The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 35

It was so dark Elysia was unsure if her eyes were open or closed. A void surrounded them and Elysia reached out frantically for her guardian.

"Shade?!" She called, knowing he couldn't be far. Somehow in the time the light of the torch had gone out and now, Elysia had lost her grip on the cloak of her guardian.

His hand found hers in the darkness and she clutched his hand tightly, determined to maintain contact with him in the darkness. She refused to get lost in this cave.

"You have more flint right?" she asked hopefully. Shade was always prepared, of course he would be able to light another fire. She was sure he kept practically anything and everything in that cloak of his.

"I do, but the torch is done for. With this type of material, once it gets wet it refuses to relight."

Elysia's heart sank. "Please tell me you have another source of light to use."

Shade gave her hand a small squeeze. "Keep hold of me Princess. We don't have far to go."

She thought back to the embrace she had shared with Shade. Remembering the way he held her, the way he combed his fingers through her hair made the hairs on her arms stand up. She shivered but felt warm at the same time, remembering the way she had felt. She summoned that feeling of security. Shade had gotten her this far, she would not doubt him now.

He talked her through every step of the way. Though in the beginning her steps had been small and uncertain, Shade's voice kept her calm through it all until she was walking in pace with him. He let her know when there was an edge to avoid, when to step up, when to duck her head, when she could walk upright and when she needed to crouch down and crawl.

Not much longer Elysia's ears picked up on a noise. It took a few moments for her to realize it was rushing water. Instinctively she tightened her grip on Shade.

"Not much farther now. You might feel a few drops of condensation. There is a waterfall about ten paces to your left. I wish you could see it, maybe on the way back when we have light you can."

Elysia's stomach lurched. She had forgotten they would have to make their way back through the caves to where they first entered. She wasn't sure if she had the stomach to do it again. After all, how difficult would it be going down some of the areas they had climbed up?

"Okay," Shade stopped and Elysia followed suit, her hands reaching out reflexively to feel around her. "This next part is a little tricky. Nothing compared to the mess we had earlier."

"What is it?" Elysia asked, dreading the answer.

"In a moment we are going to have to walk through some water. For a while it will be up to your knees and then eventually up to your shoulders. I am not going to let go of you even for a second, okay?"

She nodded, then realized he could not see. "Okay." Her voice was weak.

"After a little bit there will be another passage we have to get through. Only this time it will be underwater. When I tell you, you'll have to dive down under and through a small passage. This passage is wide enough but you will not be able to move your arms too much. Before you go under I will need you to take a deep breath. It takes about two minutes to make it to the other side and then you'll be able to breathe again."

"No sense wasting time about it," Elysia decided. "I'm ready."

She could tell Shade was shocked at her response. The Princess had suffered through enough to make her numb and indifferent.

When they reached the water Elysia tensed, preparing her body. The water was cold and sent goosebumps all over her. She shivered involuntarily as they waded in deeper, Elysia's hand never letting go of her guardian. Finally Shade tightened his grip on Elysia and asked, "Ready?"