[Raleigh]
Almost deceptively, our boat is starting to slow down. My knuckles must be white, no one on board moves as we drift through the huge inner chamber of the mountain. Even in the dim light, I can see the ruined remains of what used to be a huge stone hall. In Caladhburn, Thrak had warned us that no matter what we must remain silent within the cursed mountain. Through the timbers beneath my feet I can feel the gradual deceleration of our boat, according to Thrak, this is the breathing of the mountain, whatever that means. The smell of rot and decay permeates the air, even breathing through the fabric of my tunic I cannot rid my nose of the foul stench. Our forward momentum has slowed to a halt, but we are starting to get dragged sideways. I cast my glance to Edward, unsure whether I should be afraid. He looks at me with eyes just as confused as mine must look. As we approach the centre of the cavern, the world becomes brighter and suddenly we can see the water around the boat, black and whirling fast, We. Are. Being. Sucked. Into. A. Gigantic. Whirlpool. Instead of looking downward, I look up. Our boat is directly below a hole in the mountain, rimmed by gigantic glass crystals that stretch down toward the water, each reflecting beams of the sun that now glares down through the cracked mountain. Immediately after a ray of light touches the centre of the whirlpool, a hideous screech like the sound of boiling water, but many times louder, erupts from the water and reverberates around the room. Due to our proximity to hellish noise, I can’t do anything but scream from the pain. My ears feel like they will explode. Even as the noise slowly dies, they continue to ring painfully. I struggle to the side of the boat to throw up. As I lean against the rail and heave over the side I look down into the black void. No light pierces the water. Yet somehow I get the distinct feeling that something moves just below the surface. I want to tear myself away from the water, but I can’t bring myself to. Without warning a huge yellow eye snaps open. Black in the centre. Larger in diameter than the mayor's feast table. So ancient and terrifying my voice falters completely. I can't move, I can’t scream, I can only stare into the dark pupil of the horrifying creature.
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“The water is reversing! We are getting pushed towards the mountain. We HAVE to find the exit or we are going to get smashed on the rocks!” Yells Edward from the helm.
“Look! Edward, starboard (right), there's our way out!” Shouts Garfil.“The light shines a way!” says Garfil, chuckling in surprise.
“The light shines a way!” Laughs Ed. “Just like Thrak said.”
“Indeed.”
As we speed away from the centre of the pool, I look back, where oily black tentacles, like giant snakes, race silently after us. Emerging from the water, is a monstrous black squid, with a huge yellow eye. I can’t help but feel like it is looking into me still.