HANNA PROVED TO be stubborn. She
did not agree with Lyra, despite various explanations from her as the day wore
on. Lyra did not blame her; it sounded fantastical even to her ears.
Thus,
in the middle of the night, while Hanna was in deep sleep, Lyra slipped away. Hanna
was able to track her, but she hoped her actions would force Hanna to pause and
think. Hopefully, she would choose, in the morning, to go back.
As
silent as she was able to, Lyra led Leaf away. A fair distance from their camp,
she entered the river, praying she was far enough removed not to wake Hanna
with the resultant splashing sounds, hoping also that the point of entry into
the current was where Hanna lost her trail if she did come looking for her.
By
mid-morning Lyra knew she was alone. Either Hanna lost her, or she chose to
return as asked. Never had she felt this lonely. Thank the stars for Leaf. Her gentleness
and warmth gifted Lyra hope.
Together
they travelled without incident for days, and then the morning arrived when the
peaks towered over them. Buried in clouds up there was a suggestion of a spike,
a manufactured object.
Destination.
The
Spire.
The
ethereal Sassen said to search for a trapdoor. While Lyra did not trust her motives,
about the entry point she did not think the woman lied. That was her hope. Much
of what she now acted upon was based on faith.
In
the end, finding it was easier than she believed it would be. In a dark glade,
for the mountain threw a deep shadow, she found it.
Seeing
the hidden entryway brought Damin to mind and other trapdoors they used back in
Normur. She missed him with an ache that caused her stomach to roil. How she
wished he was with her. His solid presence and mischievous smile would serve to
strengthen her fading optimism.
Given
the location, this was where she and Leaf needed to part ways. She removed her
pack and water, and then unsaddled her. There was certainly enough for Leaf to
eat and drink, but Lyra prayed she would be fine.
She
had been a good friend.
~
SHE EXPECTED DARKNESS. The lower the
metal ladder took her, the lighter it became, however. There was no light
source other than the dwindling grey circle overhead and yet she was able to
see. Perhaps it was a property of the ancient stone she descended into.
Her
feet touched a paved floor. A surfaced tunnel weaved into distance, faintly
glowing. She found that stranger than anything that went before, for it revealed
a past, a people with the ability to delve and dress rock.
Light
beings did not do this. Their slaves did. How long had it been since the first
sanctuary seekers vanished into obscurity in this place? Here time itself
pressed upon her.
Shouldering
her pack, Lyra trod determinedly forward. Noting curves and rounds in the
shadows, she realised the underground system was complex, potentially a
labyrinth able to stymie direction. Now she wished she had not sent Hanna away;
a companion would do much to lessen this burden.
Her
footfalls echoed dully. Her heartbeat thundered loudly. Her breath left her in
great gasps. She was afraid. She made so much noise, enough, she thought, to wake
even the dead.
Go back …
Flinching,
Lyra halted.
Danger!
Swallowing,
she understood the voices were all around her. The dead were not only awake,
but speaking.
“I
have to do this,” she said, and her words rebounded akin to hollow bells. “I
know why you seek to delay me, but too many will die if I stop now.”
Tricks and traps await you. Go back.
The other death is the easier death.
They lied!
She
closed her eyes, seeking to ‘see’ the forms. A host swirled around her, all
faceless. Her eyes snapped open. Thank the stars they had no faces.
“My
brother will release you from this prison of waiting, but he must survive in
order to do so.”
Silence
surrounded her. The host was listening.
“Horin
is a warrior. He will stand between us and them, this I swear. Help me now,
please. Show me what to do. Show me how to save my people, and together we will
save each other from the otherworld beings.”
She
waited a long time, unmoving, and then she heard these words.
This way, my lady. Come this way.
Come, reader, join the great march today …
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