Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [128]
“Too bad we can’t take some with us,” Fifer says, longingly.
“Come on,” James says to them, “we need to get out of here.”
Moving further down the mine, they come to a section where the breeze seems to intensify and suddenly the flame of the torch looks as if it’s being sucked straight up. James looks up to the ceiling and can see a dark hole extending upward. “I think this is it,” he announces as he tosses the torch to the ground.
“But how do we get up there?” Miko asks as he looks up.
Jiron tosses his torch up into the hole and the light illuminates a slanted narrow opening, about four foot square, ten feet above their heads. “If we can get up there, it looks like we can brace ourselves along the sides as we make our way up,” he tells them.
He looks to Fifer and says, “Lift me up.” He hands his torch to Miko.
Fifer comes over and cups his hands together to give Jiron a step up. When Jiron puts his foot in his hands, he lifts him up to the hole.
Jiron reaches up and is able to get a solid handhold within the hole. Getting a solid purchase with his foot as well, he begins to slowly move further up into the vent. They hear his voice coming down to them, “It’s not too steep, the sides are rough and give ample places to grip.”
They see him beginning to come back down but stops when he gets to the edge. “James, can you make an orb for me to use?” he asks.
A small circle of light forms in James’ hands and then begins to rise up to Jiron. It floats up until it comes to rest on his right shoulder. “Thanks,” they hear him say as he works his way back up the vent.
“Miko, you’re next,” James says as he cups his hands to give him a boost.
“I’m not so sure about this,” he says. He glances up to the vent, the light from the orb clearly showing the opening.
“You can do it,” James says. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Not looking too excited about the prospect of the climb, he tosses the torch to the ground. Coming over, he steps into James’ cupped hands and reaches for the opening as James grunts with the effort to lift him. Jiron is there and takes his hand as he maneuvers into the vent.
“Fifer, you better let James go next,” Jiron’s voice comes down to them. “He’d never make it on his own.”
Coming over to James, Fifer cups his hands. James places his foot in Fifer’s cupped hands and reaches for the opening as Fifer lifts him up.
Jiron has already moved further up the vent and Miko is slowly following him. James grabs hold of outcroppings and places his other foot in a crack in the wall. Lifting his foot out of Fifer’s hands, he begins to follow Miko as he moves up into the vent.
He goes another foot up before pausing. “How are you going to get up?” he hollers back to Fifer.
“Not a problem,” he hears him say from below. James hears several of the picks being moved around and then all of a sudden, Fifer’s head appears at the opening. Using handholds, he brings himself up into the vent.
From further toward the front of the mine, they hear a loud rumbling and the vent begins to shake. “Cave-in!” hollers Miko.
When the vent stops shaking, James says, “The beams that caught fire must have given way.”
“Or they collapsed the mine entrance, figuring to trap us here until we die,” suggests Fifer.
“It’s a possibility,” agrees James.
Moving slowly, they continue their way up the vent. Each holds with hands while they find a solid purchase for their feet and then brace their feet as they reach further up for another handhold. Back and forth from handhold to foothold, they continuously work their way up the vent. After what seems a long time, the vent begins to move more vertical and the handholds and toeholds become more difficult to manage.
Aaaah!
From up ahead, they hear Jiron exclaim loudly. “What’s wrong!” hollers James.
He then hears Miko cry out as he loses his grip and begins to slide down toward him. Falling for