Trinity by Patrick Morgan

Author:Patrick Morgan [Patrick Morgan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unbound

022: The Descent

Below Skala

Knowing nothing of the dark abyss beyond the reassuring glow of the robed man’s staff, Megan and Olson were guided in silence through the dark, open space of the Siphon. With the rest of the group behind them, they followed the light through a low arch and into a narrow passage that led steadily down. Flaking white emulsion clung to rough brickwork eaten away by damp and mildew.

‘I don’t remember this passageway being on the map,’ whispered Megan.

‘I don’t remember it either, but then we weren’t looking for it,’ replied Olson in the same hushed tone.

‘Have you noticed there are no power cables or pipes on the walls? How long do you think it’s been here?’ she asked.

‘It’s pretty old, that’s for sure. I can’t remember anyone whitewashing walls in my lifetime.’

Megan leaned in, nodding towards their guide. ‘Who do you suppose he is? Their leader?’

Olson narrowed his eyes, focusing on the figure striding in front of them, his ragged robe billowing out as he walked.

‘I don’t think he’s a “leader”, even if these Hadje people have one. If I were to guess I would say he’s a shaman.’

‘A what?’ asked Megan, unfamiliar with the word.

‘A shaman, a sort of spiritual man.’

‘He said they knew Myra, the technician from the Vault,’ whispered Megan with an urgent excitement.

Olson cocked his head towards her in confidence. ‘I’d be reluctant to jump to that conclusion. I spent a few rotations with her and she doesn’t strike me as the sort to go wandering the underground of Skala. Myra’s not an uncommon name. It could just be a coincidence.’

Sceptical, but not wishing to push her luck, Megan stayed silent. Reaching a second low arch, the Shaman came to an abrupt halt. He looked back over their heads and Megan could see his eyes searching. Was he counting? Seemingly satisfied, he looked to the two outsiders, the vertical pupils of his strange eyes narrowing down to slits. Megan sensed airflow from beyond the arch. The Shaman’s robes billowed as if being sucked out into the dark void beyond. His long fingers tightened around his staff.

‘This arch marks the descent into the Deep Wells, into Buni Sound. The descent is perilous. From here there is no going back.’

Megan wondered at this, sure that they had crossed that point the moment they had entered the Siphon. To her left, she saw Olson straighten, accepting the challenge. His voice acquired a hard edge she had not heard before.

‘What will we face?’ he asked.

‘You will see soon enough,’ replied the Shaman.

From behind them, a second man spoke up for the first time. His tone was level and strong, more human by far than the other-worldly speech of the Shaman. Megan picked up an inflection she didn’t recognise, a strange but beautiful lilt of pronunciation.

‘Watch your footing, there are steps missing. And don’t touch the indigenes, they’re poisonous.’

‘Poisonous?’ asked Megan, turning in alarm.

‘Leave them alone and they won’t harm you. If you stand on one, keep your foot on it and call for me, call for Jean-Louis.

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