Free Revelation by Michael Duncan Page B

shouted, “I’ve found something!” His voice echoed in waves against the stone walls of the room. The other two dashed to where the sergeant stood, looking down the length of a long, dark corridor. “Captain!” he exclaimed, “Garam was taken through this tunnel.”
    “Taken?” asked Braden.
    “Yes,” replied the sergeant, “I don’t think he went willingly. These scratch marks in the dust show that someone was dragged through this area.”
    Braden leapt across the fallen timbers, not waiting for the other two. With Garam’s axe clutched in one hand and the glowing stone in the other, the dwarf disappeared down the corridor, leaving his two companions behind. The sound of his boots beat against the stone floor like two hammers, reverberating with synchronous echoes. Aaron and Lorik paused for just a moment before they quickly rushed after their frantic friend.
    They turned a corner and were immediately swallowed up in the pitch-black of the hall. The fading light of the chamber behind them no longer aided them. If not for the illumine stone, both men would be lost in the encroaching darkness of the catacombs. Somewhere in the shadowed distance ahead they heard the pounding of Braden’s steps. Aaron held the stone aloft to shed light in the passage as he and Lorik pressed on.
     
    ****
     
    “Help me… please!”
    Braden heard the hoarse plea of desperation and then what sounded like a splash coming from the darkness before him. He ran forward several more paces when, by the glow of the stone, he saw the reflected shimmer of a large pool with Garam struggling in the midst of it.
    Braden rushed into the lake, splashing through the freezing water. Garam fought against an unseen adversary, clutching at his throat as if some mighty hand were trying to choke the life out of the dwarf. “Let go!” Braden shouted, not knowing what was happening to Garam. He grabbed Garam and tried to drag his companion out of the icy lake. To his shock and fear, something unseen was fighting against his efforts.
    “He’s… got… me!” Garam rasped, fighting for every gasp of air.
    Again Braden tried to haul Garam out of the lake but to no avail… whatever held the dwarf was too powerful for him. He couldn’t see the invisible assailant and didn’t know what to do. Suddenly the sound of pounding feet echoed in the room as if an army were approaching. Braden looked back to see a dim red light bouncing in the darkness, keeping rhythm with the sound. In the dim glow of the illumine stone, Braden easily identified Aaron and Lorik as they ran toward the lake.
    “Captain!” Braden shouted as he waived his stone in the air. “Over here!”
     
    ****
     
    Running through the dark cavern, they were upon Braden in a moment. Aaron examined the entire scene in an instant: Garam struggling in the water, clutching his throat, Braden next to him, the large lake, and the enormous room. A sudden thought rushed through his mind and he knew, as if by instinct, what he needed to do. “We’ve got to get him back to the light! Lorik, Braden, help Garam… carry him if necessary, but we must get back to that room!”
    With Lorik’s help, they were able to drag Garam out of the icy depths, hoisting their comrade onto his feet and half carrying, half dragging the dwarf to the large chamber. With Aaron holding both stones, they began a quick march back the way they came. Faster and faster they moved, until they were almost running with Garam in their arms. His breathing grew shallow, gasping—almost gulping—for every desperate breath of air. He would be gone in moments, Aaron feared, if they couldn’t find their way back in time.
    Several minutes later, though it seemed to be hours, they were back in the well lit, circular room, the light filling their eyes. The men brought Garam right to the water’s edge. Suddenly the light above the obelisk flashed blindingly brilliant. In that moment, the other three finally witnessed the shadowy form