Chapter 4 Part 14

Tyson was very pleased with himself. He had managed to have his cake and eat it too. He had disposed of Seymore. If his friends returned home, his homeworld's healers would be able to restore his one time friend. Even Seymore would not know what had happened in the darkness.

Now, however, he walked quickly down the mine pushing the statue-like form of Seymore in front of him. The corps floated in mid air because within the blue glow, Ultrecht had explained, time stood still. Therefore, gravity could not effect Seymore and his body was weightless.

As they walked further into the very bowels of the mountains, Tyson's mind worked quietly on how to arrange another death. Keeneye was leading the way with Samson who was holding a light torch. The flames showed Norwind and Ultrecht the direction of the breeze they followed. After them came Armegon who was helping Marlena, while Avery and Tyson brought up the rear.

Tyson knew that his best shot at staging another death would be during a battle in the dark. But, since Avery was also carrying a light crystal, the chance of both light sources going out at the same time were small.

Tyson was also disturbed with the sudden change of marching order. Normally, the ranger would lead the group and the archer would bring up the rear. But for some reason they had decided to switch places. He would have to be careful. They may suspect him of treachery.

Keeneye led the group quietly. At each intersection, Samson would hold out the torch and Keeneye would determine which direction the breeze came from. This was the direction they would take.

The only other sound than their footsteps was the sound of Norwind's voice. He was counting the number of steps they were making between intersections, while Ultrecht made a graphical record of side tunnels, their direction and the number of steps Norwind had counted between them. Ultrecht was also using a piece of chalk to mark their passage at regular intervals. They all knew that this would make it easy for them to be tracked, but they had agreed it was more important not to get lost.

The mine itself was littered with debris and old pieces of wood. Occasionally, they would arrive upon a pick handle or cart. Once they passed a skeleton of some unknown miner ages ago, long dead. Armegon had said that it appeared to be the skeleton of a dwarf. That particular only reminded them that they had already lost two of their number and renewed the determination of the whole company.

After about six hours of walking, some members of the group were beginning to show signs of fatigue. Keeneye had used up four torches and the sound of growling stomachs was readily heard. Keeneye immediately called a rest stop at a fork in the tunnel. "The breeze comes equally strong from both tunnels," he announced.

"They probably merge together farther ahead," Samson said looking down one.

"Samson is probably right," Ultrecht said after glancing at his map. "Our general direction has been southward with minor deviations. If Norwind's scale and count are accurate, we have covered over five miles underground. These mines should turn westward soon."

"Not right now," Marlena gasped. "I have got to rest." It was obvious to all that the quick march had taken a heavy toll on Marlena. Even though she had been leaning heavily on Armegon for the last few thousand paces.

"Okay, we rest," announced Keeneye. "Armegon, you pull out your light crystal, and Samson you put out the torch. We only have a few left."

Tyson sat down to rest and pushed Seymore's body to the ground to keep it out of the air currents. He did not want it to blow away. Others did likewise by unlatching their packs.

"Do you think we are being followed?" Norwind asked.

"Oh, most assuredly," Armegon answered. "The question is how far ahead of our enemies are we?"