Sixteen
Whether it was an act or Hester really did feel better, she was acting her usual self by the time Gordon Mackenzie appeared. The sorcerer looked tired – doubtless he’d had to leave Edinburgh in the wee hours to get here – and Hester wasted no time commenting on his lack of fizzing energy.
Despite his yawns and her typically impolite commentary, there was a glint of steely determination in his eye. Gordon might not know the details but he understood that our venture into Smoo Cave was of the utmost importance. He’d been at the Royal Elvish Institute; he’d seen the danger Athair presented with his own eyes.
I gave him a quick hug and, to my surprise, Hugo did the same. Once upon a time he could barely look directly at Gordon; now, with the matter of Lady Rose resolved and their past differences smoothed over, he was genuinely happy to see him. I knew that Hugo felt tremendous guilt about his past actions, and he’d discussed them at length with Gordon and me, but if we didn’t make mistakes we’d never learn.
‘It’s a good thing you checked with me first before you tried to get into the hidden caves again,’ Gordon said. ‘The rune was re-sealed after your last visit.’
He gave a sombre nod; he was well aware of what had happened last time. Hugo had found the key that was part of Sir Nigel’s treasure hunt for the Loch Arkaig gold and I’d fallen into a dark chasm where I’d met the Fachan. The ancient one-eyed man had challenged me to a fight. When I’d not lived up to his expectations as an opponent, he’d taken pity on me, granted me Gladys to aid my future endeavours and shown me another way out of the caves. I had been very, very lucky.
‘Are you truly ready to return?’ Gordon asked.
Hugo didn’t answer; instead he looked at me. I didn’t have any spider’s silk to help me this time.
I curled my hands into fists, allowing myself to enjoy the flare of momentary pain as my fingernails dug into the soft flesh of my palms and nodded, mentally girding my loins for what was to come. I’d been into the dark bowels of this cave before; I could do it again.
‘Alright,’ Gordon said. ‘In that case, let’s get this show on the road.’
We walked in single file along the well-worn path until the small beach with its softly lapping waves and the mouth of Smoo Cave were visible. There was nothing scary about the first section of the cave and I could easily keep my claustrophobia at bay. There was plenty of space in the large cavern and, as it was a popular tourist attraction, there was even a helpful wooden walkway to guide us inside.
‘It’s fine,’ I said. ‘It’s all fine.’
Hugo shot me a quick glance and checked my expression before smiling. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘It is.’
From his position on my right shoulder, Otis gave me a reassuring pat. From her position on my left, Hester snorted.‘For goodness sake. Keep yourself together!’ Then she leaned more closely into my ear and lowered her voice. ‘All you’re doing is visiting an old friend. Nothing more, nothing less.’
I breathed out. We kept on walking.
Within minutes we’d reached the end of the first network of caves and were gazing down at the murky pool of black water. Hidden from view beneath its surface was an old rune that was locked to protect the way ahead.
I eyed the water for several seconds, then turned away to prepare myself. To get to the deeper caves – and closer to the Fachan – we would have to swim.
Hester and Otis secured themselves in my waterproof bag, where Gladys was already waiting, and I stripped down to my underwear. I stepped to the edge of the dark water. Hugo and I had already discussed this: when you were nervous, there was nothing worse than having to wait. Anticipation was not always your friend. To that end, he’d agreed that I should take the lead and be the first to plunge in.
I gripped an underwater torch, double-checked that the bag was secure on my shoulders and allowed my toes to dip in the icy water. Cumbubbling bollocks: it was freezing.
Gordon was already working on the rune, drawing one of his own in the air beside us. As soon as it was complete, he nodded. The underwater rune glowed green and there was a faint rumble followed by ripples across the surface of the water. The passageway was open. It was time to go.
‘I’ll see you on the other side,’ Hugo told me. ‘Wait for me.’
Of course I’d wait – I wasn’t going anywhere in that cave without him. I simply smiled and then I jumped in.
The rush of cold water, not to mention the darkness, was more disorientating than I remembered. I could feel my heart pounding hard in my chest, and for a moment panic overtook me and I had no idea which way was up. Then the glow of mytorch highlighted the rising bubbles and I caught the green light emanating from the open rune. There: the passageway was right there.
I twisted in the icy water and swam as fast as I could, thrusting my head through the narrow gap and then the rest of my body. I kicked hard as my lungs started to burn. Before panic overcame me, I was out of the tunnel and swimming upwards. My head broke the water’s surface and I gasped for air.
That hadn’t been so bad.
I quickly swam to the side and hauled myself out. I was shivering violently so I didn’t waste any time. I dropped my bag onto the rocky cave floor, opened it up and took out another torch to illuminate the area for Hugo.
Hester and Otis flew out while I grabbed a towel to rub myself down and I muttered at them to move behind me before I conjured up two small fireballs. Their magical light outshone both battery-powered torches.
I glanced around the cavern and double-checked that nothing had changed since my first visit. By the time I was satisfied, Hugo was emerging from the water. I offered him my hand and helped him out.
‘I’d say it’s good to be back,’ he drawled, shaking off most of the water before opening his own bag to take out a towel and some clothes. ‘But I’d definitely be lying.’
I grimaced in agreement. ‘Let’s hope that the Fachan is currently in residence and we’re not here for too long,’ I said, also pulling on a set of warm, dry clothes.
