Legacy of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [119]
We could see a short distance down the tunnel by the light reflecting off the rocks. Scylla was nowhere in sight.
“Back!” Mosiah urged, and he started herding Eliza and me down the tunnel. “Back the way we came! We can hold out—”
“Psst! Over here!” came a piercing whisper.
A hand waved at us from the darkness.
An arm attached to the hand appeared and Scylla emerged from the shadows. “I’ve found another chamber. We can hide in here and keep watch!”
Eliza gave Mosiah a reproachful glance and went to join Scylla. I started after her. Mosiah clamped hold of my arm.
“Do you remember another chamber in the cave the last time we were inside it?”
I shook my head. “But it was dark and confused.”
“Wasn’t it,” Mosiah said coolly.
The chamber Scylla had found was located directly across the tunnel from where we had been standing. It provided a clear view of a small cavern. Two Technomancers, in their silver masks and robes, stood guard outside the entrance.
Long minutes passed. Nothing happened, and the thought occurred to me that Simkin had been right about one thing, at least. The Technomancers must have felt their prisoners were secure and that we were far away. Either that or the prisoners were not in there at all. I was wondering if Simkin had led us on a wild-goose chase when one of the Technomancers spoke.
“Time to check on them,” he said.
The other nodded and turned on his heel, took a step, and fell headlong, sprawling on the cavern floor.
“Son-of-a-bitch!” the man swore as he picked himself up.
“What the hell happened to you?” his companion asked, turning to stare.
“I fell over a rock! That rock!” The Technomancer glared and pointed.
“Well, watch where you’re going next time.”
The Technomancer stared balefully at the rock. “I’ll swear, that wasn’t there before.”
“You’re just clumsy,” said the other Technomancer, shrugging.
“No, I’m serious. I’ve been in and out of this blasted prison cell thirty times today and I’ll swear that rock wasn’t there!” The Technomancer picked it up. “I’ll be damned!” he said, amazed. “This rock has . . . eyes!”
Those of us hunkered down in the chamber exchanged glances. None of us said the word, but we were all thinking it.
Simkin.
“What the devil are you two doing? Standing there discussing a rock,” came another voice. I recognized it and so did Mosiah.
“Smythe!” he whispered.
“If you’ve taken up geology,” Smythe continued, “do it on your time. Not mine.”
The two Technomancers snapped to attention. Smythe appeared, coming from the direction of the cavern entrance. He was not wearing the business suit in which I’d last seen him, but was dressed in the robes, trimmed in gold, that he’d worn in the hologram. His face was in the light and it was a good thing I had recognized him from his voice. I might not have done so otherwise. The face that had been so handsome and charming was grim and contorted with suppressed rage. Four bodyguards in silver trooped after him.
“But, sir, look at this rock—”
“Is it darkstone?” Smythe demanded impatiently.
“No, sir, it doesn’t appear to be. Ordinary limestone, maybe. But it—”
“Darkstone is the only rock in which I’m interested. Toss it in the river.”
The Technomancer looked again at the rock and seemed to want to argue. A glance at Smythe’s scowling face, and the Technomancer gave a heave, flung the rock into the dark, swiftly flowing water.
I could swear that I heard a faint indignant shriek as the rock sailed through the air. It hit the water with a splash and sank . . . like a rock.
“How are the prisoners?” Smythe asked. “Any change?”
“That Joram’s growing worse, sir. He won’t be with us long if he doesn’t get help.”
Eliza, beside me, made a choked sound. “Hush!” Scylla breathed.
Mosiah cast them both a warning glance. I found Eliza’s hand. Her flesh was chill to the touch. Her fingers tightened convulsively around mine.
“I’m going to talk to Joram,” Smythe was saying. “If he’s that bad off, he may be willing to cooperate. Two of you come with me. The rest of you wait outside.”
Smythe