Through the torches was the mouth of a cave. The boat soundlessly moved through the mouth, never altering it's speed. Emma squinted, trying to adjust to the darkness. As the boat moved on more torches became visible, lighting the way along the water. The cavernous walls were made of rough rock and they all remained deathly silent as the boat moved on and on. After what seemed like an age a group of torches became visible, as they got closer they could a small wooden dock protruding into the calm black water. It was barely noticeable that the boat slowed as it approached the dock, and there was only a slight jerk as the boat stopped at it.
'Guess this is our stop' remarked Regina as she stepped onto the dock and walked onto the rock ground. They all followed suit and tried to quieten their foot steps along the dock. When Emma stepped onto the solid ground she took a moment to look around. The cavernous walls were huge, the ceiling could only just be made out. There were multiple entry ways in the rock wall, all seeming to lead downwards. As she turned back towards the water she noticed the boat had gone. She opened her mouth to speak but Regina beat her to it.
'Right, looks like locating him will be our first task' she held her hand out to Emma with her palm up. 'Emma?' she queried as she watched Emma's hand fist round Killian's ring. Emma sighed and lifted the chain over her head and placed it in Regina's palm.
'Locating spell?' asked David, stepping to put a hand on Emma's shoulder.
'Yes' Regina said, not so patiently 'Locating the pirate will be helpful in this quest'
Snow stepped forward to speak as Regina held her hand up to silence her. A second later the ring floated and directed them along the side of the cave, passing the entrances that were visible.
'I'll go first' Regina's tone portrayed no room for discussion. 'Robin behind me with a torch, David you take the rear. Henry in the middle. Every one watch out for each other, we don't know who we may be lurking down here' She gave Emma a tight lipped smile 'But we will find him, just no one be rash' she set off walking following the ring.
Emma took a shaky breath and used a hand on Henrys shoulder to steer him in front of her. She wanted him in her sight.
They walked in silence for a while, passing different sized openings in the rock wall. Some were lit, some had noises echoing out of them. Voices, screams and running water could be heard from some. Regina stopped at a dark opening in the rock, causing them to all walk into each other. Emma heard Regina take a deep breath before saying 'Down we go' and stepping through the dark opening. The path was narrow and straight. It was a gradual downhill slope into darkness. The only sounds being their breathing and footfalls.
