Darkin A Journey East - By Joseph A. Turkot Page 0,53

next sleep, a strange noise broke the choral chirping of crickets. It did not come from the forest at their sides, but from directly ahead; Slowin and Flaer heard it at once also, and recognized it for the clonking of hooves and rolling of iron wheels against the gravel.

“Quick, past that glade,” whispered the golem. He ran off the road through a small clearing and into a patch of trees, trying to act furtively against the will of his enormous frame. Flaer and Adacon quickly followed, and soon they found themselves in a tall thicket hidden from the road. Quietly they watched through a tangled knot of branches as a horse drawn carriage clanked along the gravel path heading west. There were three horses, all jet black, tugging a carriage draped in maroon canvas; it had foreign gold lettering stitched down its side. The front of the carriage was illuminated by two small torches. Adacon realized that had Slowin not been bandaged and clothed so heavily, the torchlight would have reflected off Slowin’s metallic skin. Still, as it was, they hid unseen, and the carriage rattled on and away leaving them behind.

“Who were they?” Adacon whispered.

“Slave traders out of Saru Gnarl. I think it would be unwise to stay upon the road any longer, especially with the coming daylight. Carriages will increase as we get close to the city,” Slowin said, and Flaer agreed with a nod.

“Then what can we do?”

“Take to the forest—seek the golem entrance to the bay,” Slowin replied, and before Adacon could ask what the golem entrance to the bay was, Slowin had already hustled deeper into the woods. Flaer quickly followed, with Adacon bringing up the rear, and they cut away from the gravel road on a course southeast through the wilderness.

* * *

The forest chattered with life around the travelers, and strange insects thronged about, biting whatever open flesh was available. Slowin, of course, was not bothered by the bugs, and he led them quickly along as if he knew the way. They reached a wide clearing; set like a gem in the middle was a small pond mirroring the stars above. About the rim of the pond were crumbling stone structures that looked ancient, barely visible in the dim light—Adacon thought they could have once been statues of tree-nymphs. Something stirred in the water, and Slowin brought them to a halt.

“Where are we?” asked Adacon.

“This is the golem entrance to the bay,” Slowin replied.

“But I don’t see any entrance.”

“It’s underneath the water, through a tunnel pass,” said Slowin, and then the enormous golem suddenly dove headfirst into the water. Adacon looked to Flaer who smiled, and then back to the water in apprehension.

“Come on,” Slowin splashed, resurfacing like a fountain and spraying mist at them. For a moment Adacon forgot where he was, fascinated that Slowin could stay afloat given his great metal body.

“But I have never swam before; I don’t know how to,” Adacon admitted with horror. Flaer pointed at Adacon’s breast plate and then jumped into the dark water.

“Going to have to leave the armor. Take your sword and bow,” said Slowin.

“I don’t know if I could even do it with the sword,” Adacon worried, taking off his armor.

“Leave it then,” Slowin said.

“Let me try first,” Adacon said as he ran with a start at the water, tripping in near the edge with a splash. Slowin and Flaer bobbed on the surface watching patiently for Adacon to come up. After several moments bubbles rose to the surface and Adacon burst up gasping for air. Flaer looked to Slowin who made no motion to interfere. Adacon continued to writhe in the water, going under once more only to reappear, swinging pitifully.

“Help, I’m drowning!” Adacon yelped, swallowing a mouthful of cold water. Slowin hesitated no longer and heaved Adacon from below, flinging the slave up on onto the dry earth once more, soaking and in shock.

“Lose the sword,” Slowin directed.

“But I’ll drown even without it,” Adacon coughed.

“No you won’t, the pass is short. You’ll only be under for a minute.”

“But I can’t, I’ll die…” Adacon whimpered. Flaer appeared irritated.

“Let’s go—back in. Leave the bow and arrows too; there will be more where we’re going anyhow,” Slowin ordered.

Adacon hesitantly dropped his quiver and bow, leaving them beside his sword near the edge of the water.

“Now in, see if you can try holding your breath under the water,” Slowin persuaded.

“I don’t know—”

“There’s no time to spare, unless you wish to be found by the slave