A Steep Path

[00:00:01] By Jake Care, Episode 56, A Steep Path. Mela hadn't spent two minutes in the tunnel to freedom when she had strongly considered turning back. Each stop brought her closer to other worldly wailing that got louder with each step. Causing, she tapped Dalers shoulder.

[00:00:41] That is the wind? Yes, there is a strong wind that blows through the chasm and that many crevices and small caves that dot the path down create the sounds. Dalers squeezed Mela's arms. You will see. Mela nodded and followed as Dalers continued forward, the tunnel they were

[00:00:58] in was small and barely fit one person. It was a natural cave with narrower and wider sections and parts where Mela had to duck her head. We are at the chasm, you must be careful. The path down is treacherous. Always have a hand

[00:01:12] on the wall to your right and with each step a sum it will give way. So when it does, you will be able to catch yourself. The path will give way. Mela wasn't a fearful person but the ominous dark lit only by Dalers single torch which

[00:01:27] flickered in the wind and the horrendous screeching combined to make difficult footing almost one fear too many for her. The path is not steep, it is like a small ridge but there are rocks and pebbles. You

[00:01:40] will take a step that won't be secure but just try again. It's not dangerous if you take care. Dalers walked forward. It was the change in the sound of the wind that alerted Mela that

[00:01:51] they had entered the cabin as bad as the shrieking was in the tunnel. It was even worse in the open air of the cabin and as it echoed from distant walls and the ceiling, it created an even more frightening sound. No wonder everyone thinks this tunnel is haunted.

[00:02:07] Mela muttered. Yes, and those who enter to prove their bravery, often slip on the path and don't return. Dalers stopped. And now the path is clear for a while. Just keep your hand on the wall to the right and

[00:02:21] follow me. We will pass some caves. They're empty and nothing more than dead ends. Just keep your hand prepared to touch the wall again once we pass the opening. I will. Dalers was right. The path was relatively flat and easy to navigate. Mela found herself

[00:02:37] peering into the back to the left. She could see nothing. It was clear that a huge opening was there. But it was as black as the cloak of the thieves. Just how big the Kazum actually was, Mela couldn't tell.

[00:02:50] The path ends here. What do you mean? I thought you said there was a path all the way down. Mela did her best not to sound nervous but it was difficult. Everything was so alien.

[00:03:02] The easy path. From here on out it is the small ridge I mentioned. It is not so steep you can't stand on it but it is still not flat. The real danger is that the pebbles may

[00:03:12] slip out from underfoot. It will be slow going, please do not be impatient. Trust me, I'll be going slower than you will. They moved forward and Mela could immediately tell what

[00:03:24] Dalers had meant. They weren't so much on a path as a slightly less steep part of a rocky cliff. She couldn't even use her boots to carve out support in the dirt as they were walking on rocks and stone. Almost immediately Mela's forward foot slipped but she caught

[00:03:39] her weight on her back foot and leaned toward the wall to stop from falling. Dalers turned back to her, the concern on her face lit by the flickering torch. Are you okay? Yes. Mela took a deep breath.

[00:03:53] That was good actually. I now have a feel for what it is like to have my boot slip. Dalers nodded. The torches are not helping however. They both had at least a half

[00:04:03] dozen torches tied to their backs. Mela noted that they wouldn't be in the cavern long enough to be weighed down so heavily but Dalers refused to budge on leaving a single torch behind, even going so far as saying that they should have stolen some food too.

[00:04:18] A green that it was too dangerous to venture back into the mine for food, they hoped for the best on that count. Do you want me to carry them? No, I'll manage. I'm just complaining.

[00:04:32] Mela smiled and Dalers returned it before turning back to the path. It was difficult to gauge time but Mela was certain that they had been incrementally moving downward for over an hour. How much longer? She asked. We're probably half way. Dalers turned and smiled.

[00:04:51] See, not so bad. The shift of her weight must have loosened some stones and to Mela's horror Dalers feet slid right out from under her. The torch was in her left hand

[00:05:04] and she held onto it rather than grab towards the wall. The flickering light made the surprise on Dalers face look even more frightening as she threw her right hand toward Mela in a desperate attempt to get her body on solid ground. Mela reached out and caught Dalers sleeve,

[00:05:22] planting her feet, Mela put all her weight back towards the cavern wall. Dalers desperately scrambled with her feet but they slid down toward the Kazim below and soon the only thing keeping her from falling was Mela's grip. Toss the torch, you can help climb up. Mela exclaimed,

[00:05:40] I can't. Dalers said through gritted teeth as she desperately tried to find a purchase for her feet. Darkness is death here. Dalers had rid herself of her armor but she was still not

[00:05:52] light and while Mela seemed to have solid footing there was always the possibility that she would slip too. Using all her strength she tried to pull Dalers up but it was no use. The harvest

[00:06:04] guard was too heavy to lift with one hand. Mela said through gritted teeth as she strained to hold on. I'm going to swing you, try to get back on the path with your hands and knees when I swing you high enough.

[00:06:19] Okay. Mela knew it was absurdly dangerous. Swinging Dalers only increased the pressure on Mela's unsure footing. It was entirely possible that they would both tumble down the cliff before Dalers found stable ground yet she knew it was the only option so she did it. It took a few

[00:06:40] swings before Dalers moved very far but when she did she cried out. There's a spot here I can feel it with my knee just swing me a little further. Mela gritted her teeth and swung harder. She was

[00:06:53] worried that she would lose her grip. The pressure on her fingers and shoulder filled her with searing pain. The only thing that gave her hope was that she appeared to have solid footing. With one

[00:07:05] more swing the torch slammed to the ground sputtered but didn't go out. The pressure on Mela's hand listened and she watched as Dalers scrambled on her knees up to the small path. Her right knee

[00:07:17] slipped again and Mela's heart fell, but Dalers tossed her body forward and against the wall. Huddled against the wall and at her feet practically prone on the path, Dalers lay still taking large breaths. As she did Mela watched as the torch is slowly slipped from the ropes on

[00:07:36] Dalers back and fell one by one into the abyss below but that didn't matter. Dalers was safe. Are you okay? Mela asked Dalernodd. Thank you you saved my life. She slowly pulled herself up along the wall and checked her footing.

[00:07:53] You would have done the same thing for me. Mela rubbed her hand. You did do the same thing for me. You saved me from a life in a cell. Dalers ignored the comment and touched her back with her freehand.

[00:08:07] I've lost my torch is. She sounded alarmed. It doesn't matter. I have five or six we should be Dalernodd but appeared concerned over the loss although Mela blamed that on her recent

[00:08:20] brush with death. Soon they would be free and the descent along the chasm would be a story they would use to regale their friends. After Dalers near fall they descended more slowly and reached the bottom two hours later. Mela immediately tossed herself onto the ground and lay on

[00:08:40] her stomach hugging their floor. I don't think a stone floor ever felt so wonderful. While Mela felt joy of a finally being on solid ground, Dalers was holding the torch up and waving it around, peering into the distance. There's the cart track we may have quite

[00:08:57] a bit of walking to do on this solid ground though. The cabin appears to have no end. Well there's only one way to find out. They followed the mine cart into the darkness,

[00:09:08] walking side by side. Dalers made a point of telling Mela to take care with her steps. They didn't know what kind of damage could have been done to the path, with caveins and landslides

[00:09:19] entirely possible within the mine. An hour later, Mela wasn't sure how far they had progressed when the cart path ended at what appeared to be a wooden loading dock of some sort. The wood was warped and decayed, Dalers walked around the structure. This is used for loading wagons.

[00:09:37] Dalers pointed to a collapsed wooden beam. That lifted the ore into the wagon via an operator. She walked away from the dock and into the distance, Mela hurried to catch up.

[00:09:48] We must be near the entrance, no? Mela asked. The wagons would need access to the road out of the mine. Dalers was standing still staring at the ground. Mela, what? She hurried over.

[00:10:02] This is the road. Mela looked down and Dalers was right. They were on a road that looked like it was paved with wide flat stones. Stone, who in their right mind paved the stone cave with a stone

[00:10:14] road. But that's exactly what it was, a road with packed dirt between flat stones. This makes no sense. Dalers replied walking further into the darkness. Mela followed looking at the ground. It was indeed a paved road in excellent condition with no grass obviously overgrowing

[00:10:34] it without any sunlight. Here's the other side. Mela shook her head. This is wide enough for two wagons maybe three to ride side by side. Well our path is at least clear we follow the road.

[00:10:47] They both looked up and down into the darkness of where the road led. But which direction? Mela asked. She was completely turned around. She had no idea which way led to the exit.

[00:10:58] Daler walked over to Mela and pointed at the torch. I think we follow the road in the direction from where the wind is blowing. The torch was flickering in the direction directly behind them. Together they looked up the road in the other direction.

[00:11:16] Looks like the wind is coming from that way. Mela said, the exit. Daler replied, yes and it shouldn't take long. Maybe it wind south and then out to the old quarter. So if we

[00:11:26] walk slowly and with care maybe a day? Daler nodded and they started down the road a joyful spring in their step. They would be free soon.