Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

the direction of the phrenic councilor. She was blissfully oblivious to the true intent of his interruption.

“There is information that must be brought to light that will be revealed only under the strictest confidence that mention of it will never leave this room,” Paasek demanded. “I’ll have all of your agreements before I continue.”

Paasek waited with arms crossed as all acknowledged his demands. When all present had voiced their acceptance, he relaxed slightly as he continued

“The founders of our great city went to incredible lengths to ensure the continued survival of Vim,” he explained. “As all are aware, there were but two exits from the city. One has now been all but sealed off with the uncertainty surrounding the advances of the Horde.”

He paused leaning forward in his chair, his elbows resting on the large table.

“There is far too much danger in sending you through the forest,” Paasek continued. “There is, however, another way.”

Nielix sprang to his feet, anger burning in his eyes.

“Is this another lie, yet another deception from our hallowed phrenic?” he spat.

“Enough, Vigil,” Lenu screamed as she shot to her feet. “Need I remind you already of the oath you’ve just taken. This was information that has been kept in confidence by the Council for a thousand cycles. Your anger is unwarranted and unproductive. You can be removed from this expedition at any time.”

For a moment it appeared that a struggle waged inside the embattled Vigil’s mind as he teetered on the verge of continuing his verbal assault.

“Sit,” Lenu growled. “Now.”

Deflated by the rage of the councilor, Nielix flopped down onto the stone bench without a word. His arms crossed, his head down. Lenu remained standing, though her voice softened a touch.

“Please carry on, Councilor Paasek,” she hissed. Paasek glared at the downtrodden guard.

“As I was saying, the Council has guarded the secret for ages,” Paasek continued. “In the case that the outer walls were overrun, there is an alternative means for escape.”

He paused to take a sip from the water cup on the table in front of him.

“It wasn’t long after the founding of Vim that the discovery was made,” Paasek explained. “Within the mines, there is a long since shuttered shaft leading west. The miners delved deep, striking the edge of the underground river, flooding their path forward. A small survey tunnel was hastily dug from where the water level stopped, reaching the bank of the river a short distance later.”

“Join me,” Paasek announced, motioning for the group to approach the large stone table that the councilors sat behind. Carefully arranged on the top was a large map detailing the Kingdom of Damaris. Ryl shuddered as his eyes were immediately drawn to the rectangular portion in the southwestern corner.

To The Stocks.

The western edge of the map was marked with a nearly straight line of mountains. The range ran from where The Stocks ended to the edge of the Frozen Sea, far to the north. Paasek placed his finger down, roughly in the middle of the line of mountains.

“The river runs under the mountains, continuing west from Vim, to where it feeds into the Sunfall Lake, the western of the Sister Lakes,” he said as his finger traced a line across the map, stopping as it came to a rest over the westernmost of the two large lakes that dominated the center of the map. “Between the Sunfall Lake and the mountains lays an inhospitable area known as The Crags. The jagged rock formations there form a deadly labyrinth that stretches for miles in every direction.”

Paasek lifted his finger from the map.

“Along the bank of the river, runs a narrow path, in places, no wider than a meter,” Paasek whispered. “It has been a long time, ages in fact, since the journey has been last attempted, yet it is in the center of The Crags that the hidden tunnel exits the mountains.”

“How long is the tunnel?” Andr asked.

“The exact measurements are not known,” Irie answered for the Council. “The estimates are it that is stretches several hundred miles.”

Andr let out a low whistle.

“So we may be underground in excess of a week?” he quizzed.

“Aye, that looks to be the case,” Paasek groaned. “A stash of bedrolls, lanterns, fuel and torches and an ample supply of gold coin have already been secreted away at the head of the tunnel. I’m afraid there will be no celebration, no parades to lead you out of the city. You will vanish tonight under the cover of darkness.”

“What about the rest of Vim?” Nielix complained. “There will be questions that will need answering. The people will not be kind when your deceit is uncovered. Again.”

Ryl could feel the anger growing in Paasek, though the councilor did an admirable job maintaining his composure.

“That is a problem you needn’t worry about, Nielix. We have not come to this decision lightly. The explanation and any repercussions will be ours to bear,” Councilwoman Irie intoned. “You have your task ahead of you. Maintain your focus where it is required. There will be true tests that lay ahead.”

“How will we find the exit to the tunnel?” Ryl asked. “And once we are free of the darkness, how will we find our way through the maze of The Crags?”

“The tunnel had been reported to have no offshoots from the main path,” Paasek continued with his description. “Be wary, should you encounter anything within. There were no signs of any creatures lingering in the dark, yet rumors of unexplained noises abound.”

The thought of unseen attackers in the night harkened back memories that Ryl had worked to suppress. The lingering nightmares from the cycles past were all too real. The vicious, clawed hands that struck out from every angle in the dark. He shook his head, ridding the thought as he concentrated on Paasek’s words.

“The exit to the tunnel is guarded much in the same way the entrance to Vim is disguised. The phrenics will know the way to unlock it,” Paasek explained. “As for The Crags, once you’re