Chereads / Gem Dream / Chapter 23 - 22 Nice day for a swim

Chapter 23 - 22 Nice day for a swim

Thief stripped down to his last pair of undergarments that looked as if they were ready for a graveyard an with half a ass cheek showing tied a ripe to his left ankle. Eric stepped quickly in front of Goldy so she wouldn't be embarrassed not that she was. After all nature was naked and in it natural state and she always had a hard time understanding let alone learning to be embarrassed due to it.

Crow asked if we needed him to observe again but Goldy had already sensed his fatigue and shook her head no. Thief was sitting partially in the water trying his best to adjust to the coldness when Melissa walked into the small enclosed area. Goldy and Eric were both shocked and couldn't believe their eyes.

Crow, finally broke the silence and quietly asked if she could cast the spell to follow thief's progress. He quickly explained what they were attempting to do and how this would be helpful if anyone wanted to make it out alive. Melissa face turned a bit red and she quickly looked down. Goldy swore later to Eric that she heard Melissa say alive would definitely be best.

Unannounced. to them the mages were, talking to certain people getting them ready for two options. Some were told to go to the back by the storage area when the head mage announced their great array while most were told to be ready to fight to the end when the cave was opened. The mages promised them that the array would only affect beasts and leave them unharmed.

When Melissa heard this she knew it was a big fat lie because this array would destroy all caught in its location and even beyond. Most likely it would no just destroy any that came within but also bring down the whole main encampment area. Now she knew that what Eric had whispered was the truth and all here would soon die unless their plan worked so she turned and ran to join them.

On the way she remembered her past many cruelties and judgements ringing in her ears, shocked by even remembering her petty behaviors when life should be about so much more. Looking back over her whole life she was surprised that they had considered her even if she could help.

However when she saw them and thought back their party members and people had always come first. No matter their status, race or differences they always did their best to fight and survive together. No one was too different or even too weird for them to accept in this they were just like the doctor and his wife.

Still in shock about what the mages were saying she didn't knew what to say, Crow helped her out by speaking up about their plan. Once she understood what she needed to do, Melissa snapped back into her mage duties and even with her cheeks growing red at Thief's situation she cast the spell and poured her concentration into its control and proper duration.

Melissa gave Thief a nod and the splash and darkness surrounded him signaled that the spell was working. A small ball of light floated in front of them lighted the way was one of Goldy's spells and The if was grateful for it. This first section was the longest and so he focused solely on swimming and tried not to count.

Melissa signaled for them to be quiet, Thief was coming to what looked looked like solid wall but they knew it was a switchback how wide was something they needed to determine. If he used his hands to feel around the sharp corner which also twisted slightly downward it seemed to be shaped like a U that then slowly curved downward.

Close to two minutes had already passed and he had only covered about half the distance he needed too. So once cleared he kicked off and pushed himself harder, Thief knew it would burn his oxygen faster but he needed to make it to the air hole to save them all. His lungs were starting to burn as well as his eyes as he searched for any space to allow him to breath.

Three minute mark hit and he was still looking, lungs burning and throat screaming he refused to quit and keep swimming. Finally as his lungs were about to burst and his consciousness was fading when his hand reached upward and felt nothing. Next his head with air bursting out was finally able to take in air. For the rest of his life he would never forget to bless the gods for its life giving abilities.

After longer then it should have taken his mind was ready to continue his trip and so he followed the air pocket till it was gone and dunk into darkness again. This continued. over and over until finally he came out into the other cave opening. Dryness had never felt so good even if it was still inside a cave he was free of the water.

After a bit he was rested enough to tie off the rope and with a new light ball to show him the way found a small but perfectly usable way out. Darkness was coming but looking around he found no beast or even signs of any, in fact a small number of rabbit holes would provide him a quick meal and as always he was starving.

Eric escorting Rock and Melissa back to the main group to inform them of the discovery thought they were bringing good news. Meanwhile Crow was watching over Goldy who had exhausted her power and needed to rest. Thief had started a fire and begun cooking his meal never so happy to be free even if alone.

Upon arriving back at the main encampment the priests were reading last rites and mages were resting up for their last efforts. All the rest were watching the priest of staring with deadeyes at the cave front. It was as if they had all given up and were already half ways dead. Upon being seen they were surrounded by the Princes guards and shoved towards his private enclosed area.