Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

W hether it was an act or Hester really did feel better, she was acting her usual self by the time Gordon Mackenzie appeared. The sorcerer looked tired – doubtless he’d had to leave Edinburgh in the wee hours to get here – and Hester wasted no time commenting on his lack of fizzing energy.

Despite his yawns and her typically impolite commentary, there was a glint of steely determination in his eye. Gordon might not know the details but he understood that our venture into Smoo Cave was of the utmost importance. He’d been at the Royal Elvish Institute; he’d seen the danger Athair presented with his own eyes.

I gave him a quick hug and, to my surprise, Hugo did the same. Once upon a time he could barely look directly at Gordon; now, with the matter of Lady Rose resolved and their past differences smoothed over, he was genuinely happy to see him. I knew that Hugo felt tremendous guilt about his past actions, and he’d discussed them at length with Gordon and me, but if we didn’t make mistakes we’d never learn.

‘It’s a good thing you checked with me first before you tried to get into the hidden caves again,’ Gordon said. ‘The rune was re-sealed after your last visit.’

He gave a sombre nod; he was well aware of what had happened last time. Hugo had found the key that was part of Sir Nigel’s treasure hunt for the Loch Arkaig gold and I’d fallen into a dark chasm where I’d met the Fachan. The ancient one-eyed man had challenged me to a fight. When I’d not lived up to his expectations as an opponent, he’d taken pity on me, granted me Gladys to aid my future endeavours and shown me another way out of the caves. I had been very, very lucky.

‘Are you truly ready to return?’ Gordon asked.

Hugo didn’t answer; instead he looked at me. I didn’t have any spider’s silk to help me this time.

I curled my hands into fists, allowing myself to enjoy the flare of momentary pain as my fingernails dug into the soft flesh of my palms and nodded, mentally girding my loins for what was to come. I’d been into the dark bowels of this cave before; I could do it again.

‘Alright,’ Gordon said. ‘In that case, let’s get this show on the road.’

We walked in single file along the well-worn path until the small beach with its softly lapping waves and the mouth of Smoo Cave were visible. There was nothing scary about the first section of the cave and I could easily keep my claustrophobia at bay. There was plenty of space in the large cavern and, as it was a popular tourist attraction, there was even a helpful wooden walkway to guide us inside.

‘It’s fine,’ I said. ‘It’s all fine.’

Hugo shot me a quick glance and checked my expression before smiling. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘It is.’

From his position on my right shoulder, Otis gave me a reassuring pat. From her position on my left, Hester snorted. ‘For goodness sake. Keep yourself together!’ Then she leaned more closely into my ear and lowered her voice. ‘All you’re doing is visiting an old friend. Nothing more, nothing less.’

I breathed out. We kept on walking.

Within minutes we’d reached the end of the first network of caves and were gazing down at the murky pool of black water. Hidden from view beneath its surface was an old rune that was locked to protect the way ahead.

I eyed the water for several seconds, then turned away to prepare myself. To get to the deeper caves – and closer to the Fachan – we would have to swim.

Hester and Otis secured themselves in my waterproof bag, where Gladys was already waiting, and I stripped down to my underwear. I stepped to the edge of the dark water. Hugo and I had already discussed this: when you were nervous, there was nothing worse than having to wait. Anticipation was not always your friend. To that end, he’d agreed that I should take the lead and be the first to plunge in.

I gripped an underwater torch, double-checked that the bag was secure on my shoulders and allowed my toes to dip in the icy water. Cumbubbling bollocks: it was freezing.

Gordon was already working on the rune, drawing one of his own in the air beside us. As soon as it was complete, he nodded. The underwater rune glowed green and there was a faint rumble followed by ripples across the surface of the water. The passageway was open. It was time to go.

‘I’ll see you on the other side,’ Hugo told me. ‘Wait for me.’

Of course I’d wait – I wasn’t going anywhere in that cave without him. I simply smiled and then I jumped in.

The rush of cold water, not to mention the darkness, was more disorientating than I remembered. I could feel my heart pounding hard in my chest, and for a moment panic overtook me and I had no idea which way was up. Then the glow of my torch highlighted the rising bubbles and I caught the green light emanating from the open rune. There: the passageway was right there.

I twisted in the icy water and swam as fast as I could, thrusting my head through the narrow gap and then the rest of my body. I kicked hard as my lungs started to burn. Before panic overcame me, I was out of the tunnel and swimming upwards. My head broke the water’s surface and I gasped for air.

That hadn’t been so bad.

I quickly swam to the side and hauled myself out. I was shivering violently so I didn’t waste any time. I dropped my bag onto the rocky cave floor, opened it up and took out another torch to illuminate the area for Hugo.

Hester and Otis flew out while I grabbed a towel to rub myself down and I muttered at them to move behind me before I conjured up two small fireballs. Their magical light outshone both battery-powered torches.

I glanced around the cavern and double-checked that nothing had changed since my first visit. By the time I was satisfied, Hugo was emerging from the water. I offered him my hand and helped him out.

‘I’d say it’s good to be back,’ he drawled, shaking off most of the water before opening his own bag to take out a towel and some clothes. ‘But I’d definitely be lying.’

I grimaced in agreement. ‘Let’s hope that the Fachan is currently in residence and we’re not here for too long,’ I said, also pulling on a set of warm, dry clothes.

Otis held up crossed fingers ‘And that he has the answers we need.’

I glanced at Hester. She didn’t argue, just bowed her head and said, ‘Amen.’

I pushed my feet into my shoes then eyed the dark tunnel that led into a far larger cavern. The first time I’d squeezed through that tunnel I’d suffered a debilitating panic attack but I vowed that wouldn’t happen this time.

I took three big gulps of air, steadied myself and checked on Hugo. He reached for my hand. ‘I’m ready,’ he said.

I squeezed his fingers. I’d have to let go to wriggle through the narrow space but I held his hand a second longer before I plunged ahead. The faster we did this, the better.

The first few metres were easy but the tunnel rapidly narrowed. When I was forced to crouch Otis and Hester took the lead, staying a short distance behind the bobbing fireballs to the rear, Hugo kept up a commentary even when we ended up wriggling on our bellies.

‘You know,’ he said, ‘Despite my earlier comment, I’m looking forward to this. I’d like a chance to speak at length with the Fachan. He must have seen some glorious things in his time. I wonder how old he is. And look at the walls of this tunnel! There are seams of metals – you can tell by the glinting cracks. It might be tin, or something more precious.’

His words were mostly nonsense but they reassured me. When I finally pushed myself onto the floor of the larger cavern, I was breathing normally and there was no fearful tightness in my chest.

I grinned at my three companions. I had this; I was doing fine. ‘Nothing to fear but fear itself!’ I declared loudly.

‘You go, girl,’ Hester said while Otis pumped the air and performed a somersault. Hugo mostly looked relieved.

‘Onwards?’ I asked. He nodded.

We turned left, away from the gaping chasm that Hugo had once traversed with the aid of the Primes and some cunning ropework, and walked into the passage that led to a much narrower chasm. I’d fallen into that one when the ground had collapsed beneath me on my previous visit and I’d expected to feel a tremor of forgotten trauma. When we reached the dark hole, however, I realised I felt nothing other than an eagerness to find the Fachan and learn about ways to destroy all fiends.

‘You’ve got the rope?’ I asked Hugo.

‘Yes – but you promised that climbing down there was only a last resort.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m not in any rush to throw myself in.’ Taking care not to get too close to the edge, I crouched down and cupped my hands to amplify my voice. ‘Hello? It’s Daisy! Are you there?’

Unsurprisingly, there was no answer. I called again and then, because good things often came in threes, gave a third yell. Hugo handed me a small stone around which I’d wrapped a written message; I’d assumed the Fachan was literate though I couldn’t be sure.

I carefully dropped the stone and tilted my head to listen for the thud as it hit rock bottom. There was nothing: I couldn’t hear a damned thing.

‘Now what?’ Otis asked nervously.

‘I guess we wait,’ I replied.

To avoid a nasty accident, we moved several metres away from the hole. Hugo rummaged in his bag and eventually found some food. When he handed Hester a small chocolate brownie carefully wrapped in tin foil, she shot me a look as if to ask if I’d put him up to it. I shook my head. Hugo hadn’t required any encouragement from me, he’d packed it of his own volition and for her enjoyment alone. Her answering smile was bright enough to compete with the hovering fireballs above our heads.

One hour passed, then two. When time stretched into the third hour, I started to twitch. I looked at Hugo’s bag, wondering how much rope he was carrying; probably not enough, but I could try using air magic to soften my descent without worrying about its adverse impact on this environment. In the worst-case scenario, I could repeat what I’d done the first time and simply fall into the dark hole because the Fachan would catch me if he was down there. Hopefully.

I checked the time again. Once we hit the four-hour mark, I’d make a move.

Another five minutes ticked by. I shuffled closer to Hugo, dropped my head on his shoulders and yawned – then suddenly there was a thud.

Otis jolted upwards with such speed and shock that he hit the tunnel roof. He groaned and rubbed his head as Hester checked him over.

Hugo and I got to our feet and gazed towards the source of the sound. ‘That came from behind us, right?’ I asked. ‘The larger cavern?’

‘Yes. Do you think it’s him?’

I certainly hoped so; if another creature was living down here, we could be in real trouble. We exchanged glances then started walking back down the tunnel. Gladys stayed in my bag but I could feel her vibrating. Was she nervous about being back in the place where she’d been trapped for so many years? I gently touched her hilt, doing what I could to reassure her, and she buzzed in quiet acknowledgment before falling silent again.

We stepped out of the tunnel into the cavern. ‘The Fachan?’ I called tentatively. ‘Are you there?’

Bless him, he didn’t keep me waiting. From the impenetrable darkness of the far end of the cavern, his voice boomed, ‘Daisy Carter! I knew this day would come. Finally you are here to challenge me.’

I’d been expecting this. ‘No,’ I said quickly. ‘I’m still not ready to fight you.’ I would never be ready to fight him. ‘I’m here with my friends because we need your help.’

He strode out of the darkness with a long, lolloping gait and fixed his one bulbous eye on me. His expression gave nothing away; he didn’t even blink.

‘This is Hugo,’ I said. ‘And Hester and Otis. You’ve met them before.’ Briefly: they’d been with me the second time I’d bumped into the Fachan, although they’d left very quickly when some fiends had shown up.

‘You called Daisy pathetic,’ Hester said helpfully.

The Fachan rumbled, ‘She is pathetic.’

Hester held up her hands. ‘I’m not disagreeing.’

Hugo stepped forward and stretched out his hand. ‘It’s nice to meet you properly.’

The Fachan pursed his lips. ‘Ah, good. A new challenger. Bring out your sword.’

‘No,’ Hugo said. ‘I?—’

The Fachan’s head whipped towards me. ‘The boy smells of you.’

‘Uh—’ I didn’t know what to say and I floundered for the right words. ‘Uh, he is mine. That’s why.’

‘He belongs to you?’

I hesitated. ‘Um, yes, I guess he does.’

Hugo raised his eyebrows but thankfully didn’t argue. It wasn’t really the time.

‘I see.’ The Fachan sniffed, reached for the sheath at his back and slid out a massive gleaming sword. He pointed it at Hugo. ‘He is definitely not here to fight?’

‘Definitely,’ I said.

‘And neither are you?’ he enquired.

‘Nope.’

The Fachan pondered this for a moment then broke into a huge, unexpected smile. ‘I did not think so, Daisy Carter.’ He bowed his head. ‘It is good to see you again.’

Relief washed over me: he wasn’t going to demand a battle to the death after all. I smiled back and my shoulders relaxed. ‘You were injured last time we met,’ I said. Baltar had wounded him badly before I’d shocked all of us and killed the fiend outright. ‘Have you recovered?’

His eye twinkled. ‘I have.’ He gestured to his long, sinewy body. ‘And without any scars to show for it. You also appear to have recovered from your injuries.’

For a moment, I had no idea what he was referring to and then I realised: he must have spotted the tell-tale silver circles around the pupils of my eyes from the spider’s silk. Those thin lines no longer existed; within two weeks of stopping using the drug, they had faded away.

I inclined my head. ‘I have.’

‘I am pleased.’ He thrust his sword towards me and its tip reflected the gleam of the fireballs. Hugo stiffened protectively at my side but I nudged him with my elbow. He didn’t need to worry.

‘And where is Gladius Acutissimus Gloriae et Sanguinis?’ the Fachan asked.

Otis squinted. ‘Huh?’

‘He means Gladys,’ I explained. I fumbled in my waterproof bag and pulled her out. As soon as she was fully exposed, she gave a high-pitched whine. I blinked: I’d never heard my sword make that sound before and I had no idea what it meant.

The Fachan grinned broadly. ‘It is good to see you again,’ he said.

I knew instantly that he wasn’t talking to me. I twisted Gladys and offered her hilt towards him.

‘No,’ he replied immediately. ‘She is not for me to touch. She belongs to you now.’ And then, scolding me, he added, ‘You should not permit anyone else to touch her, not even me.’ He glanced at her blade. ‘You have been taking good care of her but she remains thirsty for blood.’ He rolled his massive shoulders in a shrug. ‘Such is the way of swords.’

I didn’t really have a response for that so I smiled awkwardly and let her drop back by my side. ‘Thank you for coming to greet us,’ I said.

The Fachan inclined his head. ‘You have come here because you want to know the truth,’ he said. ‘You want to know whether you are the child of a fiend.’

‘Uh, no.’ I grimaced. It was somewhat galling that the Fachan had already worked that part out, probably because I’d finished off Baltar when even he couldn’t have ended the fiend for good. ‘I already know that I am.’

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. ‘I see. Then why are you here, Daisy Carter?’

I cleared my throat. ‘We have heard rumours that a very long time ago some people possessed the means to rid the world of fiends for ever.’

Hugo added, ‘Around eight hundred years ago. Before the Black Death, which was itself created by a fiend.’

The Fachan didn’t miss a beat. ‘Yes, I remember the Black Death. It was a difficult time for your kind.’

That was something of an understatement but I wasn’t there to discuss the horrors of a fourteenth-century plague. ‘You know a great deal,’ I told him. ‘You’ve witnessed so much. Do you have any idea what these rumours might allude to?’

He regarded me implacably but didn’t reply.

Hester couldn’t contain herself. ‘If you know anything,’ she burst out, ‘you have to tell us!’

Otis added his voice to hers. ‘Was there ever a way to destroy all the fiends?’

The Fachan’s expression didn’t change. ‘Yes,’ he said finally. ‘There was.’