We returned to the base without further difficulties. There Cillian confirmed it was drawing on nightfall. Erin recounted to the others what had happened while Conan and I planned for the morrow.
“And so our contract is ended,” he said with a wry smile, “finding Eric for a map of the third floor, as promised.”
I chuckled, “Yours was the first room I entered on that floor. If each room contains a similar party I’ll never leave the dungeon. Hopefully the others won’t be so demanding.”
His laughter stilled, suddenly serious, “When will you be leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning. As soon as I can. I only have about half my fish remaining,” Conan began to protest, but I cut him off, “Your food is your own, and it needs to last you until I’ve broken the rift on this dungeon. Especially now that you have Eric to feed as well. I’m better suited for living off the land and finding more food. Safer for me to adventure.”
“Already planning on going on your own then?”
“I can see in the dark and my spells are a danger to everyone around me. It is for the best. That said, I’d be honoured to have you join me. You have an eye for traps that I do not.”
Conan shook his head, “You have the right of it. My place is here. Fionn will need someone to look after that eye, and I don’t trust that Eric is as hale as he appears. There is no telling what the warlocks have done to him.”
“And should I take to long, Brace will need someone to find your party food.”
Conan nodded. His gaze wandered away from mine and about the room to land on Erin. He stared at her for a long while before he spoke again.
“She’ll want to go with you.”
“Erin?”
“She’s not one to back down. Her fears are in retreat and she’ll chase them over the horizon if she can.”
I mulled it over. While not useless by any means, she’d yet to prove her worth to me. I’d be bringing her along for her sake more than my own which wasn’t a trade off I could afford to make.
Conan took my silence as a need for elaboration.
“She desires her brother, of course,” my face paled but Conan didn’t seem to notice in the dark, or didn’t understand my expression, and he continued, “But she’s not the kind to cling to someone to prove her desire. It’s enough that he is safe.”
I’d heard about some of the ancient practices of the Delta nobility, but I hadn’t believed them until now. While I was still digesting that particular piece of information Conan grunted in negation.
“No. That’s not the way to explain it. Safe is an overstatement. Rather: She’d leave Eric to fend off a pack of wolves if he wandered off into the woods at night, but not hesitate to... to... well, rescue him from a warlock’s dungeon. She trusts him to choose his own dangers, but will drop everything to aid him against those things out of his control.”
Before I could question the current state of Delta marriage ceremonies, Gunhild interrupted by sitting down beside me. She sat bolt upright, with her back pressed firmly against the wall and her legs straight out in front of her. Nervous, perhaps? By her expression she looked ready to fight.
“Whatever you are planning, I’d like to come with you.”
Conan and I exchanged glances. Erin at least was large for a woman, and had armour and weapons and the knowledge to use them. Gunhild was a waif in a dress.
“You’d be welcome to stay with us. You will be well cared for,” Conan said, “No need to risk yourself in the dungeon.”
Gunhild glared at him, “I’ve practically spent my whole life wandering these dungeons and place like them. I know which mushrooms are safe and which aren’t. Which streams to drink from and which to avoid. My eyes are as sharp as an owl’s. My hearing is like a bat’s. I’d be caring after you.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder consolingly. Gunhild flinched and pressed further back into the wall. Strange. When had our relationship soured? I quickly withdrew my hand. Even more strange was the expression she gave as her eyes followed my retreating hand. Wistful, if anything. Full of regret.
“All the more reason to stay behind,” I said, “I may be gone for quite some time. I’d sleep easy at night knowing you were watching over them.”
Gunhild began to draw her knees up to her chest, then stopped and stuck them straight out again. It was unkind, but it reminded me nothing so much as an adult trying not to behave like a child. Or a child remembering they were trying to appear like an adult.
“Would you still visit me?”
I blinked, at once relieved and even more confused. We we at odds or were we not—was I was a Magus or the teenage boy lost in front of the demon mirror?
“Is everything alright? You withdrew from my touch but a moment ago, and you are acting uncertain. I had thought you were courting me before. Perhaps I was mistaken?”
Gunhild’s eyes widened and she shook her head rapidly, “No! No, everything is fine,” she lowered her head, “I’ve always sat this way. I simply... I am nervous about another’s touch. My back... I’ve received wounds there before. Strikes from those less kind than yourself. I sit this way to protect myself from my own demons, not your touch!”
She grasped my hand in both of her own and continued, “I wish to court you, if you are willing,” her face turned red, almost lost in the dark, “I fear it too soon to say this, but I’d marry you in an instant if I could. I’ve never seen someone with such courage and skill. You saved myself and my sisters twice over in the course of an hour, and rescued poor Eric there as well! And you’re a fantastic dancer. I’ve never felt so safe or so much desire for someone I’ve just met.”
Conan grinned, “As a court eunuch, one of my duties and powers is marrying people. As is the right of nobility, of which we have three just over there,” he nodded over to wear Erin, Brace, and Eric were talking.
I laughed, feeling my own face turn red—green—whatever colour it turned these days, “As if one of the functions of the Magi. We’re spoiled for choice it appears.”
Gunhild smiled uncertainly, “Would you? Marry me? Now and here? A spark of joy in this dark place. Something to hold to in case... in case,” her lip wobbled, “In case you don’t return?”
The sun rose.
Was that a sign? Daybreak signified the start of new things. What it meant to dawn at night, I wasn’t sure. A warning, or a blessing?
I rested my free hand on top of both of hers, “You are a wonderful person. Beautiful. I’ve enjoyed every dance. But I’ve known you for less than a day. I’m sorry. I need to learn more about you. Spend more time with you. If you still wish to.”
Her eyes, which had become downcast, lit up, ‘Then I can come with you?”
Conan shook his head. I’d walked right into that one. There was nothing for it now.
“I would be honoured to have you by my side,” I lifted her hands to my mouth and kissed them, “but please, think on this over the night. We cannot be together if you succumb to the dangers I will face, or if I am distracted by another and fall in turn. If you truly think you will increase our chances of success I’ll believe you, and I’ll be the first to demand you stay by my side. If you do not, I will praise your wisdom, and rest better knowing Conan and Brace and all the others are provided for for as long as I need.”
Gunhild nodded seriously and leaned over to give me a quick peck on the cheek. Her face flushed at her own daring, “I’ll give it due consideration. I promise.”
I smiled at her, “Thank you.”
I stood.
“Erin!” I called out, “A moment, if you will. Eric and Brace as well.”
Erin cut off her conversation with Stovepipe and followed myself and the others out of the room. I’d no doubt the rest of the party could still hear us if they wished, but the illusion of privacy mattered.
“I’m leaving tomorrow,” I said without preamble.
“I’m coming with you,” Erin said, just as abrupt.
Brace put a hand on Erin’s shoulder and shook her head, “It is a man’s right to be alone. To keep the company he wishes.”
I leaned against the wall. I could just make out the dogs’ laughter, faint above the murmuring coming from the room nearby. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Gunhild had no right to follow me, and now I had promised her-
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
What’s done was done. Regret filled me and that was enough. No need to dwell on it.
“In happier times, in safer circumstances, I’d welcome you to join me,” I said, “But the traps of the warlock are many, and I cannot divide my attention providing for us both.”
“You wouldn’t-”
I cut her off, “At the speeds I plan to be going, at the paths I plan to take, I would. The dungeon is dark and you cannot see. My lights would not be enough. Dividing your party’s limited torches further would be unfair to them.”
I could have continued. Given her more reasons not come, but already my explanation—which I felt I owed her—was turning into a justification—which I did not.
Tears formed in Erin’s eyes, glittering red specks in the torchlight, but her voice was firm, “Very well.”
I wish it were otherwise. I nearly said the words, but caught myself. They’d be of little comfort to anyone but myself.
“Thank you,” I said instead.
Her lips tightened. She nodded. Nothing more.
“When do you leave?” Brace asked.
“I’ll be gone in the morning after recording my spells.”
“Will we see you again?”
“I’ll return as able. Hopefully with news of a way out of here.”
“How long will it take you?”
I frowned, “It’s taken me weeks to make it to the start of the third floor. Would have been a week or two quicker had I not stopped to look for Eric,” I tossed the man a reassuring smile, “not that I regret a moment of it—only to say things will hopefully move quicker now, especially with my new maps. But it may take several months still. The dungeon is large and the caverns below them may be larger.”
Brace chewed on her lip, “We have about two months supply remaining. If we start rationing now, maybe we can extend it a few more weeks, provided we can find water.”
“I know a place,” Conan said.
Brace nodded, “So two and a half months if we’re lucky. Maybe more if we—or Gunhild—can scrounge for food.”
“Gunhild might be finding food for me. She has ‘til the morning to make her decision. I’ll do my best to find a path before the two months is up.”
Brace slashed her hand in negation, “Do what you must. We’ll look after ourselves. I’m merely thinking out loud.”
“Now, please don’t think me me rude, but must prepare a final spell before bed.”
“Do what you must,” Brace repeated.
***
Lesser Heal II. Lesser Heal III. Lesser Heal V. Lesser Heal VI. Heal. Heal III.
Heal IIII: The caster’s body heals 355 hours’ worth of injuries over the course of an hour.
I was fairly certain by this point my wounds wouldn’t have healed without the aid of my magic. Even now, after all the many spells I’d cast, including the latest which provided over two weeks of healing in an hour, the wounds remained. They’d been reduced to two hard ridges just below my collar bone on either side of my chest. The area was no longer puffy, but still looked pale and stretched. The ridges themselves were nearly white and pulled tight whenever I moved my arms.
They were still sensitive too, but I was less surprised about that. I’d know a woman who had slept with her arm pressed against the hearth stones on a cold winter night. She’d lived, fully recovered even, but for a year afterward she’d complain about how the sun burned against her arm.
Perhaps on the morrow.
I returned to the base where the others had already gone to sleep. I found my usual corner to lay down. The moment my eyes closed I was asleep, and visions of albatross flew over the forests of my dreams.
***
I woke with the sun.
The others had woken before me, eager to see me off.
I begged off their ministrations until I had fed and watered, and taken care of business in a far corner of the dungeon.
I took my time in returning. Opting to cast Swordferno before I did so. Blades lashed about me and fireballs danced as I made my slow way back. My journey was unimpeded; my foes either blind to the flashing lights and scrapping swords, or in fear of them.
Swordferno II: Fourteen invisible blades dance and strike with the base force of 484 lbs. Four for half an hour, six for 45 minutes, and four more for an hour. Four fireballs join them, one twice as hot as the others. Four lights, bright as candles, swirl about them, rising into existence just before the blade appears for the first time and dying an hour after it vanishes. Two more lights join in at the end of the first hour, and end an hour after the first lights fade, providing 3 hours of light total. All move independently following the whims of their master.
I could have chosen a different name now that I was no longer under the pressure of fighting off a horde of rats while simultaneously trying to control half a dozen spells at once, but if it wasn’t broke, why fix it?
The final flourish of my spell was written in the room of the goblin midden.
I took the opportunity to head back up the stairs and refill my waterskin from the stream of my prison, and grab my box of fish with the Levitate spell upon my return.
I was among friends half an hour later. They’d finished their own breakfast and were talking quietly, waiting for me.
Gunhild was the only who didn’t look at me as I entered. She sat deep in thought in a corner, eyes downcast and lips moving wordlessly.
Conan was the first to approach me.
“All set?”
I headed over to my corner and retrieved my bindle.
“I am now.”
Conan put a hand on the shoulder opposite my bindle and spoke in a low voice, “Listen, whatever Gunhild decides, you don’t have to take her. You shouldn’t take her. You’re liable to get one of you killed.”
I patted the hand with my free hand, “I’m sure it will be fine. She’s looked after herself until now. I’ll find a use for her. Besides, I said she could come. I’m not one to go back on my word.”
Conan gave a growl of frustration and moved closer so his lips were nearly touching my ear, “Please be careful, Oswic. Don’t let desire blind you. I pray that I am wrong, but I’ve seen too many men fall to a pretty face. I don’t deny your judgment. I just ask you be doubly sure of it.”
My first instinct was to reject his words. I’d chased after women before, of course. Foolishly. Pathetically. But I’d never abandoned my senses when life and death was on the line. Had I? Perhaps some daring feat of bravery? Or a stunt designed to prove myself? Even if I had, never had the danger been so stark. Beyond that, I was no longer a child, nor even a young man.
An adult trusted himself. But he also listened to his friends. That was why they were his friends. I didn’t have to agree, just tolerate the possibility. No woman had ever been as enchanting as Gunhild. And who better than a eunuch to see a man falling for his desires?
“Alright. I’ll see that reason doesn’t become justification.”
Conan let out a breath and a smile, “Thank you.”
Together we joined the others, his words still ringing in my ears. I’d be watching, both Gunhild and myself. Just in case.
The sun rose.
It would have to wait.
“You’re off then,” Stovepipe stated. He didn’t ask.
“I am. Hopefully to return with good news in short order.”
“You take your time. You hear me? Better it take you three months than a day if it means you’re not risking all of us being stuck here. Don’t worry about us. We’ll make do as long as we need to.”
“And we mean it,” Brace added, “one week, three weeks, four months, two years, I don’t care,” she threw a wink to Erin who made a face, “We’ll find a way to pass the time.”
Eric made a face nearly as fast as his sister.
Fionn and Tadhg both gave me nodding salutes, “You take care of yourself. We’ve got some sights to show you once we’re out of here,” Tadhg said, “I’ve got a friend with a place right at the tip of The Delta. You’ve never seen something so beautiful.”
Cillian grasped my hand in a shake, then pulled me in for a brief hug in the manner of the Delta people. Thankfully I was prepared for it, and was able to avoid the worst of the pain. Stovepipe did the same and then it was Eric and the two girls. Eric threw his arms around me in a full hug while his sister kissed my cheeks.
“I’ll never forget your help, wizard. Should you ever want for a place to stay, come to house Ó Briain and I swear you will be well looked for. And you must visit us as well. You will always have a place in our home.”
Erin joined in the hug, resting her head between her brother’s and my own. Their were tears in her eyes, tracking down my cheek and onto my shoulder, “Thank you for saving my brother. To think we would have killed you but for chance when we first met. To think I feared your blessed magic. The Sun watched over us even in the depths of this desolate place. You’ve done me and mine a greater service than you’ll ever know, then we can ever repay.”
The twins eventually released me and then it was Brace’s turn to embrace me. She was more formal, more reserved, offering me the handshake-hug much like Cillian had.
“We’d have been dead twice over if it weren’t for you. First the goblins, and then Erin told me about the bees. House Ó Riain also stands in your debt.”
Finally it was Gunhild before me. Beautiful, petite, demur. Her eyes we bright, determined, and fixed on my own.
“Have you decided?” I asked.
She nodded her words coming out in a rush; all at once, “I’m coming with you. I won’t take no for an answer. I’ve seen you talking with Conan. I’m no fool. I’ll follow you if I have to. If they try to restrain me, I’ll refuse to eat until they let me go. I’m stronger than I look. I can find food and water. I’m good in the dark,” (Brace snorted), “I grew up in the- I’ve spent my life foraging in caves. I can use a weapon. I know how to set-”
I wrapped my arms around her, pressing her head and shoulders to my chest, “You’re coming with me.”
She stiffened and ducked out under my grasp, pulled away, but when she looked up at me she was smiling.
Behind her, I could just make out Conan frowning, but he didn’t say anything. I gave him a small nod and he started, forgetting I could see him the dark. His advice was well heeded, but my judgment was my own. Two sets of eyes could spot traps one set might miss. Another person to talk to would help keep me sane in the endless dark. And she could look out for sudden shifts in personality besides. I’d run into enough dark influences and mind control at this point.
Erin dashed back to her side of the room and returned with her club. She proffered it to Gunhild, “Take this, you’ll need it more than me.”
“And what of your feet?” Stovepipe asked, “You have no shoes.”
She smiled at him, “You are very kind, but it is as I said before, my feet are tough and calloused like leather. I only borrowed Brace’s to put your heart at ease and get us moving back to join with Oswic.”
Stovepipe shook his head with a chuckle, “Very well,” he looked up at me, “I know that our gods are not your own, but I ask that The Ibis go with you. He is the god of wisdom and magic. It feels fitting.”
“And The Sun,” said Brace, “I know Magi worship him in their own way.”
I bowed to both, “My thanks to both of you. May wind and water ever stir at your step.”
It was time at last to descend once more.