Amazonia: An Impossible Choice

by Sky Croft

  Amber cautiously clambered onto the rope, obviously trying not to jar her injury.

  Blake watched her closely for any signs of discomfort. “How’s the collarbone?”

  Amber looked pleasantly surprised. “The pain’s actually not bad. The real test will be climbing upward, but at least it’s a positive start.” Moving quickly now, she disappeared down the rope.

  Blake drew blue eyes to her by touching Shale’s face, her fingertips a light caress. “And what about you? How are you holding up?”

  Shale held her gaze. “I’m fine, Blake. Honest. I’m not quite sure what came over me last time.”

  “Bad memories,” Blake reminded gently. “And if it happens again, I want you to tell me right away.”

  “I will.” Shale smiled, as if to reassure. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Blake gave Shale’s arm a squeeze, then she descended the rope. As her feet touched the ground, she detected the rumble of an underground river.

  Kale tapped her ear. “That bodes well for us. It’s not half as loud as before.”

  Shale landed beside them. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

  Amber offered Shale her lantern. “Take it. I’m in the middle, so I’m already getting light from in front and behind.”

  Shale accepted the lantern, nodding in thanks.

  The tunnel grew narrow ahead, and Kale stopped in her tracks. “I would remove what you’re carrying, take it through by hand. We’ll have to turn sideways as is, and we won’t fit with all this as well.”

  As if in demonstration, Kale turned sideways, carrying the satchel and lantern in her leading hand, and in the other, the trailing rope. She slipped into the tight-looking passageway. “I’m pleased we left the majority of our supplies above ground, and only brought the necessities with us.”

  Amber went into the passage next, then after waiting several moments, Blake followed her in.

  The tight space restricted Blake’s movement considerably, and each small step forward seemed to take an eternity. “Gods, this is awful.”

  “Now you see why I said to remove everything,” Kale called back.

  “You wouldn’t want to get stuck.”

  Blake had a sudden image of what it would be like to become trapped—the unbudging stone would never give way to her, no matter how hard she tried to free herself. She would be in deep trouble. “Kale, I really wish you hadn’t said that.” Laughter reached her ears, telling her that Kale had done it on purpose. “You’re such an ass.”

  “I second that,” Amber said.

  “Now, now, ladies.” Kale chuckled. “There’s no need to get nasty.”

  “If you make any more stupid comments, you’re going to feel nasty when I get out of this tunnel,” Amber threatened. “Mark my words.

  “Ahh, the voice of love,” Kale joked.

  At the rear end of the line, Shale burst into laughter.

  “Don’t you start,” Blake said in a warning tone. “This isn’t funny.” Her protestations only made Shale and Kale laugh harder, as if she’d told a hilarious joke.

  When the tunnel finally started to open back up, widening again so the stone walls released their smothering grip, Blake inhaled a deep, relieved breath. As she emerged into a broader space, Kale was still sniggering, so Blake solidly smacked her in the stomach.

  “Ow! Shale, you’d best hurry up. Your wife’s attacking me.”

  Shale’s laughter echoed through the tunnel. “Take it like a warrior.”

  IT WASN’T LONG before the four women came to a stop before the underground river.

  “The force has dropped considerably,” Shale said. “The level too. The pool of water has gone.”

  Before there’d been so much excess water, the river had overflowed into the tunnel where they now stood. In fact, they were now stood next to the rocks that she and Kale had waded out to peer around, to gain a view of the river’s course. Now Shale was simply able to point to the right, upstream, to show the tunnel they were aiming for. “Do you see it?”

  Blake nodded. She cast her gaze downstream as well, as if looking for other tunnels. “Yes. I only see one, on the opposite side of the river.”

  “Shale.” Kale motioned her forward.

  Shale handed the lantern off to Amber, as Kale set hers down on the ground. Kale removed the rope from around her shoulders and tied an end around Shale’s waist. Without any preamble, Shale waded into the water, feeling the current pushing against her legs as she reached the middle. As she’d hoped, even at its deepest, the water now only came up to her mid-thigh. Given her height, Shale knew the water would reach higher on both Blake and Amber, but the current wasn’t that strong, so she wasn’t particularly worried.

  Shale turned and waded back out of the river. “I’d suggest two ropes. I’ll go on ahead to the next tunnel, fix this line, and you can guide yourselves up using that. Amber, use your rope to tie around whoever’s in the water, then if anyone loses their footing, they’re not at risk of being swept away.”

  “I’ll come last,” Kale said. “Tie myself onto the guiding line.”

  Now that a plan had been decided, Shale collected a lantern and went back into the frigid cold water, holding the lantern high so that it wouldn’t get splashed, extinguishing the flame inside.

  Shale was shaking by the time she emerged into the next tunnel, having spent longer than she’d needed to in the icy water. She’d been thorough in her search, wanting to make sure that this was indeed the right tunnel, and another wasn’t simply farther upstream.

  It hadn’t helped that she’d fallen, her warrior’s sure footing failing her. Part of the rock must have been covered in slime or moss, for she’d slipped and was now soaked through, up to her chest. She’d thankfully managed to keep the lantern raised, so the flame still burned inside. There was no escaping the fact that she’d fallen though—the ends of her hair were dripping wet, as were her clothes. She knew Kale would no doubt tease her about it.

  Shale rubbed her hands together to warm them, then untied the rope from her waist and fastened it around a suitable, rigid boulder. The boulder was actually big enough for two people to sit on, and Shale clambered onto it to get a better view of downstream. She waved the lantern back and forth, signaling it was now fine for them to cross.

  Blake came next, holding her satchel overhead in one hand, while using the other on the rope. “Here.” Blake passed the still-dry bag to Shale when she arrived. “There’s a blanket in there. Dry yourself off.”

  With a grin, Shale pulled Blake close and kissed her. “What would I do without you?”

  SINCE SHE NO longer knew what awaited ahead, Kale was being more cautious. The tunnel was pitch black beyond the light of the guiding lantern, but at least this tunnel was more spacious than the others—all four women could stand side by side if they so wished. This passageway also inclined upward instead of down, heading toward the surface above, instead of ever deeper into the bowels of the cave.

  The dip in the freezing river had made them all uncomfortably cold, so they’d taken the time to wring their clothes out and dry themselves off before continuing on with the search. Their trousers were still damp of course, and in Shale’s case, also her shirt, but there was little that could be done about that—they wouldn’t dry easily with the low temperature of the caves.

  Kale had to chuckle as she tuned in to their group march. Boots were squelching with every step. Even though the excess water had been tipped out, the soles still retained the moisture.

  “The farther we go on, the more my hopes rise that the urn is still here,” Blake said, breaking the silence after a long spell of walking. “I don’t see why anyone would have cause to come down here, unless they knew of the bounty of course. That river especially, would put people off. It’s a brilliant hiding place.”

  “It certainly is,” Amber said. “But though we appreciate that now, we’ll be cursing like crazy harpies on the way back. It’s going to be hard work to carry gold an
d such back through those obstacles.”

  Worry crept into Blake’s voice. “Mm, you’re right.”

  “Well I hate to add more obstacles,” Kale drew to a halt, holding the lantern out to illuminate the problem. “But we’ve just run into a pretty big one.”

  Lit up before them, stopping their path abruptly, was a gaping black hole. On the other side of the yawning void, the tunnel continued onward. Somehow, they had to get across.

  “Hades.” Amber stomped her foot. “Now what?”

  Kale stepped forward and crouched next to the hole. She found a loose pebble and dropped it into the darkness below. Several moments passed, but she didn’t hear it land. She repeated Amber’s curse, and stood back up. “I was going to suggest we go down on the rope and cross the floor below, to see if we could climb up the other side.” Kale used her lantern to see the texture of the rock. “It’s quite rough. We might be able to climb it.”

  “You were going to suggest that?” Blake asked. “What’s wrong with that plan?”

  “I didn’t hear the stone land. Our rope may not be long enough.”

  Shale ran a hand over the tunnel walls surrounding the hole. “These are a bit too smooth to grip well, but we could chisel out some holds if necessary.”

  “Are you sure there are none already in place?” Amber glanced around, clearly to see for herself. “How did the marauders get across?”

  “You’re assuming this hole was here in their time. This part of the tunnel could’ve collapsed afterward.” Shale paused, then passed Amber the lantern. “Still, it can’t hurt to check.”

  Amber visibly examined the walls, both in the hole and around it. Eventually, she released a sigh. “Shale’s right, it must’ve collapsed afterward. There’s not a hold in sight.”

  Kale stared across the wide gap between the tunnels. She shared a look with Shale. “What do you think?”

  “It’ll be close.” Shale nodded. “Worth a try though.”

  “What is?” Amber asked.

  “I’ll go this time, you went first in the river.” Kale smirked. “Don’t want you to slip again.”

  As Shale rolled her eyes, Kale twisted her satchel around to her back, so it was out of her way. Kale took the rope from Amber’s shoulders. Since Amber was injured, she relieved her of the burden first.

  “What are you going to do?” Blake looked worried, seeming to sense that they weren’t going to use the hammer and chisel after all.

  “Kale’s going to try and jump it. She’ll set up a line for us to climb across.”

  Blake shook her head. “No, that’s not a good idea.”

  “What’s wrong with chipping out the holds?” Amber laid an anxious hand on top of Kale’s to stop her from tying the rope around herself. “It’s too far a jump. You won’t make it.”

  “I might.” Kale shrugged, not at all fazed at the prospect. “If I don’t you can reel me in, and we’ll use the chisel like you want. If it works, it’ll save us a lot of time and effort.”

  Blake’s voice lifted. “You’ll slam back against the rock wall.”

  “Only if I miss.” Kale gave the knot a firm tug to tighten it around her waist. “Shale.”

  Kale set down her lantern. She didn’t hesitate or delay in any way, not wanting to give Blake a chance to order them to stop.

  “I’ve got you.” Shale backtracked up the tunnel.

  With obvious reluctance, Amber followed, and took hold of the rope with Shale.

  Releasing a loud exhalation, Blake joined the others at the rope, clasping on to it also. “You two are so stubborn.”

  Kale grinned at her, then jogged farther up the tunnel, needing to get up to a fast speed if she were to have any chance at all of making it across the wide gap. She moved the rope around to her back also, so it trailed behind and wouldn’t get caught in her feet.

  “Ready?” Kale called out.

  “When you are.” Shale’s voice carried back.

  Kale powered straight into a run, increasing to a swift sprint before she passed Shale and the others. Kale’s life was now in their hands, but she wasn’t at all worried, trusting each of them implicitly. She was racing full speed by the time she reached the hole, and she leapt up into the air at the last possible moment, driving herself forward with a boost of strength from her legs. She sailed through the air at an impressive velocity, but despite her speed, Kale knew as she neared the far side that, though it was going to be close, she wasn’t going to completely clear the hole. She drew her arms up, readying herself for the impact.

  A grunt of pain escaped Kale as she collided with the unyielding rock, her arms and shoulders up on the ledge, but the rest of her body dangled precariously. She grappled for a hold as she started to slip downward, and her fingers latched around a slab of stone, stopping her slide. After some scrabbling, her left foot found purchase, and she managed to climb up the rest of the way.

  “That was fantastic, Kale,” Amber shouted across the void.

  Kale rubbed her chest and stomach to try and take away the sting. She knew she’d have several flourishing bruises by morning. “Well, make the most of it,” she called back. “Because I won’t be doing it again.”

  SHALE FINISHED SECURING the line at her end. She saw that Kale had done the same, and the rope, now taut, was safe to cross.

  “We’ll leave this rope in place to use on our way back,” Blake said. “It’s too difficult to rig.”

  Shale nodded her agreement. She darkened two of the lanterns, wetting the candle’s wick with her fingers. She placed one in Blake’s supply bag, and the other in the empty bag she carried. When the others had crossed, and Shale was ready to cross herself, she would add the third lantern to her bag. One always needed to be alight, or they’d find themselves in pitch darkness.

  Tying the lanterns onto the rope wouldn’t work here, as they’d have to be swung across, so would likely break. Shale made sure the bags were fastened shut, not wanting anything to fall out.

  “Hang out over the rope,” Shale said to Blake, as she tied her rope, as an added safety, around Blake’s middle. “And hook your feet up around it, like you’re crawling upside down.”

  Blake nervously glanced toward the dark abyss below.

  “Don’t look down, Blake. Keep your eyes on Kale. She’ll help you up at the other end.” Shale ran a comforting hand down her arm. “You’ll be fine.”

  Blake nodded, a little unsurely. Shale lifted her chin and gave Blake her best reassuring smile. As if finding the strength she needed, Blake clambered on to the rope and hooked her feet up. She started across, hand over hand.

  “I’m glad I’m wearing trousers,” Blake suddenly said. “This would be quite revealing in a skirt.”

  Shale and Kale both laughed outright.

  Amber chuckled. “Now you know the real reason why I always wear such clothes.”

  From the rope, Blake scoffed. “I might believe that if I didn’t know you, Amber.”

  Amber’s voice rose indignantly. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You don’t have a bashful bone in your body,” Blake said.

  “She’s right.” Kale threw a wink in Amber’s direction.

  Amber produced a guilty grin. “How ironic is it then, that I have to go around all covered up.”

  “That’s why the gods made you fair-skinned. They knew it was the only way to stop you from sauntering around in the nude.”

  “Blake!” Amber admonished. “As if I would do...” Her head tilted thoughtfully.

  “You’re thinking about it even as I speak,” Blake said knowingly, though Shale knew she couldn’t possibly see Amber from the position she was in.

  Amber giggled. “Well, I don’t suppose I’d be shy about such a thing.”

  “I’m all for it.” Kale nodded encouragingly, as if she liked the idea immensely. She reached out and took hold of Blake’s elbow, and helped her up off the rope and onto the ledge.

  Blake untied the rope around her, and S
hale reeled it back in to use once more. As Shale fastened it tightly around Amber, she heard a flint striking against the rock, and an instant later a lantern glowed to life across the void—it seemed Blake had relit the wick.

  Amber was soon across the rope, moving quickly as if to ensure the wound on her collarbone wasn’t put under too much duress. Shale imagined Amber would feel the injury more this time—having to support her weight on her arms would surely pull on Amber’s stitches.

  “Shale, tie on to that end. I’ll use Amber’s end to hold you.” Kale grinned at her. “In case you slip. Again.”

  Shale made a face, but did as Kale suggested. Once she was over the chasm, Shale lit the other two lanterns.

  Blake, who was sitting on the tunnel floor, patted the rock beside her. “Let’s rest a short while. Gather our strength.”

  Amber flopped down in a heap. “I hope there aren’t any more drawbacks. The obstacles we have are plenty enough.”

  “I wonder how long we’ve been down here,” Blake said. “It’s hard to tell without the sun.”

  “Kale’s stomach will tell us when it’s time to eat, don’t you worry about that,” Shale said and ducked as Kale swiped at her. “We’ll head back up before it’s time for our evening meal, assuming we haven’t found anything by then.”

  Kale lifted a lantern, and cast its light along the continuing tunnel. “Surely it’s not much farther?”

  Only silence met her words. No one knew the answer.

  Chapter Nineteen

  SHALE RELEASED A groan as she drew to a stop alongside the others. The tunnel ahead divided into two, and from the hesitation, it was clear no one knew which branch to take.

  Kale indicated the left tunnel, then the right. “Blake, which do you think?”

  “Oh no, I’m not making this decision. We’ll take a vote.” Blake gave Kale a knowing look. “I’m not having you moan at me if I choose wrong.”

  “Maybe we should split up?” Amber said. “It’ll save some time.”

  Blake shook her head. “No, I think we should stay together, we don’t want to lose one another.”