by Sky Croft
“How’s it going, Blake?” Shale’s tone was calm, soothing.
“I have the flint. The lantern is beside me. I just need to find... Ah-ha. I have it. Hold on.”
“Can we do anything else?” Kale joked.
Blake struck the flint against the rock floor. Nothing happened. She did it again, and a spark glinted in the darkness. A third try, and the candle flared to life. She carefully placed it inside the lantern, and light cut through the cloying darkness.
Kale and Amber began to clap, their applause echoing loudly along the tunnel.
“Nicely done, Blake.” Shale smiled at her.
Blake focused on lighting a second candle, not wanting to chance a repeat occurrence. Only when she’d shut the lantern’s door did she release the tense breath she’d been holding.
“That was frightening.” Blake placed a hand over her churning stomach. “And our own fault. It was quite remiss of us to neglect the candles like that.”
“I forgot all about them,” Shale said.
“So did I,” Amber added sheepishly.
“Do you need a candle?” Blake asked. “I can throw one across.”
A shake of red hair accompanied her answer. “No, your lanterns are enough. Besides, we’ll be joining you as soon as we get the rest of this gold over.”
“Oh, sorry, Shale.”
Reminded of the task at hand, and the fact that Shale was still hanging onto the rope which held the suspended bag of gold, Blake moved quickly to her. She sat down behind Shale and took some of the strain from the rope.
Shale looked humorously over her shoulder. “Let’s try this again. Swing it side to side.”
They swung the rope sideways, waiting for the signal to pull the bag upward.
“Now.” Kale and Amber instructed simultaneously.
Blake heaved as Shale did, the rope passing quickly through their hands as they hauled the bag up toward them.
“That’s it,” Kale said. “The bag has passed the outcrop.”
The bag rose easily now, and without any further delay. Shale lifted it up over the edge, then handed it back to Blake, who put it to one side of the tunnel. The last satchel was undemanding, almost effortless in comparison to the others, yet it was the most precious, since it contained Zephyra’s urn. They were all relieved when it reached the other side of the void safely.
After Amber and Kale were across, the rope they’d used to swing the gold over was left behind, along with the rope already fixed in place that bridged the hole. Their last remaining rope was to be used at the river, though they’d have no further use for it after that, so it’d be left to aid their fellow Amazons when they arrived.
Kale led the way along the tunnel. “When we get back to the surface, I think we should celebrate our success.”
Shale let out a chuckle. “Let me guess, Kale, you want to celebrate by having a big meal?”
Kale gave a keen nod. “We deserve a reward for all this hard work and we’ll be starving by the time we get back.”
Amber scoffed. “What about the food in your satchel?”
“It’s almost gone. Don’t look at me like that. It was shared four ways.”
“You shall have your meal, Kale,” Blake said. “And when we reach our village, we’ll celebrate properly with a feast in Zephyra’s honor.”
Kale hooted in delight. “We’ll all be toasted as heroes. And deservedly so.”
Shale leaned close to Blake and whispered in her ear. “Aren’t heroes supposed to be modest?”
“I heard that.”
Chapter Twenty
“I’LL GO FIRST. Shale, make sure you use the rope to guide you.” Kale patted her arm condescendingly. “Wouldn’t want you to slip again.”
Irritated, Shale knocked her hand aside. “Gods, I’m never going to hear the end of that, am I?”
“I’m just watching out for you.”
“No, you’re trying to provoke me.” Shale pushed Kale toward the water. “Now get going before you say anything further, or I may decide to let you be washed downstream.”
“That could only happen if I slipped, which I won’t.”
As Shale watched her twin wade into the underground river, she felt a mischievous smile form. She waited for the water to reach Kale’s mid-thigh, then gave a moderate tug on the rope she was holding, which, for safety, was around Kale’s waist. She smirked as Kale had to quickly readjust her footing to stay balanced.
“Shale, don’t you dare!”
Shale chuckled, her point made. She let the rope play out between her hands, then when Kale reached the other tunnel downstream, she tied the rope around the large boulder so it was taut.
“Shale, I’ll go last,” Amber said. “The rope will have to be reeled in, and I’m the only one who isn’t weighted down with gold.”
Since the water level wasn’t that high, and they could wade across, they had decided to carry the gold-filled satchels, rather than pull them by rope. They knew it would be easier returning, since they were going downstream rather than having to fight against the current, but they still placed the same safety measures in place, and intended to use the rope, held securely at both ends, to help guide them.
“The rope is above the water line, so its integrity won’t be compromised.” Blake took hold of the rope and stepped into the river. “Why can’t it stay in place?”
“Because if there’s a heavy rainfall, the level will rise. Kale and I couldn’t cross the first time we came down, remember?”
“Of course.” Blake shook her head, seemingly at herself, then began to trek downstream.
“All right.” Shale nodded her consent to Amber, knowing the rope would be of more assistance while it was tied at both ends. “I’ll follow Blake.”
Shale didn’t relish the thought of going back into such icy cold water, but there was no other way to go. When it was her turn, Shale waded into the river. She found the current actually helped this time, pushing her through the water. She reached the tunnel downstream a lot quicker than expected, and took Blake’s helping hand as she sloshed out of the river.
“You look as cold as I feel,” Blake said.
“It’s certainly refreshing.” Shale bent and squeezed some water from her trouser legs. “Do you still have that blanket?”
Blake removed it from her bag. “It’s still pretty wet from the last time we used it. Hasn’t dried much in the cold of the cave.”
Shale took it anyway, and after rolling her trouser legs up, she ran it over her calves, drying them as best she could.
“You made it then?” Kale grinned at Shale. “And without mishap no less.”
Shale focused on drying herself off, then she balled up the blanket and threw it in Kale’s face. Kale snorted with laughter, then patted her own legs down with the blanket.
When Amber joined them in the tunnel, Shale coiled up the rope, and looked around for a place to leave it.
Kale walked up the tunnel a short way. “The water had risen up to about here, and that was after a massive storm. The rope should be safe past this point.”
Shale nodded and walked a bit farther, just to be doubly certain. She set the rope down on the ground, glad to be leaving it behind, so she was free of its heft. The day, though fruitful, had been long, and tiredness was starting to creep in.
The group trudged on, and soon the tunnel began to draw in on itself, tightening to a narrow gap.
Blake groaned. “I hate this part.”
“Kale.” Amber raised a warning finger. “No jokes this time. I mean it.”
Kale looked genuinely surprised. “It’s not that bad.”
“It is.” Blake said.
“Well, we’ll have to trail our bags alongside us like before.” Kale prodded her satchel. “But since the gold is so bulky, it won’t all fit through in one go.”
“What?” Blake grimaced. “We have to make more than one trip?”
“Afraid so.” Kale, Shale noticed, at least had the decency to keep
a straight face, though it was clear she didn’t understand the issue.
Shale’s fingers softly encircled Blake’s wrist. “Why don’t you and Amber hold here a moment? Kale and I will take the bags through.”
“The gold and the supplies?” Kale’s voice rose an octave higher than usual. “That’s five bags, Shale. We’ll have to go back and forth three times!”
Shale gave her a stern look. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Kale sighed, but no further protest emerged. “Line up the bags by the opening. We’ll take them through.”
“Thank you,” Blake said, though her gaze was on Shale.
Shale squeezed Blake’s wrist, and returned Amber’s grateful smile. It was obvious the enclosed space troubled them both, more than she’d previously realized, but all she could do was attempt to shorten their ordeal. They had to go through to reach the surface.
Shale dragged one of the heavier bags of gold through first. As she worked her way sideways through the tight crevice, she heard Kale following in her wake.
“You owe me for this, Shale.”
“Fine. Take it off the list of things you owe me for.” Shale knew that Kale was indebted to her for many things—Kale’s personality being what it was—so her list was a lot longer. For as long as Shale could remember, she’d been getting Kale out of trouble.
Kale laughed. “Well, that’s one down.”
Emerging out the other side, into the wider tunnel, they dumped the gold before starting back through the crevice. They actually only had to make the journey once more, as Kale’s bag of food was nearly empty, so didn’t offer much bulk. Kale carried that and the other supply satchel, while Shale took particular care with the bag containing Zephyra, Blake’s honored ancestor.
The bags now through, Kale sat down on the ground, as if to rest her legs. Shale slipped into the crevice once more.
“Where are you going? We’ve brought everything through.”
Shale didn’t answer. She wedged her way sideways through the narrow fissure, feeling cramped as the stone pressed in around her. She expected Blake and Amber would be on their way, but as she continued there was no sign of either woman.
BLAKE RUBBED HER arms to try and warm herself up. She was apprehensive about the next part of the tunnel. The mere thought of the tight space made her palms sweat and her stomach knot. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage. “I suppose we’d best get this done.”
“I’d rather wade in that icy river again.” Amber exhaled heavily. “All right, let’s go.”
“Ladies.” Shale’s unexpected voice made Blake jump. “Your escort has arrived.”
Blake smiled, feeling the knot in her stomach lessen somewhat at Shale’s presence.
Shale leaned farther out of the crevice. “Blake, take my hand. Just hold on to me. Amber, take Blake’s. We’ll soon be through.”
Blake crossed to Shale and gave her an appreciative kiss on the lips. She was surprised when Shale pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, her tongue slipping inside and sliding wetly against Blake’s.
Overwhelmed by the rush of emotions, not to mention desire, Blake could only blink dazedly at Shale when she withdrew. When she regained her senses, Blake was astounded to find she was being led through the crevice. Better yet, she could already see the endpoint in sight.
Shale’s dulcet tones reached Blake’s ears. “You’re both doing great. Not much farther now.”
Amber gave Blake’s hand a squeeze. Sounding amused, she said, “Are you back with us yet?”
Blake was still somewhat flustered. “I am.” She blew out an impressed breath. “Gods, Shale, you can kiss.”
Shale responded with a pleased chuckle. “Thought you might be grateful for a distraction.”
Amber snickered. “Any more grateful, and I would’ve had to make myself scarce.”
Rather than being embarrassed, Blake laughed with her. “I’d be lying if I said the thought didn’t cross my mind.”
Blake stepped out into the wider tunnel, extremely relieved to have that part of the trip behind her. Off to the side, she noticed Kale sat waiting for them.
Amber grinned as she emerged from the crevice. “Well, it would certainly be one way to warm yourselves up.”
“What would?” Kale asked, clearly only catching the last bit of the conversation.
Amber waggled her eyebrows. “We were referring to sex.”
“Oh, typical.” Kale threw up her hands in despair. “The conversation turns interesting when I’m not around to hear it.”
KALE PEERED UP at the ledge above, but the lantern they’d left to light up the climb to the higher tunnel had seemingly extinguished, offering no help whatsoever. She realized the lantern had probably gone out at a similar time to the others—the candle burnt down until it was of no use.
“So much for leaving the lantern up there.”
“Never mind,” Shale said. “I’ll go up and relight it.”
Blake passed a spare candle, and Shale tucked it under her belt, clearly needing her hands free to ascend the rope.
Each woman carried their own flint. Whether it was for warmth, or to cook, fires were often a necessity, so it was vital to carry a flint. Kale carried hers in the pouch on her hip for easy access, and knew Shale did the same. Though Kale wasn’t wearing her usual clothes, her pouch and weapons were still with her.
Leaving the bag of gold behind, Shale quickly disappeared up the rope.
Blake shook her head in disbelief. “Do you two ever get tired?”
Amber clapped a hand on Blake’s back, as if she’d been thinking the same thing. “It’s annoying, isn’t it?”
Kale smirked at them both. “Would it make you feel better if I said yes?” Blake nodded. “It would, actually. I’m about ready to collapse from exhaustion, and you and Shale haven’t even broken a sweat.”
“Do you think my clothes are only damp from the river?”
“Really?” Blake’s voice rose a notch, sounding oddly hopeful.
“No!” Kale guffawed at their disheartened expressions. “It was the river.”
“I’m worn out too, Blake.” Amber sat down as if in demonstration. “It’s not just you.”
“Thank you, Amber,” Blake said pointedly.
A lantern suddenly flickered to life from above, and a shrill whistle followed.
Kale made a move for the rope. “I tell you what. I’ll go up next. Then if you load on the bags at this end, we’ll haul them up.”
Blake smiled at the offer. “Sounds good.”
Amber pinched Kale’s rump as she began her climb upward. “That’s generous of you.”
Kale paused to look down at her. “I’m merely trying to hurry things along. The sooner we get back, the sooner I can have my meal.”
Amber shook her head, undoubtedly knowing better. “You always have an answer. Gods forbid someone actually thinks you’re doing something nice.”
Kale scowled as she continued up the rope. “I swear, Amber, if you start with that sweet talk again, the offer’s rescinded.”
From below her, Blake and Amber chuckled. Kale muttered to herself as she climbed, and soon pulled herself onto the above ledge.
Kale sat down next to her twin. “They’re loading on the gold as we speak.”
As if to verify her point, the rope suddenly jerked as it was given a go-ahead tug.
By this point, everyone knew what they were doing, and what was expected of them. They all worked as a team, now proficient in their learned expertize. They labored at a steady pace, and before long all of the baggage was up in the higher tunnel: the group of satchels all laid out in a row.
Blake was red in the face when she reached the top, and Shale helped her onto the ledge.
“You look awful.” Kale sniggered, though she stopped short when Shale nudged her in the ribs.
“Kale, I swear...” Blake was panting heavily, greedily pulling in air.
“Sit down, Blake.” Shale pulled Blake
down into her lap. “Catch your breath.”
Moments passed as Shale repetitively stroked Blake’s hair. “We only have this tunnel, then we’re back in the main cavern. We’ll stop and rest before we go up the shaft.”
Blake nodded, then closed her eyes, visibly exhausted.
When Amber arrived, Kale helped her up onto the ledge. She noticed Amber’s wince of pain instantly. “Your wound’s hurting you, isn’t it?”
Amber gave a tense nod. “I’ll go up the shaft last, so I can take my time.”
“Shale and I can help pull you up.” Kale lightly rubbed Amber’s arm. “We’re already heaving up the gold, what’s one more heavy thing?”
Amber produced a small smile. “Oi.”
KALE RUBBED HER hands together in eager anticipation. She was in the main, and thankfully, last cavern, and the group was taking a rest before attempting to climb the shaft. “I fancy rabbit to eat, how about you three?”
“As long as you catch it, Kale, I have no preference.” Blake released a loud yawn. “I may just fall into my bedroll.”
“You can’t do that,” Kale said. “Although, on second thought, it means more for me.”
“I could eat some rabbit.” Amber stretched out on her back, lying flat against the rock floor. “Though I don’t know how you have any energy left to catch some.”
Shale chuckled. “You should know by now, Amber, Kale is unstoppable when it comes to food. I think she would take on an entire army for the last bread roll.”
“Laugh all you want, but you’d all be going hungry tonight if I wasn’t willing to put in the work.”
“I?” Shale raised a challenging eyebrow. “Don’t you mean ‘we’? I’ll no doubt get roped into it.”
Kale felt a slow smirk spread across her face. “Well, now that you mention it...”
Shale sighed. “I knew.”
