Chapter 64: Tunnel Through the Trollbones, pt. 1

As he moved feet-first into the narrow gap under the boulder, Alcar was worried at first that it would prove to be a dead end... or worse, the beginning of a pit that would get suffocatingly narrow as it descended.

He wasn’t scared of the dark, as such, or of small spaces – he reserved his terror for deadly monsters, sharp weapons, and the mockery of his peers.

All the same, it would be easy to get stuck deep within the rockfall, and for it to be too steep or dark to find a way back out.

As he wiggled his way further in, though, Alcar rapidly realized that the earthy space beneath his feet was getting both wider and steeper, giving way underneath him. He clutched for rock to grip onto on either side, but was unable to gain any kind of hold. In mere moments, Alcar was slithering rapidly down what felt like an earthy slope.

He fell uncontrollably for a brief moment, and then hit a solid surface below with a grunt. It wasn’t clear how far down he had fallen, but it didn’t feel like it had been more than a few feet. With luck, he thought, it would be possible to climb back out.

And then Brutus landed on top of him with a yelp, and scrambled off, clawing Alcar’s face in the process.

“Oof!”

“Wuff!”

Wincing, Alcar stood up. Feeling around, he was able to determine that the area around him now was much wider than the small passageway that he had fallen down. It was different, too – regularly shaped, and smooth sided. He was able to straighten his back and stand upright, and as he felt around above him, the ceiling and walls of this area also felt straight and solid, though there were loose stones and debris underfoot.

Was it even part of the same tunnel?

The way he had come couldn’t have been used much recently – that was clear from the grass growing at its entrance, not to mention the chaotic slope he had just slithered down.

All the same, he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the area he was in now had existed before the rockfall. Perhaps a falling boulder had ruptured an area near the surface, punching a way into an older tunnel. And as Alcar turned and felt around in the near-total darkness, it did seem to be the case that the section of tunnel that he was now in led off in two directions.

Brutus was just behind him now, sniffing enthusiastically at the new surroundings, and Alcar paused to pat the dog’s flank. “Well done, boy. You found something really useful – a proper tunnel. I think we can right get under the rockfall this way, and make it back up to to the trail.“

“Rrrrff,” replied Brutus quietly.

“All the same, I need more light, at least for a little while. Rac et weimannia!”

The familiar purple-blue flame emerged in the palm of Alcar’s hand, a small, focused ball, and once again, he felt the effects of the razor reed helping him to control the magic a little more.

It was also true, however, that the flame was tiny this time – much smaller than his previous efforts. Whatever sorcerous energy was left inside him, it must be at a low ebb. It was close to being entirely spent, meaning that the flame might not last for long.

Looking around, Alcar could now see that indeed, there was a small earthy entrance above him that they had both slid down. They were now standing in an impressive stone tunnel that appeared to have been mined directly through the rock. He had come at it from an angle. Mud and small stones lay near his feet. It all fit well enough with his theory that the falling rocks had damaged a section, leading to the gap that Brutus had discovered.

Turning and raising the magical flame in his hand, Alcar became aware that he was not entirely sure which way was forward – both sides of the tunnel looked quite similar, and he didn’t have a dwarf’s ability to orient himself underground.

“Hopefully it’s that way, Brut,” he murmured, pointing to the direction that sloped slightly upwards. “I don’t think that can be the way we came. If it rises any higher, it would hit the surface of the trail that we have just come along.”

“Woof.”

“I’m so glad you agree.”

With the blue flame still carefully cupped in one hand, Alcar moved on. The flame had already shrunk in the time since casting the enchantment, and he felt fairly sure that it would fizzle and disappear before long.

If he was right, though, it should only be a matter of a couple dozen yards before they reached the other side of the rockfall. And that would presumably take them directly underneath the next section of the trail.

Ready to rejoin their companions and move on towards the rift valley.

“Oh, but...” said Alcar aloud.

He had suddenly realized that if the way he had come into tunnel had been broken by a falling rock, there was no guarantee of finding a matching way out from under the other side of the rockfall.

The tunnel was obviously quite sturdy, too; it had survived the tons of rock that had collapsed above it without being seriously compromised. Its walls and ceiling were mainly composed of smooth rock. There would be no breaking through, even if he had the tools.

And so, he could be stuck down here for a while. But all the same... it was surely better than waiting by the rockfall for the Imperials to arrive – or the troll.

He walked on, raising his hand towards one side and then another. There was, so far, no sign of any side tunnel, stairs, or further gaps or damage.

There was nothing for it but to keep walking.

Reaching into a pocket, Alcar pulled out another dried meat strip and handed it to Brutus.

“Let’s hurry on, boy,” he said. “We might be here for a while. But whoever made this tunnel, they must have made chambers and entrances, too. And when we do get out, we will be that much closer to our goal.”