Chapter 42 #2
“What makes you say that?”
“There’s no more fuel. So even if someone steps on a button and releases another flaming lamp, as long as we aren’t directly under it, we’ll be fine.”
“Someone test that theory before we cross.”
Raine grew a vine this time, finding another button along the floor. He pressed it and a brazier was released, hitting the floor with a crash. But nothing happened and the flame quickly went out.
“There’s only one more. Might as well release it now,” Raine said, then repeated his previous steps, destroying the last trap in the center of the room.
Casimir said, “Time to cross.”
Though they’d released the flaming obstacles, the group still stepped carefully. Silently. As if any sudden movement could trigger another hazard. Within seconds they stood before the opposite wall, staring at three strange depressions in the stone.
“What does this mean?” Ava asked.
The group was silent.
“I’m not sure,” Casimir finally answered.
“Do we put something in these?” Raine asked, tracing one with his fingers.
“That’s what it looks like,” Gisela said. “But what?”
“Everyone look around, but keep away from the walls,” Casimir said.
They spent the next few minutes searching the cavern, when Imsel’s voice broke the silence. “Here.”
Casimir joined them in the center of the room. Three stone carvings sat in the palm of their hands. “Where did you find these?”
“They were in the braziers.”
“How in the world would we have figured that out?” Raine asked, joining.
“It’s difficult on purpose. Obviously to keep intruders out,” Casimir replied.
They regrouped in front of the wall, examining the figures. The backs were completely smooth, matching the depressions in the wall, impossible to know where each one was supposed to be placed. The other side was carved with three different animals.
“These likely go in a specific order,” Imsel mused, holding up each stone as the rest of the party gathered to watch. “This one is a Jarǒuki’i. This one is a…I have forgotten what this is called.”
“Tiny monster,” Raine said.
“Scorpion,” Ava corrected with an eye roll.
Imsel held up the last one. “This, I am not sure.”
“It looks like a cat,” Ava said. “Should we ask the animals? They might know.”
“Aro, are there any kind of feline creatures that live in this desert that you’re aware of?”
One moment while I confer with the others.
They waited, letting the animals discuss their findings.
Yes. Pascal said he saw several when he was scouting the other day.
“Can you tell me about them?”
Bigger than Luna. Large claws and tawny fur. Predators and probably not friendly.
“Alright, I think that’s enough information.”
Casimir relayed what Aro said, mulling over his words.
“It’s obvious,” Jareth spoke. “Smallest to largest.” He held out his hand. “I’ll do it.”
“That’s too easy,” Maeryn said, but Jareth ignored her.
“What happens if we get it wrong?” Raine asked.
“I guess we’re about to find out,” Gisela murmured.
“Everyone else, back up,” Casimir said. “You’d better be right, Jareth.”
Jareth approached the wall. “You all over think things. Usually, the simplest answer is the correct one.”
Casimir stood close to Ava, his hand on her lower back, prepared to whisk her out of the way should any danger appear. His heart pounded against his ribs as he watched his brother.
Pushing his golden hair out of his face, Jareth placed each carving in order from the smallest to largest creature: the scorpion, the cat, and the Jarǒuki’i.
Nothing happened.
Tension was thick in the air, the cavern silent.
“I guess that didn’t—" Gisela’s voice was cut off when a click echoed above them, then a rumble.
Casimir’s eyes shot to the ceiling. The ceiling that was now moving. Lowering toward them. Thousands of spikes emerged from hidden holes as it closed in.
“Not right, not right, not right!” Raine rushed forward and removed the stones.
It didn’t stop the ceiling.
“Try another combination!” Casimir shouted.
Raine shoved the carvings into the holes, paying no attention to where they might go, the group now beginning to panic. The ceiling lowered faster.
Ava rushed forward and batted him out of the way. “Stop doing random orders. There are too many combinations and every time you get it wrong, we’re that much closer to dying!”
“There are only three objects. How many combinations could there be?” Raine retorted.
“Six. Now be quiet. I’m thinking!”
Imsel joined Ava, Casimir standing right behind her. The rest of the group had huddled behind them in an attempt to avoid the imminent danger, but the metal barbs went all the way to the edge of the room.
“The spikes are getting longer!” Jareth yelled.
“Shit,” someone said.
“What about the deadliest creature?” Imsel suggested.
“Yes. Okay. Least deadly on the left?”
Imsel nodded. “So the cat, then the scorpion, then the Jarǒuki’i.”
Ava placed the cat in the left depression. As she was about to place the scorpion, she paused and shook her head. Quickly she held out her other hand. “Give me the other one.”
“But the scorpion goes next,” a soldier said.
“Trust me.”
Casimir glanced up to find the spikes only a couple feet away. His heart sped up, his palms began to sweat, and he couldn’t help but picture them all being impaled if they didn’t get through this door. “Hurry!”
Imsel handed her the Jarǒuki’i and Ava placed it second, then the scorpion last. The room shuddered and a hidden door rolled away in front of them.
“Go!” Casimir shouted.
Because the ceiling wasn’t stopping and it was almost upon them. Raine shoved Ava in front of him as he led the way with Maeryn, protecting their princess to Casimir’s relief. Casimir stayed behind, ensuring everyone made it, as he crouched lower and lower.
Now on his hands and knees, when the last soldier entered the doorway, Casimir scrambled behind him, pulling his leg in seconds before a spike almost brushed the sole of his boot.