“Sounds easy enough for you. What lies in store for us?” Lawler asked.
“Stick to the path. It will lead you to three separate tunnels. Take the one straight ahead and do not veer off. It will lead you to what I call an underground forest. Across the cavern you will find a tunnel that leads to the trap door. I suggest you get some sleep there because there will be no rest after we rescue the seer.”
“If we rest wouldn’t that waste time?” Kedryn asked.
“No. It will give me time to get back into Faolan’s graces and see if the castles defenses are the same as when I left. Your journey will be at least two more days than mine. I suggest you stop and rest twice. Time will mean nothing while you are down in the cavern. Do not venture away from the path it could be very dangerous if you do.”
“Dangerous?” Niall asked.
“There are loose rocks on the ground mixed in with ice and snow at times. Watch your feet for deeps holes that you could fall into. There is a short drop where we split up. You will squeeze through, slide down a rope and into a small cave. The mud at the bottom does not run deep and from there you have only one way to go.”
“Are you sure you remember the way? How is it that you know exactly where to go?” Kedryn asked.
“I was curious as a child and mapped out the caves before Faolan came to Rule.” Cadmon said and started to draw again.
“Does he have these maps?” Kedryn asked.
“No. Some areas have been discovered by him and some have not.”
“That is good.” Niall said.
“Do Not stray into any side caves no matter how tempting.” To make his point Cadmon looked at each one in the eye. “Also, do not touch any of the cones hanging from the ceiling or protruding up from the floor.”
“My grandfather told me once that sometimes the elements are deadlier than any man or animal out there.” Lawler said.
“He is very wise. I have carved steps and hand holds into the wall. It is not very high and the height of two men. You will find an overhead latched stone and that is where you should rest for a second time.”
“The passage is beyond there?” Niall asked as he glanced at Lawler.
“Yes. It is in the middle of the hidden passage just outside the seer’s door. Once you are in the passageway look for the symbol of the phoenix. Press on the right wing tip and a door will open. If all goes to plan I will be waiting outside the door.” Cadmon fingered his amulet and place it under his shirt.
Kedryn stood and picked up his pack and took the map. “Sounds simple enough. Follow the path and do not wander off.”
“What are we waiting around here for? Let’s go.” Niall said and shouldered his pack.
“Lead the way.” Kedryn said as he gave Cadmon a nod.
They followed Cadmon into the cavern. All Kedryn could think of was razor-sharp rocks and deadly crevasses. The ground crunched underneath his feet and he began to see his breath in front of him. They all lit torches to save the lamps. Cadmon stopped and they looked down at a crack in the floor.
“This is where we part.” Cadmon said as he unwound some rope he had around his waist. “If you happen to turn the wrong way on the path turn around. Do not linger long. There are chambers in the mountain where the temperature alone can have a deathly chill or searing heat.”
Kedryn helped Cadmon stake the rope and gave an end to Cadmon. Lawler gave Cadmon an untrusting look.
“The drop is only the length of two men. I will drop the rope when I see your torches are lit. May the one God be with you.”
“See you on the flip side.” Kedryn said and put out his torch before he slid down.
When they heard his shout Lawler slid down followed by Niall. They each re-lit their torches and the rope dropped and they looped the rope around themselves. Kedryn picked his foot out of the mud and it made a sickening sucking sound.
“I hate enclosed spaces. It feels like the walls are going to close in on me.” Lawler said as he looked around.
The walls gave off an eerie shine of crimson. Walking out of the small cave they headed out in single file on the only path laid out before them. Kedryn looked up at the spikes or as his mom would correct him stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Some were lightly dripping onto the floor making a clear almost ice like surface making them slip a few times catching each other with the rope.
A double column appeared ahead that seemed to block their path. The closer they got it seemed that the columns were spread apart enough for one person to squeeze through. The torches reflected off of the pillars that were a snowy alabaster and rose to the ceiling in spirals. Kedryn glanced back at everyone and turned almost running into a ghostly white pillar.
“Geesh.” Kedryn said and quickly stepped around the pillar. He noticed the ground felt different and stopped. Moving his torch he saw that it was covered with slush and icy pebbles. “Careful. It seems we have gone from glass to frozen slush.”
“Great. Are you sure he did not trick us into this?” Lawler asked.
“Pretty sure.” Kedryn said as he grabbed his notebook out. “We go straight from here until the fork.”
A sigh escaped from Niall who stopped and the rope jerked bringing Lawler and Kedryn to a halt.
“There a problem?” Kedryn asked.
Niall looked to Lawler. “Yes. Before we go any further I want to know what your problem is with Cadmon. Kedryn trusts him. I trust him. Why not you?”
Lawler jerked the rope forward and Niall didn’t budge. Kedryn stood still in front of him. “Spit it out. Keeping it in doesn’t help a thing.”
Lawler looked from Kedryn to Niall. “Fine. I will make it short.”
Kedryn crossed his arms and gave Lawler a look. “We have all day. Start talking and we start walking.”
Lawler stepped to Kedryn. “Start walking. I will talk.”
Kedryn looked him over, turned and started walking. Lawler was quiet for a minute and Kedryn thought that he wouldn’t say a word.
“The short of it is. My brother fell in love and married a Firbolg. My family was against it and hers was not. My parents gave him enough money for them to buy an Estate. As soon as they were settled in he disappeared. She claimed he was killed with no body to be found and the banshee lives in the estate still.”
“I still do not see what this has to with Cadmon.” Niall said.
“Cadmon is her brother. Their whole race is deceitful. I still think this is a trap.” Lawler kicked a pebble.
“Brother? And the reason he didn’t mention this?” Kedryn asked.
“I had never met him before. He was always off with his father on one diplomatic trip or another before Lord Faolan came to rule. When Eion called him by his last name I knew exactly who he was. I didn’t bother to let him know who I was.”
Kedryn turned to Lawler. “Enough said. We will deal with this later and . . .”
The rope tugged at Kedryn’s waist as Niall suddenly stopped and looked around at the glowing crystals. “Do you hear that?”
“What?” Kedryn asked as they all stood still quietly. He heard tiny tinkling sounds. “I am thinking we should move quickly and quietly.”
Lawler glanced up at the ceiling of glowing spikes above them. “Good idea.”
To pass the time Kedryn told them about where he was from and answered their questions the best he could. It was when he felt his boot slip he stopped. Kedryn lowered his torch and the slush had turned back into a slick iced over ground. He was really thankful that he had his uncle’s military boots on and not his tennis shoes. Raising the torch he noticed his breath was more visible and it was getting colder in the cavern.
“I am going to switch to something heavier.” Niall said as he pulled out his cloak.
Lawler unrolled his fur lined cloak and put it on. Kedryn put down his pack and dug into the bottom and found the heavy lining for his military jacket and some gloves and a beanie. He pulled the hood over his head and glanced at his torch noting that it was getting low.
As they walked around a corner a faint glow was up ahead to the left. The closer they got the brighter the eerie white light became filling the cave.
“We should save the torches.” Kedryn said as he knelt down and rolled his torch at the base of a small dripping formation. It hissed and went out along with the others.
The rope grew loose around Kedryn and he looked back at Lawler.
“I do not believe we will lose each other in the light.” Lawler said as he circled the rope up and put it in his pack.
“How long have we been walking?” Niall asked
“My legs are starting to hurt.” Lawler said as he stretched out.
“It can’t have been too long couldn’t it? I wonder how close we are to the fork.” Kedryn said.
“I say when we all start yawning we get some rest.” Niall said.
They all agreed and walked down the path that was big enough now for the three of them to walk side by side. Kedryn looked up at crystal formation that draped from the ceiling to the floor. It was giving off the eerie yellowish glow that lit the cavern. He picked up a glowing stone and slipped it in his pocket. His mother had talked about the different kinds of formations she had seen in caves. Looking at them he could understand her awe when she described them.
A loud thud sounded through the cavern making Kedryn stop and turn. Niall had hit his toe on a protruding rock loosing his balance. His arm swung out striking heavily on one smaller pillars that wound it’s way off of the floor. A loud bell sound vibrated through the cavern. He grinned at Kedryn and struck the formation again. The bell sound rang through the cavern again and they looked up as tinkling sounds grew louder through cavern.
Lawler went to swing his arm and Kedryn caught it.
“Don’t.” Kedryn said.
“You are right. I do not think that was such a great idea.” Lawler said as he pointed at the ceiling of vibrating cones.
They quickened their pace and were almost past the glowing crystals when the first crash echoed through the cavern.
“Run.” Kedryn yelled as he looked behind them.
They ran trying not to slip of the frozen ground as sharp pointed cones fell to the ground threatening to impale them. Kedryn heard a crack ahead of them and the ceiling started to cave in.
“This way.” Lawler said and jerked Kedryn to the side just in time to avoid a large formation crashing down on them. They ran down a small tunnel holding up their hands to deflect falling rocks. Lawler pulled Kedryn short of the glowing cavern and looked around and realized there were only two of them.
“Where is Niall?” Lawler spun around.
“He was right behind you.” Kedryn said as they ran back from where they came from.
Lawler looked at the wall of rock was before them and gave Kedryn a panicked look. They started pulling large stones away placing them to the side.
“Let’s just work on one side. Maybe we can find a hole.” Kedryn said.
“Ok. Can you hear that?” Lawler said.
They paused and could hear far off crashes that quietly vanished. A yell sounded through the wall of rock.
“Are you hurt?” Kedryn yelled and heard a muffled “No. You?”
Kedryn looked over Lawler and himself and yelled back “No. We have to start digging.”
A cold draft blew across Kedryn’s exposed neck. He shivered and pulled his hood up. When he slowly turned around his curiosity got the better of him.
“I’ll be right back.“ Kedryn said.
Lawler tugged his arm. “There are more important things right now.”
“Just a quick look. There might be a way through.” Kedryn said.
Lawler shook his head and yelled to Niall. “Keep digging. We are going to see if there is another way through and will be right back. He followed Kedryn down the tunnel.
“You can stay and dig.” Kedryn said.
“This is ridiculous but I’m not about to let you get into any trouble.” Lawler said.
When Kedryn got to the mouth of the cave he stopped short. His mouth hung open at the glowing cave a few feet away and let out a laugh.
“What would be so funny?” Lawler said.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Kedryn said as he took a step toward the cave and felt his sleeve being tugged on.
“Look at the frozen man on the ground. I do not think you want to go any further. Lets get back to see if we can dig our way though. Niall might be hurt.” Lawler said as he turned.
Kedryn’s eyes looked at the scatted crystals that lay a few feet away from what appeared to be the frozen remains of a man. He looked to the frozen hand holding a small bag with the tip of a clear green crystal sticking out of it. There was something odd about the man at the mouth of the cave. A closer look revealed that the tall rocks a few feet behind were the other half of his legs. It was as if the top half had broken off in mid stride and he had crashed and slid on the icy floor. The impact must have scattered the crystals that were on the ground.
“Seriously?” Kedryn said as eyed the clear green crystal in the pouch at the man’s side. He cautiously walked up to the closest crystal and picked it up. He could feel the cold through his gloves and placed the crystal in an outside pocket of his pants. The cold was prickling at his skin and he backed off.
“I wonder how cold it is in there. My mother would die if she saw this.”
“She would die if she tried to go in there. We have to get back and start digging. The air is growing colder.” Lawler said as he looked into the massive cathedral like room with criss-crossing crystal pillars reaching the ceiling.
“The Fortress of Solitude.” Kedryn let out a small laugh and
glanced back at the pouch. He remembered his mother talking about a small scale discovery of these type of formations. He didn’t quite believe it was possible on the size and scale he was seeing. He ignored Lawler’s warning and ran up and grabbed the pouch shattering the frozen hand and ran back.
Lawler hit Kedryn on the shoulder. “It is not worth your life. I do not want to have to return to your mother and tell her that you died because of pure idiocy!”
“Sorry. I didn’t think.” Kedryn said as he jumped up and down trying to get the chill off of him. He felt a scratch against his neck and realized the tips of his hair were frozen. He would be lucky if he didn’t have frost bite. He lifted up the crystal and bag and shrugged.
“On the bright side maybe we can find out who that poor man is. At least give his family piece of mind.” Lawler said shaking his head disapprovingly.
A muffled yell sounded down the tunnel and they rushed back. Kedryn studied the pin points of light streaming through and pulled some rocks down.
“I can see light. Keep digging where you are.” He yelled as loud as he could.
“Will do. Just a thought, yelling might not be wise right now.” Niall said.
“Right. Maybe we can get enough cleared for us to squeeze through.” Kedryn said as he moved a rock aside.
Lawler kept shaking his hands as they were digging through the rocks. Kedryn took off his gloves and handed them to him.
“Thanks. What about you?” Lawler put the gloves on.
Kedryn dug through his pack and found a couple of t shirts and he wrapped them around his hands. He held them up. “This should do for now.”
Kedryn picked up a larger rock and set it down. Curious he kicked it to the cave and watched as it rolled. It slowly turned white and he heard it shatter as it must have hit one of the formations.
“I can’t believe anyone was crazy enough to even go in there.” Kedryn said as he thought of the frozen man. “I suppose he was.”
“Yeah. Remember that the next time you have a sudden urge to grab something.” Lawler said as he glanced at the pouch on the floor by Kedryn’s feet.
“Point taken.” Kedryn rubbed his hands together.
A large rock fell in front of them and Niall poked his head through. There was dried blood streaking down from his forehead to his chin. He
noticed Kedryn looking at it.
“It looks worse than it is.” Niall wiped some blood off of his chin.
Kedryn picked up another rock and set it behind them. They were almost through. He tested the hole by shoving his and Lawler’s packs through. “Help me move this one and I think we will be able to crawl through. Age before beauty.”
“Beauty you can have. I’d rather be handsome and get better with age.” Lawler grinned at him and crawled head first through the hole.
“Should have seen that one coming.” Kedryn let out a laugh and glanced back one more time at the crystal cavern and crawled through.
Chapter 23
The doors to the study slammed open making Eion jump. He set the crystal down that he was studying.
“What do I owe the honor of your presence, my lady.” Eion said and watched as she walked up to the desk.
“I found something.” she grinned at Eion and unrolled the scroll over the book he was writing in.
He lifted the scroll to make sure she didn’t smudge what he was writing. “Found what?”
“Possibly another entrance or portal to my world. A connection anyway. If the place exists.”
Eion looked over the scroll and sat back curious. “Children’s tales? Why not just wait until the one in the Druids cave can be re-opened? What led you to these?”
“And risk being followed? It might be safer finding one that they don’t know about.” Lara pushed some hair behind her ear. “I was curious about the name of the castle. It has the same as the Stone of Destiny. Lia Fail is an ancient rock on a hill called Tara in Ireland. I first thought there was a connection but found none.”
“There are other things to be doing than keeping your nose to the dust balls. You have not spent much time with Lady Orla or even Aodhan.”
Lara looked down at her hands and at the scroll on the desk in front of her. “I just.”
Eion reached up and took her hand “Just what?“
“Seeing them reminds me of Kedryn and what he is doing.” Lara sighed and looked up at Eion curious.
Celtic Mist: The Calm Before the Storm (Battle Raven Series) Page 11
