Chapter 41
I couldn’t decide whether to continue straight ahead, walk downhill on the open, rocky land, or take the concealed path, a deep descending fissure along the towering mesa. The crevice ran through the heart of it. Both carried risks.
I was grateful to have chosen the latter path, because as soon as I peeked my head at the very end of the crevice, the main water outlet—my entrance—came into view.
What I was not grateful for was the Naari soldier, clothed in jet-black and lava red, guarding the entryway—or rather, reading a book close to it.
I could only see one guard, but very close to him was an oversized bell, which I was sure would attract plenty of attention if it were rung. I couldn’t get caught.
I was also not grateful for the fact that the entrance was barred with a towering gate. The iron bars didn’t reach its full height, however; they all ended with a pointy spike. I swallowed, taking a careful step back.
I didn’t expect the desolate oasis to be guarded, and I couldn’t help but imagine what might have awaited me had I chosen to cross the bridge instead.
I unfolded the map and traced the mouth of the crevice, realising that Ramel was no longer beneath my feet.
I was officially standing on the Land of Ilma.
And so it began.
I crouched, then crawled closer, taking cover behind two rocks.
Then I went prone, peering through a small but convenient gap.
I waited there—watched the soldier attentively as if I was a lurking tiger waiting for the opportune moment to hunt down its prey.
Except I was no predator, and he was no prey.
I was merely a mouse, waiting for the sneakiest moment, hoping that nature would call on my obstacle and bid me enough time.
Enough time to spare me from having to shoot him.
Because if it came down to it, I would do it. I will not let him sound that bell.
I was patient. More patient than the sun itself, as I watched it retire beyond the horizon. I didn’t mind the world dimming, though. Darkness would be my friend today.
Leave! my thoughts commanded. And as if I had possessed the soldier’s mind, he sat his book down, stood up, and grabbed what looked like a piece of cloth. Then he hurried away, disappeared behind the colossal prickly trees. Good soldier.
I leapt into a sprint, touching the grainy ground momentarily with the balls of my feet, my steps near silent. My hands clenched the bars.
Shit! They were so tightly spaced, only one arm made it through. I looked up at the bars and grimaced—they were twice my height.
My hands trailed the thick chain that looped around the gates’ central bars, slack in its loop but fastened with a heavy padlock.
I turned—looked around, searching for a key I knew I wouldn’t find.
I knew the soldier carried it, just like Mounir had always carried his.
My hands clenched the gates once more. In desperation, I forcefully pushed the central bars and almost stumbled as the gates inched forward.
I immediately stopped myself, all force dissipating from my arms. I pulled against it even, eager to silence the chain.
Then I pushed, slowly, until finding resistance.
That slight inward movement created an unaligned gap at the gates’ centre.
It wasn’t much, but I hoped that all those nights I went to bed on an aching stomach would serve me for this very moment.
The bow and my stubborn bag went in first. I hastily removed my items from the dress pockets and secured them in my bag. I quickly moved, pushing and squeezing myself between the bars. My face turned taut. I was midway through, half-stuck, when I heard footsteps approaching.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
I pushed harder, tucking in my stomach and shifting my hips. I restricted grunts to silent exhales with difficulty. My blood pulsed.
Push, gods damn it!
I finally made it through, almost stumbling, almost breathing. I frantically hoisted my bow and bag.
Fuck! He was so close now, shadows moved. But I couldn’t leave the gates like that. I carefully readjusted them. A mistake perhaps. My jaw tightened as despite my efforts, the damned chain squeaked.
“Who’s there?” the guard asked, voice deep. His footsteps hurried, bringing with him the sun. Fire Wielder.
Light from his flame fell through the bars and I glimpsed an entry to my left. I leapt into its shadows and crouched, one hand resting against the wall, the other clamped over my mouth. I held my breath.
Hold, I repeated, over and over in my head. My heart pounded so hard, I was afraid he could hear it.
The soldier neared the gate, allowing me to see what was beyond, the depths of the tunnels.
“Fucking rats,” he murmured, taking away my sight. That’s when I deflated, letting out a long, silent exhale.
Again, I found myself waiting. I didn’t move until I heard him snore.
I extended my arms and blindly took small steps until I felt the opposite wall against my palms. Then I walked towards its corner, the wall itself being my only guide.
I kept moving, taking one blind step after another until my fingers found the corner.
From memory alone, I walked into the endless tunnel.
The emptiness reminded me of my visit to the Seer.
The mere reminder of her—of her foul breath—sent a creepy shiver down my spine.
But the darkness was too familiar not to imagine her face, expecting her amber viper eyes to appear out of nowhere.
Except down here wasn’t all that silent.
I could hear the fucking rats squeaking and scurrying. The hairs on my arms stood on end.
I looked back—the entrance was no longer in sight.
That’s when I deemed it safe to take out the pocket flame.
Light. I managed to suppress my scream, but I sure as hell was startled at the grey rat that stood in my path.
We made eye contact. My blood rushed, giving me the will to stomp my foot and move the immortal flame towards it with a hiss.
Thankfully, it fled, as did my next shaky breath.
Light from the flame illuminated the map. My eyes traced the length of the tunnel. I hadn’t reached the first crossing yet—or at least I thought not—so I kept moving through the seemingly endless passage.
Hours had passed. My body begged for rest, but this eerie place filled me with such unease, I knew I wouldn’t be closing both eyes in a squelching tunnel. So I stopped only once I reached the crossing. It led to five other canals, just as the map had promised.
At the crossing’s centre was a wide, circular gap—a sort of constructed, round reservoir. I looked down, with no end to see. At its centre was a flat, circular stone from which a large water valve emerged. I had no doubt that rats were excellent jumpers, but I’d rather rest on higher ground.
I threw my bag first, then leapt over the deadly gap. I climbed atop the stone’s apex and settled there, beneath the water valve. I left the pocket flame open, with the hopes of warding off the rats. I closed both eyes, hugging my bag to my chest.
I awoke with a gasp. “Agh!” A metallic note rang out, resonating through the vaulted chamber as I hit my head against the damned valve. I cursed it. Then made my way out from beneath it, rubbing my skull.
A soft chuckle of relief left me at the rays of sunlight that made their way through the overflow vents at the ceiling.
I followed the light, noticing a wall-mounted ladder beneath the larger vent.
It was tempting, but not yet, so I scratched the exit on the map and entered the third tunnel—the one that led to another crossing.
I reached it hours later. More vents. More exits.
Though my start of a grin faded at the realisation.
My index finger traced the map. “Fuck,” I muttered, noticing a negative symbol before the tunnel entries, marking their sharp descent.
One ran all the way down to the Depths, the other was a connection to the Fount.
I took small, careful steps towards the tunnel that led to the Depths, hand braced against the wall. I dared to peek my head into the abyss. Yep—it dropped dizzyingly down. I edged back, chest tight.
My exit was here.
I was still four days—give or take—away from Riptide Falls. And as much as I hated these rat-infested waterways, I’d rather stay hidden below ground than run around on Ilman land.