Trapped

Chapter Two

The sides and roof of the tunnel pressed in on Athos as he stepped carefully inside. The floor was uneven and scattered with loose stones. After ten paces he saw thick pieces of wood fastened to the walls and across the roof like the joists of a ceiling. The floor began to slope downwards.

He could hear Aramis' harsh breathing behind him and knew his friend was no more comfortable than he was in this confined space. In his mind the weight of the rocks above his head began to press down on him. He swallowed to clear his throat and licked his dry lips.

The atmosphere was oppressive and dust laden making every breath a trial. Aramis stifled a cough but the sound still echoed around them. Athos turned and put a warning finger to his lips. They proceeded as quietly as they could, stopping periodically to listen. Only silence answered them. They passed through more of the wooden posts bracing the walls and roof.

After what felt like an eternity the shaft widened and gave out into a large cavern. Athos gripped his sword and waved the torch from side to side. The light was too feeble to reach the far walls. There were a hundred places two desperate men could wait in ambush.

With only one torch between them and no natural light they couldn't split up to search. Then, as his eyes adjusted, Athos realised there was some light pouring through a hole in the roof far above them. As he gazed at it he felt a movement in the air.

"Aramis!" he yelled.

A hard body barreled into him causing him to stumble backwards. He felt a sharp pain across the top of his right arm as a knife sliced through the skin. He heard a struggle behind him but had his own opponent to worry about. He had kept hold of the torch and lashed out with it. A face came into focus as he drew his sword. It was like looking at some murderous gargoyle as light and shadow warred with each other.

The man closed on him again and Athos lunged with his sword. His opponent twisted and the blade scored his side. He gave a hiss and withdrew. For a time they tested each other's skill with the blade. The man was huge and Athos wasn't keen on allowing him within his reach. Holding the torch affected his balance causing him to compensate. Finally, he saw an opening, engaged his opponent's sword and twisted. It went flying. At the same moment the man stepped out of the light.

Their momentum had carried them some way from the entrance. As Athos slowly turned round he caught the merest glimpse of movement headed toward the tunnel. He could still hear Aramis and the other fugitive, their breathing labored. He dropped his sword and drew his main gauche before running in the direction of the tunnel. He caught up and lashed out with his dagger. Hard fingers closed on his wrist and twisted. With a sharp cry of pain he dropped the weapon.

He was as proficient in close quarter unarmed fighting as he was with his various weapons. However, he was handicapped by the torch. He flung it in the direction of his opponent who instinctively flinched away from it. Then they were locked together, each trying to get enough purchase to throw the other. Athos was smaller and quicker but the man he was fighting had the advantage of strength and reach. He caught Athos in a bear hug and flung him backwards. Athos' back collided with the wooden support at the entrance to the tunnel. A small avalanche of stones fell from the roof. Before he could recover, a blow to his jaw propelled him back again. The support beam creaked.

Athos ducked and sent his fist into the other man's stomach. It gave him a few seconds breathing space before he found himself fighting for his life again. There is no art to fighting in a confined space. It was hard and brutal with each man in turn colliding with the uneven rock walls. Athos' breath came in harsh pants as they traded blows. Once again he found himself pinned against the support beam which shifted slightly. Hands around his throat were squeezing the senses from him. In desperation he lashed out with his foot catching the man in the groin. He was released as his opponent stumbled backwards.

Before Athos could press his advantage there was a sharp crack and the beam holding up the roof split in two. Rocks began to fall, small at first. The whole shaft seemed to groan. The other man shot him a terrified glance before turning and running for the distant entrance.

"Aramis! Get out of there." Athos backed up as more rocks fell, getting larger and heavier. "Aramis!"

The torrent of rocks increased until Athos could no longer see into the cavern. He was forced back as a whole section of the ceiling collapsed. The dust made breathing almost impossible but it didn't occur to him to leave. The noise, echoing around him, was ear shattering.

Gradually the situation stabilized and Athos saw that a large pile of rocks blocked the entrance to the cavern. So far as he could estimate it was at least six feet deep. Heedlessly he began to pull rocks away, his gloves giving little protection from the sharp edges. After several mindless minutes he stopped and really looked at the barrier. It would take more than one man with his bare hands to clear a path. Because of the narrowness of the tunnel they would also have to carry the rocks outside. Many pieces were so large they would have to be broken up with a pickaxe. It seemed a hopeless task but Athos wouldn't rest until his brother was freed.

He set off back up the tunnel and burst out into the daylight. He found Porthos and d'Artagnan standing by the horses, the fugitive gripped tight in Porthos' capable hands.

"He bolted out of there like a frightened rabbit," Porthos reported with satisfaction.

D'Artagnan looked at Athos and frowned. "What's wrong? Where's Aramis?"

Athos took a gulp of clean air and looked wordlessly at his friends.

"Athos?" d'Artagnan said urgently. "Where is he?"

"There was a cave in." Athos realised that his voice was shaking. "The tunnel's blocked. Aramis is either behind the rocks or…under them." He looked at them in anguish. "And, I don't know which."

Tbc