Chapter Twenty
After two days preparing, planning, and fruitlessly listening for the sounds of urzhen in the tunnel beyond the outer cavern, they crept forth, all unnecessary gear left in the hidden chamber. If they survived, they’d hopefully have the chance to return and reclaim it. But if they had to flee for their lives, every ounce that they left behind made it just that much more likely that they’d be able to outpace their pursuers.
Their plans were not so thorough or detailed as those they’d settled upon before prior attacks, simply because they were relying far more upon conjecture than information. Of the five suitable caverns Kaakhag knew to be in the area, three were both close to their chamber and close to each other—so close that if the shaman was residing in any of them, the tribe would need to maintain control over all three. If they didn’t, any unoccupied cavern would be a handy place from which an adversary could mount an attack with a large force. That made Kaakhag’s knowledge of Rot territory hashes particularly important; those were the only means whereby they might have some idea of which of the three—or the others—was the shaman’s personal seat of power.
After passing the rat-gnawed remains of the two guards they had defeated days before, the group began moving quickly. Presuming they were in enemy territory meant that every passing minute increased the chance of bumping into various urzhen simply going about the tribe’s daily business. The only way to reduce the odds of that occurring was to move more quickly, but the only way to achieve that was to somehow improve the visibility for the three humans. So they resorted to an expedient that they had previously used in a more limited fashion and only for conducting attacks: small patches of glowing lichen, now affixed to each of their backs. That enabled the humans to see where Kaakhag and Umkhira were leading them and also allowed Ahearn to remain at the back with Raun, whose ears were their best protection against surprises from behind.
After half an hour, in which they passed through several four- and five-way intersections, Umkhira called for a brief halt to warn them that, according to what Kaakhag had been told, they were now nearing the outer guard points for the first of the three caves that could house the greater part of the shaman’s tribe. But when they continued on, they passed those points without encountering any living creatures and so, followed the tunnel all the way to their first destination.
It was a single immense chamber rather than a complex of sizable caverns, and it showed signs of recent use, but only as a lager, or maybe a meeting place. The subtle spoor that would have marked it as jealously held territory—debris, scat, cooking circles—was absent. Since it was also the site closest to the tunnel that led down into the Black, Druadaen wondered aloud if this might be where the shaman met the underkin to parley. Kaakhag and the other two humans simply shrugged; there was no way to know.
Another ten minutes of walking brought them to a fork in the tunnel. Kaakhag studied the stone around that split, looked up both passages, and then led them into the smaller of the two. Better to assess that one first, he explained, since its size made it the less likely candidate.
They moved barely ten minutes in that direction before Kaakhag called a halt to their cautious forward creeping and turned about. They hadn’t encountered any outlying guard posts or defense barriers, the tribal hashes were sparse, and Umkhira had seen none of her kinswoman’s secret signs.
Upon returning to the fork, they entered the larger passage and, within minutes, encountered clear signs that they were approaching the shaman’s seat of power. Kaakhag pointed out the significant increase in tribal hashes and Umkhira reported seeing the huntress’s signs. Other passages branched off, but Kaakhag did not even bother to investigate them; he knew them to be minor connectors to other tunnels.
Ten minutes later, he called for a halt and went ahead on his own. He returned within the minute, motioning that the time had come to cover the glowing lichen markers on their backs. Umkhira began translating the gestures that only she could see, now. “He says that there are four Rot up ahead, guarding the entrance to the main tunnel into this cave complex. One of them is very large, probably a kosh.”
Druadaen frowned. “I do not know that word.”
“It’s slang for ‘kagh urzh.’ Means he’s a beefy fellow,” Ahearn explained. “Born so large that his chief made sure he had enough food and training to grow into a big, powerful warrior. Better weapons and armor, too.” Ahearn make a tsk noise. “But what worries me is that there are four watching the entrance.”
Umkhira murmured. “Why? We expected a large number patrolling any entry to the shaman’s seat of power.” She paused, then added Kaakhag’s comment. “You claimed Elweyr’s mancery can overcome that many.”
“Yes,” Elweyr muttered, annoyed. “But while doing so, I can’t move quickly. I’ll have to keep concentrating on the thaumate.”
“Why this time and not the others?” Umkhira asked.
Ahearn interceded for his friend. “If he wanted, Elweyr could dazzle this lot until their eyes crossed and they fell over. But here, we can’t afford the sound of them hitting the ground or awakening later to discover themselves all passed out in one great heap. The dimmest Bent ever whelped would still know to sound an alarm.”
“So,” Umkhira said after a pause, “we must use the same methods we did at the first intersection we had to cross, the day we entered.”
Elweyr nodded. “Yes. The first guard had to be dazed and held that way. If he’d just fallen over unconscious, the second guard wouldn’t have stepped over to check on him. He would have sounded an alarm.”
Druadaen saw the difficulty. “But here, you have to hold four in that kind of daze at the same time. So that they will have no memory of us passing.”
Ahearn nodded. “All of which takes more concentration and more magic—”
“Manas,” Elweyr corrected with a long-suffering sigh.
“Manas, magic, power, hoo-doo. Call it what you will but holding those Bent unaware will cost you dear.”
S’ythreni’s voice suggested more than mere practical concern. “Elweyr, is it safe to spend so much?”
He answered in a tone that was the equivalent of a shrug. “Thaumancy doesn’t personally drain the wielder the way other mantic disciplines do. But the less manas I have left, the less likely I am to succeed at constructing additional thaumates.”
“‘Constructing additional thaumates’?” repeated Umkhira slowly.
“That’s wizard-talk for ‘cast more spells,’” supplied Ahearn. “Now, let’s be about finishing this business. Do either of you see fireglow coming from behind the entry they’re guarding?”
“Yes,” S’ythreni and Umkhira answered in unintended unison. The latter added, “Kaakhag says it is not bright enough for work, so many will be sleeping.”
“Good,” Ahearn muttered. “Now, be mindful of your noise. We’ll creep along so that Elweyr can befuddle any guards before we get to ’em. But if one of them manages to yell out, then it’s all lights and all speed following Kaakhag into what lies beyond. As the only one who’s lived in this part of the Undergloom, he’s got the best chance of getting us straight to the shaman.”
S’ythreni’s mutter was dark and tense. “I just hope he’s right about there being side passages out of this place.”
Ahearn sighed. “He says there will be, and that’s good enough for me.” But the swordsman’s resigned tone seemed to add, and how could we ever hope to know if he’s wrong? “Now: Any more questions?” Silence. “Well then, ask favor of your gods and let’s get on with it.”
* * *
Getting through the main entry into the complex was almost anticlimactic. They waited as Elweyr, face coated in a heavy layer of char, leaned one eye around the corner and went completely still. He stayed that way so long that Druadaen began to wonder if his dazing mancery could rebound back upon himself.
But eventually, he waved the others on with the hand he’d kept back behind the corner. With Druadaen now bringing up the rear, they approached casually but remained watchful; if Elweyr’s control slipped, they would have to attack swiftly.
But they simply walked past the dumbstruck urzhen, whose eyes were blank and unblinking. Umkhira and Kaakhag still led the way since both might be briefly mistaken as belonging in this place. Ahearn was right behind, sword in one hand, Elweyr’s upper arm in the other; he seemed to be supporting and steering his friend. Raun padded silently behind, followed by S’ythreni, who was ready to step out and bring her crossbow to bear.
Although there were no fires in the tunnel itself, the collective glow emanating from side caverns seemed reasonably bright to Druadaen’s dark-adjusted eyes. Nearing one of the larger light sources, Umkhira signaled for a halt, then touched an eyelid. The others peered ahead.
Two guards flanked the entry, leaning on the wall. Ahearn looked apologetically toward Elweyr, who waved off the concern: their plan presumed that his mancery would be needed frequently at the outset. While slaves of the tribe, the two humans had noted the shaman’s unusual prudence, which had made their escape that much more challenging. It was he who had convinced the prior chief to place small, separate watches near each large chamber, not just the main entry.
Ahearn and Elweyr had expected no less here and so, had planned accordingly. Once again, Elweyr reached forth a steady hand, eyes focusing someplace well beyond the dank cave walls. After a moment, he nodded and they moved slowly forward. They peered in cautiously as they drew abreast of the entry; the cavern was high-roofed and immense, at least twoscore prone urzhen scattered about, either sleeping or lounging.
But one very young one was awake and came sneaking toward the now-motionless guards. He or she stared at them for several seconds, bewildered, before even noticing Kaakhag and Umkhira. The little one’s eyes grew very wide and round and she/he scampered back into the cave, whispering loudly.
“Quickly!” Umkhira whispered as Kaakhag gestured for them all to follow. No sooner had they swept around the next bend in the tunnel than they heard flat feet come slap-slap-slapping out of the entry they’d just left behind. After a few moments of silence, a higher-pitched mutter was audible, but began fading; apparently, the speaker was heading back into the cavern. Druadaen made ready to move, but Kaakhag held up his hand, cocked his ear to listen.
They all heard what came next: a hissing remonstration, a meaty smack, and a young howl that was quickly muffled.
Umkhira translated as Kaakhag’s hands resumed moving even as he did. “It was unlikely the whelp would be believed, but it was best to be sure.”
“I quite agree,” muttered Ahearn, wiping sweat off his brow. “Onward, then.”
* * *
The second cavern dormitory they passed had only one guard. Elweyr breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, this should be a little easier.” He turned to Umkhira. “Get as close as you can. Signal when you’re ready to move.”
“What are you going to—?”
“This one’s alone. If he’s found unconscious, the assumption—including his own—will be that he fell asleep on his watch. Stand ready to catch him.”
She courted the shadows to get within fifteen feet of the Rot, then flashed her palm in readiness.
Elweyr reached out, frowned as if he was trying to perform a balancing act with his eyes closed, concentrated even harder.
The solitary guard yawned, reached back to steady himself against the wall. He slumped, his weapon hanging loosely in his hand. As he half slid down the wall, Umkhira stepped in to catch the guard before easing him down into a sitting position. He was already snoring faintly.
As they crept past the open cavern—almost twice the size of the other—Ahearn leaned toward his friend. “Good work, Elweyr. Always said you were the finest mancer I ever met.”
“So it looks to you.” Ahearn stared at him. “I’m exhausted already. A truly accomplished thaumantic would carry off what I have as if it was all just a few steps in an easy dance. But today, every step is like pushing through cold treacle.”
The third chamber was smaller and unguarded, but one glance inside told them that it was not merely another general sleeping area; this was more like a barracks. Large forms, some of them not urzhen in outline, slouched or slept, slaves nearby. Ahearn waved Kaakhag to move past; they were undetected, and they hadn’t much further to go.
But the big, mute urzh either didn’t notice, or chose not to. He closed his eyes, lifted his head, nostrils flaring. A pained look came over his face. He signed briefly. Druadaen knew what it signified before Umkhira could translate. “He smells his brother in there. Probably one of the slaves.”
Ahearn moved slightly closer to Kaakhag. “Now listen: I’d want to run in there, too. No waiting; just get him and be gone. But if you do that, then this is where our fight begins. And probably ends. And even if we’re lucky enough to get away, the shaman would send his hounds after us. And what would become of the young Lightstrider?” The urzh looked back at him, frowning but neither surprised nor angry. “You said it yourself, Kaakhag; the only safe end to this is to send the shaman to whatever creedland will have him and for us to slip out the escape passages he’s likely to have back near his own cave.”
After a long, silent moment, the urzh nodded and moved back to the head of the group. Ahearn drew a deep breath, released it slowly, and followed the big Rot deeper into the complex.