This story began life as an entirely different tale. For copyright reasons the original story is unpublishable, but I liked the basic plot and as it was a waste not to use it, I rewrote the story. Setting the action in a completely different environment, and adjusting the characters ensures that virtually nothing of the source is evident. What is here is mine, but inspired by something else. Any similarity to other characters and stories is a humble homage.
  In this extract, an acolyte, a dwarf and a wolf are travelling through a tunnel to act upon information that has been smuggled to them by a spy.


  Marcus had never known a darkness so intense. Because dwarves had a gift for seeing in the dark and so did not carry torches within their tunnels, he had agreed to travel without light. He had not thought that this would be a problem, and indeed it had been quite easy following Kasha. The tunnels were well constructed and the dwarf would tell Marcus when there was a turn coming or a change in the floor level. The problem stemmed from Marcus being effectively blind.
  He found it very unsettling not being able to see anything, yet to have his eyes wide open. He could feel; the walls of the tunnel on either side of him; the roof just above his head; Ranger lolloping beside him. But robbed of his sight, he felt vulnerable and helpless. If Kasha were not there to guide him, he would not be able to find his way out and would wander the tunnels until he died.
  This thought scared Marcus more than he expected. To never again see light, or feel the wind on his face, or hear anything other than his own voice.
  It was at this point that Marcus realised that Kasha had not spoken for a while. Was the dwarf still in front of him? Or had he missed a turn? He stopped to listen. There was nothing except the thump of his heart getting rapidly louder and pounding in his ears. The silence and darkness were complete, enveloping him in an embrace that he could not escape. The darkness was suffocating and he could not get enough air however much he gulped. As he fought for breath, the pounding in his ears changed to a roaring.
  "Kasha?"
  Marcus gasped out the cry, but perhaps the dwarf was too far away to hear. He could not stand the darkness pressing in on him. He had to get out, away from the tunnel. He had to escape.
  There was no escape.
  "Kasha!"
  "I am here Marcus."
  Marcus felt the dwarf take his hand and he gripped it like a lifeline. Panic stricken, he managed to speak.
  "I can't breathe!"
  "You are not suffocating." Kasha said firmly. "There is plenty of air. Just breathe slowly. In. And out. In. And out."
  Marcus forced himself to concentrate on Kasha's calm repetition. He breathed in time with the words and his panic subsided as he told himself that he was not going to die. He loosened his grip on Kasha's arm.
  "Good." the dwarf said. "You are suffering from tunnel sickness. It is common among your people, but you will be fine if you can remain clam."
  "I felt a great need to escape the tunnel." Marcus explained.
  "That is because you are not used to the confinement. I have never been lost in these tunnels and I will lead you out."
  Kasha placed Marcus' hand onto his shoulder so that he could feel that the dwarf was there at all times. They began walking again.
  "Kasha?" Marcus asked nervously.
  "Yes?"
  "Can we return to the castle above ground?"
  "Of course."

Back              Home                Next