Remedy

Chapter One The Treasure Hunter-2

Each rapid breath was perfectly timed with the hard impact of his boots upon the floor. The light at his own feet was slowly being overpowered from the increasing glow behind him. A light that was not fading, but growing ever larger to become visible in his peripheral vision.

The glimmer of metal reflecting in the expanding light caught his attention just moments before his damp hand slid down the surface of an overly large door. Within it, clearly illuminated, lay a smaller, locked door. Taking his dagger he wedged it between the securing bolt. The trembling of his hands forced him to muster control over his panicked breathing, but fear warned him of the increasing darkness of his shadows. The three perfect copies, one from each angle of expanding light, were growing more solid, darker, warning him how near his pursuer drew.

With great effort he forced his gaze to remain steadfast on the bolt. Tensing his muscles against the tremors he prised it from the wooden structure. The echoing sound of metal set his nerves further on edge. He shoved the door, surprised how easily it opened as he tumbled forwards into what would have once been a street. Scrambling to his feet he hastily slammed the door, pressing his body firmly against it until his commonsense caused him to question the use of such an action.

Rob's frantic vision searched the area before him. Whilst he could have marvelled at the eloquence and beauty of the buildings, which lined the cracked paved streets, his mind had turned to survival. He beheld only shelter and shadows, where brilliant structures and architecture were in abundance. His footsteps echoed, the only sound through an otherwise silent tomb.

Dark buildings towered over him, their blackened windows not quite concealing the flickers of movement his mind warned him came from within. The hairs on the back of his neck began to prickle again, causing him to glance upwards as he took shelter beneath one of the many archways that littered the winding streets.

The small voice in the back of his mind, the one he often trusted to keep him safe, told him the portal was higher, that he needed to gain height, and quickly. He called this voice commonsense. The portals were always close to the surface. But he was a stranger to this area. With the vast monuments he could see little before him, although the roaring of water cascading down from one of the aqueducts became increasingly more prevalent.

He followed this sound until his sight fell upon a central reservoir. The amount of water being deposited was a clear indication that only a small portion was visible above ground. Edging forwards, confident the roaring of water would disguise his rapid footfall. He worked his way up what appeared to be a stone staircase beside the thundering torrent. It was only on closer inspection that he noticed the water descended an identical structure, separated from this one by a small channel. He looked above, hoping the dry texture of this stone signified its lack of use.

Crouching near the top of the aqueduct he surveyed the area. The bridges were joined, creating a complex outer ring to the basin this city had been constructed within. Several channels, similar to the one he had just climbed, descended in various locations, all depositing the water collected as it cascaded down the basin's cliffs from numerous sluice gates. Small sections of the outer ring had crumbled away, sending waterfalls crashing down into unseen depths.

He walked the stone canal, keeping a constant vigil on his surroundings as he followed his new path over the city. As yet he could not discern a way to scale the basin; but there was bound to be something near the outer ring, a means to access the sluice gates in case of failure. He just needed to find it.

The aqueducts forming the outer ring were larger and wider than the one he had so carefully walked. He felt safe upon its thick stone platform, but still his pace never faltered. He felt the staggering clumsiness of each hurried step. His body visibly recoiled as the familiar wail sounded from above.

He forced his limbs to work harder, his stomach tightening as the roar of water from the damaged bridge before him grew louder. The waterfall, seeming so small from his initial vantage point, now appeared in all its splendour, ever growing, monstrous. The cries from behind forbade him from rethinking his path, but the almost inaudible churning of heavy waterwheels below warned of an equally fatal danger. He would rather attempt this jump than offer himself as a feast.

His feet left the bridge. Every muscle tensed, adding extra force to the leap, but still he knew it would not be enough. Grasping his crossbow tightly he let out a cry, drawing the attention of his pursuers, spurring them into action before they lost their prey to the depths. He released the bolt as the first shadow sailed above him. The agonised cry came as audible evidence his aim had been true. He rotated his hand, securing the tether as the rope grew taut. The struggling efforts of the creature lifted him higher as it attempted to flee. Water whipped around him as he was dragged through the spray, his grip remaining firm as the creature continued its frantic flight.

Gasping for breath Rob scrutinised the area below, noticing for the first time the thick heavy chains which operated the counterweights to open and close the sluice gates. They had cleared the break, and covered a surprising distance given the obvious fatigue of his carrier. Pulling himself up he unhooked the tether before uncoiling it from his grasp, hoping his judgement was correct. He braced himself for impact, rolling as he struck the ground. With barely enough time to confirm his path he rolled again. Putting extra force into the movement he propelled himself from the aqueduct towards one of the chains, hoping he had gauged it correctly. He fell several feet before his extended arms impacted with the chain. He could but hope his pursuers had thought him lost to the currents below.

He dared not pause to catch his breath. He had to push onward and upward to what appeared to be a dark ledge above the sluice gates. Reaching it was his only hope of escape. Grasping the thick chain in his hands he used the large links as a ladder, knowing if negotiated correctly it would shield and protect him while he climbed.

When he had scaled half the chain's length he felt it shudder beneath his weight. From above the sound of grinding gears began to echo. He closed his eyes briefly before redoubling his efforts. The leathery beating of wings and the flurry of movement below caused his stomach to lurch in time with the chain.

Whilst some sluice gates seemed to remain permanently open, others appeared to release when the pressure reached a required force. Their timing most likely calculated to ensure the continued movement of the great waterwheels he had seen within the aqueducts. It made sense, people with the ability to erect such a place would also incorporate a method to ensure water could gather to the strength needed. It also made sense that a newly opening source would attract predators. Not only water would be carried from the land above.

Rob tightened his grip as the mechanism shuddered once more before dropping slightly. He turned his attention to the chain running parallel to his own. His had lowered as that one had risen. With a deep intake of breath he tentatively transferred his weight across to the rough surface of the corroded wall, not fully releasing his grasp until he was certain it was safe. As quickly as he dared he edged across, his fingers and feet utilising water-worn ridges and crevices.

The grinding sound echoed again, sending a flurry of shadows from below up into the air, racing upwards past him as the wall at his fingertips began to grow damp. A second wave followed, the force of their movement knocking him off balance and into the flock. Their rapid movement battered him as he fell, knocking him aside until he felt the force of the chain strike him. He clawed desperately at the metal, wrapping his limbs around the link and tightly interlocking them until all movement from below had halted. His body protested against the prolonged exertion and injuries, while his adrenaline, coupled with his mind, channelled it away to be dealt with at a later time. Right now he could only focus on surviving.

It was only once he fully regained his balance he became aware of the roaring sound of the water, and the gradual rising of the chain as the gate opened the remaining way. The creatures played, delighting in catching their live prey as they raced up and down the cascading waterfall feasting on all caught within its currents.

When the chain's movement stopped he was still several feet from what he had thought was a ledge. His stomach tightened as he realised the darkness had been formed by a change in the rock's stratum, giving the impression of depth. That left him only one option, the water tunnel. If the water was, as he believed, channelled from above, it had to enter from a portal of some description. If he followed the tunnel perhaps he could find an escape.

The water had begun to slow, indicating its resources had been depleted. Rob was certain this meant the gate would soon close once more. Before he had time to reconsider he reached out towards the wall, working his way across towards the gated opening. Like the city below it was large, the gaps more than adequate for him to force himself through and land arms first in the shallow water that remained undrained. He waded through the ankle deep water. Its gentle current, while forceful, was not enough to delay him.

The tunnel was short, ending abruptly with a stepladder leading down into a cylindrical passage. His heart hammered in his chest as relief swelled through him, looking down he could see the night sky, and a familiar arrangement of stars. He scratched his head for a moment, frowning. He had never seen a portal such as this one before, one where his own world was inverted. Jets of water erupted, entering the tunnel in small angled sprays as he wondered how he could escape the portal when the gravity of his own world became the dominant force. That was something he could address shortly, for now, there was no more time to delay. With a deep breath, and still weighted with concern, he jumped.

Rob saw the sky rushing towards him. His arms flailing in panic, not even realising the sky was a reflection until he broke the water's surface. The portal had exited near the churning paddle blades of an old waterwheel, sending him tumbling into the river below.

The raging currents battered and pulled him towards the turning wheel. Surfacing, he gulped for air trying desperately to break free of its snare and swim to the shore. The currents dragged him down, the churning motion of the mill audible even through the silence of the water. He struggled against the seething undertow. His limbs burned and energy rapidly diminished as he fought the slow, painful battle until his knees struck the incline of the riverbed. His fingers clawed at the river's bank as he pushed himself forwards until his trembling arms gave way beneath him.

Rob dragged himself up, still lying partially in the river as his strength faded. He was aware of the icy coldness of the lapping water, but lacked the strength to move. Then finally, with great effort, he managed to turn over. His eyes became transfixed on the rhythmic turning of the waterwheel. The strange sound of the moving water gripped his attention as it cascaded from the paddles to fall into the portal he had only moments ago emerged from.