WEEK EIGHT - THE EXPEDITION
SECONDAY
Rather than being an adventure the Expedition was proving to be routine to the point of humdrum. The only thing that had changed in the seven days of travelling was that a new tree type was now prominent amongst the whintox and miscal of the valley slopes. Having caught up with the bulk of the group on GodDay our pace had slowed somewhat. My detailed observation had become an exercise in detailed boredom, though it was with a sense of relief that Wi-Su was able to disappear into the crowd and Father returned to being closer to his normal self. He once again began to treat me with his normal affection and warmth, to talk with me as we rode, educating and discussing, and when we were sleeping embracing and loving me with the intensity to which I had been accustomed. I welcomed this. Father organised that our tent was set up apart from the bulk, which formed almost a little village each time we stopped. With field workers to cook and wash, guardsmen to sit around and gripe as well as to help with tent erection and wood collection, we formed a group of some fifty souls. In truth I wondered what we were likely to meet that would need so much manpower, but Father would give nothing away and just said it was precautionary.
With the distraction of the large group, with someone seemingly always coming to ask for advice as we rode along, Father also became less possessive of me, allowing me to mingle more. On one occasion I had managed to ride side by side with Do-Si. He was his usual cheerful self.
"Good morning m'Lord. It is nice to have your company once again." This latter was said somewhat cheekily and was followed with, after a careful check that no one was in earshot, a quiet, "Though my arse sure misses you."
"Thankyou, Do-Si. I miss you also. You can probably imagine that now I share a tent with Father that not a lot of "activity" is available to me."
"Now, m'Lord, I'm not going to say that I am missing out on "activity", as you put it. This Wi-Su has proved to not be such a bad old stick. With no one to watch on he has become quite amorous. He likes to hug, to kiss. He won't put my little lizlion in his mouth but his loving is not bad otherwise. He ain't rough, neither, not like that first day in the pool. He's even taken to sleeping with me in his arms by his side so I don't have to sleep no more in the draughty foyer, though I do have to sneak back before daylight so we ain't caught."
"I'm pleased, Do-Si. I thought it might have been a front for my sake, especially after what you told me. His heart seems very gentle, which doesn't fit with that rough fa‡ade he was presenting." I hoped that the pain that Do- Si's narration caused me was hidden from my voice. I was missing Wi-Su very much, but speaking to Do-Si was as close as I dared approach. Even with the greater number of distractions that Father had to tolerate in the large group I felt that he never truly let me out of his sight.
This scrutiny of all I did puzzled me. Father had always encouraged me to have sex with others, still gave me opportunities to make love with Yue-Sin, but anything that referred to Wi-Su triggered such caustic comments that I rapidly leant to not make any reference to the town engineer, and to very pointedly avoid all contact with him. I wondered what Wi-Su was thinking of this, as I was sure that he would not suspect the origin of Father's treatment of him. I hoped his position would not be in jeopardy on our return.
"Yeh, he's a real strong lover. Not every night, mind you, but when he does he goes on forever. He loves me like a woman, not like other men treat me. Other's just want to cum and get as far away as they can, as if I could cause them damage. Not Wi-Su. Even after he cums, which takes forever, he stays in me and holds me tight."
"Does he talk about me, Do-Si?"
"Does he talk about you! Never stops. Always he is saying that he must remember to tell you this, that he wants to show you something, to ask your opinion. He has a very high respect for you, m'Lord. Almost as much as me, and I love you more than anyone in the world."
"Thankyou Do-Si."
In the afternoon of the SeconDay of the second week of the Expedition we arrived at the tunnel mouth. The opening was perfectly symmetrical, an arch without fault, taller than three men. How this could have been cut from solid rock evaded me. The ancient one's might and power was overwhelming. But where did they go? Were they the people of The One, who left the planet after they tired of its pleasures? Father ordered camp to be set up a little distance away from the entrance, and for a roof to be erected over one of the carts that from the beginning of the trip had not been touched. When it was protected from the light summer rain the cover was removed, revealing its cargo. Torches, in numbers that almost overflowed the capacity of the sides of the cart. Father decided that the first entry would not be until the following day, so as it could be observed if anything entered or left the tunnel.
With the rest of the afternoon free Father and I explored the immediate surrounds. The river still flowed, slimmer, younger than I knew it, but still too wide to comfortably cross. The permanent road entered the tunnel, leaving light for dark. The tunnel was cut into a large sheer wall of rock, a cliff that had run on our left hand for almost all of our last day of travel. Upstream was flood plain and bush, but the cliff stopped soon after. Lizrabs were present in their usual abundance, and it appeared that lizlions existed in great numbers for the barricade of skins left from the transformation of lizrab from its larval state had been scattered into near non- existence. I suggested we climb up to see what was above the tunnel, but Father said that it was too high and far.
"But if something goes wrong we may need to return by another way than the tunnel," I said, explaining my thoughts.
"Hm," was all he said in reply.
The valley wall was quite high at this point, higher than it had appeared anywhere else on our way, but it did not look as though it would be difficult to climb. Carts and horses would not be able to follow, which would make it an escape route of last resort, but not one that should be ignored. However, he did not seem in any mood to discuss it, so I left the topic as it was, a planted seed. And turned my attention to other things. The tree that now dominated the bush was taller than whintox and its long strappy leaves formed a broader umbrella, tinged a deeper red. A few miscal still survived at the fringe, but looked sickly and pallid, leaves dragging on the ground instead of being sprightly lifted. Whintox was nowhere to be seen. Nothing was in flower, and I'm sure it was cooler.
That night a party was thrown in honour of the success of the first stage of the expedition. A pig was slaughtered and placed on a skewer over a pit of coals, vegetables were roasted, rice wine opened. After eating there was dancing and story telling, Father starting this with a long telling of the tale of Xen-Li and the giant lizlion. I think he was trying to instil courage into the men, who felt themselves a long way from home and about to face unknown danger. Hi-Tui took advantage of the general distraction, especially of Father, to lead me away in the darkness outside the edge of camp. His first word was a kiss, passionate and long, followed by a quick disrobing and rapid sex. It appeared he was releasing the pent sexual energy stored during the entire journey in one rapid explosion. Having been sometime without seeing or feeling it, I again found myself amazed by the size of his lizlion, its commanding presence. Once his composure was recovered he began to talk.
"Sorry my love," was how he began. "That has been awaiting you for a long time, and it is too dangerous to spend much time."
"I understand," I replied.
"Thankyou. But there's something even more important than this in my motive for pulling you aside." He stopped, cocking an ear at the silence over the camp, obviously feeling fear at being discovered talking with me. Then Father's voice came again, and he relaxed. "I think your friend Wi-Su is in some danger. I don't know what you have with him nor what he has done to upset the Lord, but your father has clearly indicated to myself and Yue-Sin that on our return home Wi-Su is to be taken into custody."
"Custody. What for?" I almost cried out.
"Lord Srotyr has given no reason. But he talks of Wi- Su as he would talk of a murderer."
"I see. But he has not given any indication that he will do anything prior to our return."
"No. I think he wants his building ability available in case of need. There is no one else with us who could replace him in this."
"Okay. Thankyou Hi-Tui. Where do you stand in this?"
"I think that is clear, my Lord, otherwise I would not be telling you this. I have known Wi-Su for many years. He is a honourable and good man. I can't think of anything he would do that was wrong enough to deserve the punishment that appears to be awaiting him."
"Other than winning the love of his only son," I said quietly.
Hi-Tui whistled softly. "Yep, that would do it."
I hastily continued, "Not that I don't love you, Hi- Tui, or Yue-Sin."
"No, Cavon, I understand. You love us, but Lord Srotyr knows that it is the love of sex, of life. He knows he holds first place in your affection. Did you tell him what you feel for Wi-Su?"
"No. Apparently I didn't need to. Wi-Su is such a good, intelligent man. And he doesn't love me like my Father does, he loves me like a true father, like you love your daughter."
"That is probably what the Lord does not like. Having his sin highlighted in such a way."
"Sin?" I asked.
"I have touched this before, but bowed to my superior. Generally though it is considered a sin to love one's children in a physical sense."
"But Wi-Su doesn't know about Father and I!"
"No. It would not even enter his head. But guilt is a powerful thing, and those suffering sometimes know that all know of their wrongdoing. But let's get back before we have been noticed."
We had comfortably recovered our positions at the back of the group before Father reached the climax of his story. Seemingly not noticing that I had been absent he joined me as music started up and the men began to dance. "Shall we retire and leave the men to their pleasures. They will be more relaxed feeling that their activities are not being scrutinised?"
"Of course." But my heart was truly heavy. I felt the need for time alone, to absorb this new information. Was what Hi-Tui told me true? If it was or wasn't its content was treasonous. But my knowledge of Hi-Tui was that he was a man without jealousy, a man who cared for his fellow beings. I suspect that what he told me was true, and was said with the only intention of helping save Wi-Su. "That would be wonderful."
Father was a little drunk, and keen on making love. Distracted as I was I could not let him feel any difference in me, so I did my best to switch off and capture my feeling of old. Not that it was too difficult, as his powerful, hairy body drew a response from me that was beyond reason. I found myself kissing with abandon, running fingers through his fur, nipping his nipples, sucking on his balls and taking his rice wine softened lizlion into my mouth. On his part he did the same, seemingly exploring my whole body with his mouth then kneeling and asking me to soften his arse with my tongue before fucking him. It was our first fuck since he had returned from his trip, and his moaning and exclamations complemented the sensation my matured dick felt in his arse. I assume he believed that the noise of the party would cover our activity. Despite having cum in Hi- Tui's mouth I managed to cum twice more, though the second was achieved remembering Wi-Su kneeling in front of me pushing his dick into the mouth of Do-Si. Afterwards, held in Father's arms with his regular breathing fanning my neck, I lay awake wondering what I was going to do.
THIRDAY
A small group of four were to be the first to enter the tunnel. Father had insisted that Wi-Su, with his maturity and understanding of rocks, was to the leader of this four. They were to enter on foot, armed, each with a torch and a sword. Father sent me away, saying that he did not want me near the tunnel mouth if something dangerous was to come out. He told me to pick someone and explore above the cave as I had suggested the previous day. I was worried for Wi- Su. I had no doubt the ancient one's had built this tunnel, and that they were not a danger any longer, but what if a giant lizlion had taken up residence in its depths and did not appreciate being disturbed. Four did not seem enough to offer a defence, and with my new knowledge I suspected that Father hoped he would rid himself of Wi-Su without having to do anything active. I had no option but to obey, so I decided that I had to make the best of it, assume that Wi-Su was going to survive, and try to achieve something from this opportunity to get out of Father's hearing. I decided on Do- Si, being the one who had closest contact with Wi-Su, but giving the reasons that he was young, fit, agile, and a good swordsman who would be able to defend me well if necessary. Father approved of my logic, and showed no concern that I would spend my time away fucking Do-Si, even though he well knew his proclivity from first hand experience.
We rode until we were a fair distance from camp and the cliff had become a broken slope, tethered the horses near a small stream with water and feed, then climbed up. The valley wall was quite steep as well as heavily wooded, and soon our only knowledge of direction was up and down. We could have moved a hundred or a thousand paces laterally from where the horses waited. All was the same. With no sign of any change in our surrounds I called a halt when we came across a broad rock ledge that provided a place to sit and rest. My fitness, that had increased rapidly with my walks with Wi-Su, had fallen away again after so many days a horse, and my legs were experiencing once again the familiar trembling.
Do-Si laughed as he watched his own trembling legs, then with his familiar twinkle asked if I didn't think there was something better we could be doing than exhausting ourselves climbing this never ending hill.
"There could be," I replied, "but I think I might need a moment to recover to enjoy it."
"Granted. One moment."
Then he was on me, releasing his pent up emotion for me. When we had finished, resting in each others arms, face to face, mouths all but touching, I commenced the first step in my attempt to save Wi-Su. To bring Do-Si on board to help.
"Do-Si," I began.
"Yes, my love," he murmured.
"I have something to say that must remain a secret, guarded with your life."
"I hold many secrets in my heart, my love. But yours I'll keep extra safe."
"I know you have a soft spot for Lord Srotyr ."
"I don't know about a soft spot, m'Lord," he interrupted, becoming seemingly serious. "Unless you want to call my horny arse a soft spot!"
"Good. I suppose your arse is a soft spot, but not the type I was referring to. What I am to tell you is treasonous."
"Can a Lord utter treason?"
"I am not the Lord, only his son. His son can utter treason. Father has decided that he wants Wi-Su dead," I continued bluntly.
An indrawn breath of surprised was Do-Si's response to this statement. "So that is why he was sent into the tunnel?"
Do-Si impressed me. He was more perspicacious than I thought. "Exactly. And if he survives this he will be set other dangerous tasks, and if he survives all these he will be imprisoned and tried on his return home."
"But what has he done to deserve this?"
Here I hesitated. Not so much for fear of expressing my emotion for Wi-Su, but rather for the deeper origins of Father's wrath. I decided not to enter into these, to stay with something simple.
"Do-Si, I love Wi-Su."
"Really," he expressed, wide eyed. Then with his sparkle and grin, "More'n me?"
"Different to you. I love him as a father. And that is the problem. My Father, Lord Srotyr, is jealous of this love."
"You told him?!"
"No, but he could see it on his arrival in the valley. I didn't think of hiding it. Though I never said anything."
"That is terrible. But don't you love your father? And why tell me?"
"I do love Father. But he is the Lord, which makes everything different. I love him I think more than most sons love their fathers, but he doesn't see that. And I am telling you because I want you to help Wi-Su escape his fate. Stay by his side to protect him. You are a good swordsman, and you know he is very weak. And stay in contact with me so we can find a way to help him escape. I assume Father will think that anytime we spend apart from the group will be for the purpose of making love. He will think this is natural, and will not think we are conspiring."
"Of course. I feel like you. I love Wi-Su like a father also, not that he treats me like a father," he said, emphasising his ever-present twinkle. "Shall I tell him?"
"Yes. He already suspects, and he keeps as far away from Father as is possible in a group of this size. But he needs to know how serious is his position. Tell him not to run away though as Father will use this as an excuse to have him killed. We will have to come up with something that will allow his escape safely."
"He'll feel fear. I can use your name when I tell him. This will make him more confident."
"Yes, use my name. But tell him not to talk to anyone other than yourself, and if necessary, Hi-Tui."
"Why Hi-Tui? He is very loyal to the Lord."
"He is. But it was also he who told me of the danger Wi-Su was in."
"Hi-Tui. He has the biggest dick I have seen and felt."
"So you know Hi-Tui, also?"
"Yairs. I do. But only once. Felt I was split in two!"
"That is something I wouldn't like to try. But it is a mighty implement."
"It is. But I prefer yours. Speaking of which, what chance of another run before we head back?"
The climb down was more fatiguing than up had been. I can't remember having been so glad to see Kito, to have something to carry me other than my legs. We pushed our horses on the way back, keen to know the fate of Wi-Su. My worry became relief when I saw him laughing and joking with the men, including those who had bravely entered with him. I learnt later, as I was not able to approach him, that no danger of any kind had been met. They had been given 4 torches to bear, two lit before entry, two to be lit when the first two were burning low, to mark the time to return. It happened that the second two died well before coming close to the exit of the tunnel, even though they had walked quicker on their return. Wi-Su had kept his head and managed to walk a straight line to lead the group back into the light. He had become a bit of a hero, so it seemed that Father's dirty game had played against him.
FIFDAY
Everyone was well rested in preparation for the entry. Wi-Su had reported that the road within the tunnel was no different to that outside, so everyone was lined up outside in the formation that Father wished to traverse the tunnel. Not being sure what the horses would do in the darkness everyone was on foot. In front were a group of guards without horses, behind these were an equal number of guards each leading two horses. In the middle were the wagons and field workers, and in the rear more guards. Father led in the first group, I was in the second group, leading Kito and Trugo. Nervous talk wandered amongst the waiting men, disciplined enough to stay in their spots but scraping feet and scratching themselves. Finally Father called out and we started to move. With no idea of how far we were to be without light the minimum of torches were in use. Two for each segment at the front, one for each cart and two for the group coming behind. Despite the light thrown by the torches we came to know a dark that I had never experienced. A dark so intense that I am sure that my hand could be a hairs breadth from my eyes and I would not be able to see it. This was frightening, and the men were hushed and cowed.
And we walked. And we walked. Nothing changed. The darkness, the distant walls of the tunnel, its high roof, all smooth as if polished. It went on and on. Little by little fear turned to boredom, which turned to restlessness. Voices filled in the dark, echoing and bouncing off each other. It seemed like we were a group of five hundred. And nothing changed. Realising that we were not going to find an end in one stage Father called a halt. The horses were tied to the carts that were set up as barricades back and front. Small fires were made to cook, then sleeping mats were laid out. No one had any idea whether it was afternoon or night outside. All were weary. Before we slept Father asked what I thought.
"There is no indication of the length of this tunnel. The air is fresh, but I suspect that doesn't mean we are near the end. I think that is another mystery of the ancients. I think we should try to ride the horses to make the most of the torches we have. Already we have used more than half."
"Yes. That worries me. I didn't imagine it would be so long. We can't sleep for long, for even while sleeping we must keep torches burning at both ends."
The restart was on horseback. We presumably moved more quickly, but nothing around us gave any confirmation of this. It seem that in no time we were down to the last few torches. Though we travelled faster the air moving past the torches caused them to burn down more rapidly. The number being used at any one time had already been cut to the minimum needed but unless the tunnel exit appeared very soon we were going to be in the dark. Then one by one the torches began to go out. When we were down to three, which did not give enough light for safe progress, Father called a halt.
"Now is time to prove your intelligence," he said to me. "Get us out of here!" His voice was underscored by fear, something I had never heard before. I could see that his thoughts were no longer ordered, his eyes glinted wildly in the light of the dying torch he held. And the other men were much worse, fear assaulting their self-control. Whatever was to be done had to be done rapidly. They needed order.
"Okay. Everyone is to stay perfectly still except to move as I say," I yelled. This got their attention. "I'm going to organise us so we can continue even if we have no light. We will be slow, but we must keep going. This tunnel does have an end in daylight."
I started at the front, putting enough men side by side, holding hands, so that the ones at each extreme were touching opposite walls of the tunnels. Their horses were then secured to their belts, and a rope from the horses secured to the horse of the first cart. Another two carts were then attached, then another row of men to keep things in a straight line. It was at this point, before everyone had been attached, that the last two torches went out, together. Panic welled inside me. How was I going to join on the rest of the group. Voices stared to lift, feeding my own panic. Then a voice called out, "SILENCE!"
It caught me by surprise, as it was mine. "NO ONE IS TO MOVE OR TALK, EXCEPT IN RESPONSE TO ME." I continued. "Our eyes don't work anymore, so like a blind man we must use our ears. If everyone is talking no sense can be made of anything." So talking slowly, working slowly by touch, amazed at the bravery the men showed, holding onto my trembling nerves so as to maintain their confidence, I managed to get everyone tied up. I then felt my way back to the front, tied myself to the middle man of the front group, then again lifted my voice.
"We will start to walk when I say, and keep to the rhythm of my song. Who in the middle has a good voice?"
"Ri-Lo has a good voice," someone called, "but I don't know if he is in the middle."
"Ri-Lo, where are you?" I called.
A nervous voice answered, but not loud enough to carry.
"Speak up my man, you are with friends."
The voice lifted a little. "M'Lord, I truly don't know. I'm not last, but I don't know."
"I think you are just past the middle cart. Now, do you know this song?" I asked, and sang a few lines. I had decided to sing the same that Mother had sung for Wi-Su. Father would not know the irony of this, but in truth I sang it as it was long, told a good story that would get the men involved, and because it had a good beat.
"Yes m'Lord. It is a good song. The Lady writ it, did she not?"
"She did Ri-Lo. Now I will start and I want you to join in when we have started to walk. Do you understand?"
"Yes m'Lord," came the invisible voice, now sounding more confident.
"Let's go," I said, and started to sing. After a few erratic steps I called, "HALT!" Now line yourselves up with your neighbours again. We must all start at the same time. NO FEAR. IT IS OUR FEAR THAT CAN MAKE US FAIL. Walk confidently, with normal sized steps, and in time with the song. This time I will count one, two three four. On four everyone will take the first step and I will start to sing. OKAY. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!"
This time the rhythm took and soon we were walking at a good pace like some cumbrous beast. Ri-Lo sang well, going from singing the same part as me to singing the woman's part falsetto. A few of the other men started to join in too, then a few more. I had feared this, as with too many voices I would not be heard, but their confidence was more important so I let the swell grow and soon it seemed every voice was lifted. I could even hear Father's deep gravel grinding out a rich bass.
The song finished and all was still dark.
"HALT! Front row, check all your ties. First cart, answer."
"Here, m'Lord," came the voice of a field worker.
I worked my way down to column, working from memory of the names I knew as to who was where, then announced the recommencement of the song with one, two, three, four. This time we were smoothly underway. By the sixth or seventh repetition of the song, voice becoming hoarse and my confidence that this tunnel in truth had in end ebbing, I started to think of what else we could do. I couldn't think of anything else. To return was too far. I found I was now using the confidence that had built in the men to support my own, singing along with them rather than leading.
I have no idea how many times that song was sung. Maybe thirty. At first I thought that my eyes were starting to play tricks on me in this absolute black. A darkness of a different intensity seemed to be dancing in front. Just a spot. But by the next repetition I was sure the spot was getting bigger, and by the next I was sure. I wanted to run, but could not break the rhythm, nor could I say anything for I didn't want to trigger a mad rush of men and horses in this darkness. After having journeyed so far I didn't want anyone hurt. No one else seemed to notice. Later many said they had walked with their eyes closed, saying it seemed more natural not being able to see with them closed than open. When I felt that everyone should have exited the tunnel I called yet another halt. I had to announce we had escaped as the men started automatically to line up ready for another stage.
It was night, a dark night of heavy sky, but there was no rain. A night that I would once thought as dark as anything could be, but it seemed bright. My hand could be seen as a silhouette! I thought I could make out shadowy trees at the edge of the road. The men cheered, calling praise to The One for having seen them to safety, some calling praise in a similar tone to me for the same reason. Father joined me at my side.
"My son," he said, emotion cracking his voice. "You are a Hero! I always knew you were special, but I didn't know how much!" He then lifted his voice, "Three cheers for Lord Cavon. The Saviour from the dark!"
My face burnt in the cool air as the cries of the men filled the night. But I also knew that we were by no means saved. We were in territory completely unknown, and it was still very dark.
"THANKYOU," I called out at the first opportunity. "SILENCE," I added before the voices had time to rise again. "We are not safe yet. Wi-Su."
"Yes my Lord." His voice was a good distance away.
"Organise a small fire in the middle of the road to give a little light, then with this find enough timber to build it up and something to make new torches. We need to be able to see to set up a camp."
"As good as done, my Lord."
I then sat down. Suddenly my legs would no longer hold me. I felt as if my body was going to be wracked by sobs. Father squatted down beside me.
"What is wrong?" he asked quietly.
"I can do no more," I sobbed out.
"Be strong, my son. But you don't have to do any more. Organising a camp in the dark is everyday work. Leave that to me." With a renewed strength he stood and strode away, shouting and organising. I put my head between my knees. I must have slept, as the next thing I knew was Yue-Sin coming to tell me that the tent was ready, and food would soon be cooked. I looked into his face, seeing only a vague shadow. I touched his cheek. In response he leant forward and kissed me softly, first missing and hitting half cheek, half lips, then touching squarely on my lips.
"Come my love, the men cannot see that their Hero is human," he said gently, then taking my arm to help me to my feet.
"Thankyou, Yue-Sin." I walked stiff legged and straight backed amongst the men, back to the tent. I could feel a difference in them. Their bows were deeper, their mumbled words sounding of reverence not previously present. I had changed from being the son of the Lord, a young man of unproven worth, to being something more. Something greater. Other than feeling rather ragged I felt no different, though I suspected I was going to have to live up to new expectations in future.
I entered the shelter that Wi-Su had somehow stabilised on the hard road to find Father seated at our small table, a lantern lighting his book and scratching pen. He greeted me with, "What day do you think it is, Cavon?"
I just stared, looking at the obvious. He repeated his question but I replied, "Why didn't we use lanterns?"
"What?" he replied.
"In the tunnel. Why did we use torches, not lanterns?"
"Lanterns are for use inside."
"But how much more inside can one be than in that tunnel?"
"Huh. Ah. Well. You know, I think you have a point." He seemed rather abashed.
"Lanterns burn for much longer, all one needs is a bottle of oil to keep them going. A lantern will burn all night if it is large."
"Next time I plan an expedition I will hand it to you. But for now answer my question." Keen to return to a safe subject. "What day is it?"
"I don't know Father. I don't know how long we were in the tunnel. It could have been one day. It could have been two. Right now I don't know if is newly dark or not far from morning. I know I am very tired."
"Yes, so am I. I guess if we soon see light we were only in the tunnel for a day and a night, but if light is far away we were there a day, a night and a day."
"Or a day and a night and a day and a night."
"That long."
"I really don't know Father. When morning comes we can decide, as you suggested, if it is now SixDay night or early on GodDay. And when we get home if we are a day out in our calculation we will know how long we spent in the tunnel."
"So I'll leave a space for the day," he said, as though half asking, and began to write. I looked over his shoulder, embarrassed by the exaggerated terms he used to describe my actions. I said as much and he replied, "To you they may not have seemed much, but to all who watched, or maybe that should be listened," he modified and chuckled at his own humour, "they certainly appeared acts of a great man. And that included me," he finished softly.
"Thankyou Father," was all I could think to reply. He wrote for a little more then food was brought.
"Eat with us, Yue-Sin," commanded Father when Yue-Sin had finished organising the food. "To celebrate the new Hero."
"With pleasure, my Lord. I do believe that the sky is beginning to lighten. I've mounted extra guards, with frequent rotation as all are very tired. I don't feel safe surrounded by forest like we are. Trees like I've never seen all around."
"How long do you think we were in the tunnel, Yue-Sin," Father asked.
"I think two days, my Lord."
"Hmm."
Father then prayed a short prayer of thanks, as I believed he thought it was GodDay morning. We ate quickly though not much. Everyone was too tired. Even the tireless Yue-Sin, who chased his men all night to make sure they were awake and who was still awake all day, had eyes that constantly drooped closed. I slept rapidly and solidly.
?GODDAY
Waking to bright light I initially felt quite disorientated. Father was gone, as was Yue-Sin. I arose and contemplated our new surroundings in daylight for the first time. The road was the same as it was on the other side of the tunnel, smooth, even edged, but here it was surround by a steep wall of foliage, of types completely unknown to me. And many types. Green leaves, small, some shiny, some dull, some on tall, straight trunks, others on small, complicated shrubs, others seeming a mixture of the two. Strappy red leaves like I knew, some similar to those I knew but others growing on twisted, multi-limbed trunks. It was so fantastic that I felt I had entered a dream world, or the world of The One. We had camped in a cutting through solid rock, cut as if by a knife through lard, its floor made up of the road and its walls of sheer rock smothered in vegetation that thrust upwards from the small area between rock and road. One end of the cutting ended as the tunnel mouth from which we had escaped, the other, our direction for the day, faded away until it existed no more and the road turned to parallel the downward path of a vigorous stream in the centre of the valley.
Initially I investigated the edges of the foliage in awe but without fear. Then I remembered the new animals that Wi-Su and I had discovered in the upland plains, and wondered what type of animals would inhabit an environment as strange as this. I missed Wi-Su. This new environment must fascinate him. I wanted to ask him if he had come across anything similar in his travels. And then felt very insecure after hearing a scurrying sound somewhere in the depths. Though my reason informed me that nothing large could inhabit such a thin band of vegetation I hurriedly returned to the relative safety of the middle of the road. The improvised camp was on the move, sleeping gear rolled and loaded, eating and cooking utensils cleaned and packed away, horses being attached to carts. Everyone seemed edgy, wanting to move on. I met Father returning to camp on a cantering Trugo from the direction of the unknown road.
"It continues like this for all the distance I rode," he said as he dismounted. "All there is this dark jungle. The stream bed is steep and all rocks, and showed no sign of levelling out. We must get underway and move quickly as our resources of hay will quickly be depleted if we don't find some pasture."
Father seemed quite anxious which increased the inquiet I was already feeling. I returned to our already dismantled tent, finding some rice that Yue-Sin had left for me. This reminded me that I was hungry so I delayed further preparation until I ate. I packed my personal possessions into Kito's saddlebags and was ready to leave. Not long after the group was organised and Father led us on and down at a pace that made our trip up river seem a GodDay outing. It wasn't too long though before we began to get glimpses of flatter land ahead, and the knowledge that everything this side of the tunnel was not the same as this strange valley reassured everyone, though if anything our pace picked up a bit in hope of reaching it before dark. From the changing of the light I decided that I had woken in the middle of the day, of whatever day this was. GodDay or FirstDay.
The flat land proved to be a disappointment though, and also our path appeared to be blocked. What appeared to be flat land was rather a shallow lake that supported a vigorous growth of some kind of water grass with blades breaking the water surface. The horses liked the grass, but the air was alive with countless midges that seemed to have a ravenous appetite for human blood. This seemed strange as we were presumably amongst the first humans who had visited this land. But worse than this was that the road, our path of ease, dove straight into this lake and ceased. The shores of the lake were not heavily wooded like the walls of the valley, but appeared to have foliage dense enough to preclude the free travel of our carts.
With Yue-Sin and Hi-Tui for protection, Father and I rode rightward along the lake shore. The insects did not diminish, but we could talk without the rest of the expedition hanging on every word. With Yue-Sin and Hi-Tui setting up a cordon, but out of earshot, Father said, "I don't think we are very far from the hut for which we are searching. When I was with Father we did not travel any further down the road than the hut, but he described to me that further on there was a large, shallow lake into which the road disappeared. If my sense of direction is correct I suspect that if we continue along here we will find the road that leads to the hut, and that it will not be more than a day's journey from there to the hut."
"But if this is 100 paces or 10,000 paces, the carts will not be able to negotiate this terrain," I commented.
"I made sure that the carts we brought were demountable, so as they could be transported if need be as separate pieces. If it is not too far from here to the road everything could be carried on horse back and the carts reassembled at the other end. Still, if there is nothing much greater than these saplings a path could be cut through."
"If it is not too far."
"That we can investigate tomorrow. For now I think we have to retreat away from these wretched insects so that we can sleep in peace tonight. Tomorrow, you, Yue-Sin, Hu-Tui and I will explore the bank. If the distance is not great I will lead you to the hut so you can start work there, guarded by Yue-Sin, while I'll return to organise the rest of the expedition."
"Work?" I asked.
"I haven't told you. I have a surprise for you. Though the purpose of this trip is to look for a magic weapon for Father, I have no belief that we will achieve this. So I thought, to make the trip worthwhile, the real aim would be to allow you the opportunity to study the contents of the hut. If anyone can work them out it will be you. They were pure mystery to me. All were magical in appearance, but none did anything, as if dead. Maybe you can find a way to wake them, and find some advantage for us in this difficult time we will be facing."
"Difficult time?" I again echoed.
"I truly don't believe Father has much longer to live. Whether it is poison or ill health, soon we will have a new King. And with my half brother as King life will not be easy."