From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [21]
A gust of cold blew over him, raising gooseflesh on his arms. Sir Gavin had warned him not to leave his body. Why had he been so cocksure as to ignore the Great Whitewolf?
Stubborn man. What if he couldn’t get back?
He called to Duchess Amal. My lady, I am lost.
Why did you close your mind? Are you in danger?
No, my lady. I mean, I’m not certain. I entered the Veil. I hoped to see the enemy, but I drifted up and can’t get back.
Where is your body? Your physical body?
In an underground tunnel beneath the inner bailey, just outside the great hall.
One moment.
Achan’s gaze locked onto a flock of birds below him. How strange to see flying birds from above.
I have found your body, Your Highness. You say you drifted straight up?
Very far up. I cannot control my movement.
I am coming.
Carmine seemed even smaller below him now. He saw movement. Another bird? The mist of a cloud?
Then he saw her. Duchess Amal, soaring toward him like an eagle diving for a fish. Her arms at her sides, her body straight, her hair and dress smooth from her apparent speed. Her eyes fixed on his. She stopped before him and her hair and gown billowed out around her, floating on air.
She held out her hand. Shall we, Your Highness?
Breathless, he took her hand in his. Thank you.
She tucked his hand around her arm and pulled them down. Slowly. Down. Through a misty cloud.
Down. Toward Granton Castle. The stronghold grew beneath their feet.
Achan could see the battle to the west. They drifted back toward the inner bailey, to the left of the great hall. The ground came closer. Nearer. His feet were almost there.
They passed through the dirt. The odd sensation choked Achan. All light vanished. Down. Down.
Darkness.
How far? Did Duchess Amal know exactly where his body lay? What if they missed it and traveled all the way to the Lowerworld?
He concentrated on his body, hoping that might help the duchess somehow. Arman, help me find it.
Achan’s soul found its home in the wheeze of a sharp breath. He opened his eyes to blackness. The musty dirt and cool air were familiar, safe, reassuring.
This is one of the secret entrances to the castle, Duchess Amal said to his mind. There are two ways out. Back the way you came. Or, if you continue on, you will come to a ladder that leads to a door in the ground. You are closer to the castle than to the trapdoor. Shall I inform Sir Caleb which direction you will go so he can come meet you?
Achan heaved in another long, musty breath. I will continue to the trapdoor, my lady. I must… complete my task.
Fare you well, then.
Thank you, my lady.
Achan heaved himself up onto shaky legs, berating himself for such stupidity. The experience had drained his strength. At least he knew where he was headed now. He also knew there was no need to go there. The battle was far away, and Sir Caleb would likely be waiting, armed with a sour expression and hefty lecture.
Achan found his gloves on the floor and tucked them through his belt, checking again to make sure Ôwr was still there. He reached out until he found the dirt wall, then crept forward, keeping his right hand on the wall and his left hand stretched out to the blackness before him. Except for the occasional wooden post, the wall remained smooth dirt.
A needle pricked Achan’s temple. Sir Caleb Agros.
Achan clenched every muscle. He should answer. He’d been foolish to sneak away. Even more foolish to leave his body. Sir Caleb’s pointing that out would not change anything. It would only make Achan feel more inane. Perhaps he deserved such humiliation.
Sir Caleb did not enjoy losing control of a situation. Knowing Achan was safe would relieve his fears for a moment but—
Achan’s hand struck something solid. He ran his fingers along wide, smooth wood. They traced a cobwebbed corner, slid down a few inches and met another horizontal bar that went back the other way. A square.
He patted the wood with both hands. Wooden rungs, thick with cobwebs, ran up the wall. His stomach danced. He had found the ladder.
He climbed slowly, pausing after each grip to raise