stand. ‘Jarrod?’
‘That’s me.’
‘Drayco really did find you?’ She reeled.
Jarrod gripped her shoulder. ‘We have to run!’ He grasped her hand and hauled her up towards the surface.
Deep within the tombs of Los Loma, Kreshkali awoke. She stretched cat-like before realising what had happened.
‘Well, well…’ She grinned, the smile turning into a chuckle—the chuckle into full-throated laughter. ‘Little bitch! Well done!’
The thought froze as she listened to the Lupins. What were they doing now?
Let her go!
she yelled, sending a blinding force into the mind of every Lupin, stopping them in their tracks.
Come back to me before somebody gets hurt!
Her mental voice reverberated through the corridors of Los Loma.