“Augh!” Bohga shouted. Some of the arrows had blood on them, some did not as the hide of the titan was thicker in places.

  “I’m so sorry Bohga but that’s ten arrows.”

  “You’re doing well!” The cyclops huffed in pain. “How many more are there?”

  “A few more each, I think.”

  “Then you must continue. Quickly.” He groaned. “Quickly.” All the companions exchanged concerned glances as they each stepped in close, dropped the bolts they had and grasped another arrow in each fist.

  “Here it comes again.” She patted him on the back attempting to soothe him. “Ready? Now!” Everyone yanked again, pulling ten more out of the titan.

  “Auuuugghh!” Bohga cried out, pounding his fists on the floor. “No more!”

  “There’s still a few more.” Hoxley said. Be brave. One more time and we’re done.”

  “You can do it.” Prince Damron offered. “If you can sling boulders at invaders, you can handle one more.”

  “What a fine compliment, your highness.” The titan said with big tears trickling out from both sides of his enormous eye. “If you think I can do it then I shall. One more time, dear Hoxley!”

  “You heard him!” Hoxley said, grasping the top two as everyone crowded in for one more turn. Siouxsie and Morell couldn’t find a pair each and in turn both grasped the remaining arrow with one hand.

  “Bohga, I’m sorry. I know it hurts but this is about to be over. Ready? One last time, Now!” The companions pulled the last ones free and the cyclops let out a pitiful roar of pain. By now, his entire back was slicked with blood from the wounds as they wept. With a wave of his hand, everyone scattered and he leaned backward to plop himself upon the stone floor.

  “Ohhhhhhhh, Oh my, the cool rock does feel good on my skin.” He said.

  Muffled shouts and pounding noises came from the gaps around the boulder blocking the entrance. Scraping and thumping about the edges signaled the men were trying to get in.

  “What are we going to do now?” Morell asked?

  “Can’t you two use your demon spells to get rid of them?” The prince asked the witches.

  “Demon spells?” The twins asked in unison. “What’s are demon spells?”

  “Magic! Spells! Hexes! Magic!” Aren’t you witches?”

  “Yes, we’re witches.” Siouxsie said, crossing her arms. “But you have to learn spells over time! It takes a lifetime to learn them all. Robert summons fire, and I can summon lightning.”

  “Then do it! Make them go away!”

  “That’s not how it works.” said Robert. “To use fire and lightning you have to be able to see what you’re using it against. Casting blind is dangerous and we’d probably torch ourselves to a crisp attempting such a crazy idea. We can’t see anything with the boulder in place and with all the noise they’re making out there I really wouldn’t if I could!”

  “So, what are we going to do?” reiterated Morell as he began to panic. “The way is shut! There’s no way out! We’re trapped!”

  “Is that right, Bohga?” Hoxley asked the cyclops as she helped him to remove his metal helm. “Is there really no other way out?”

  “There is another way,” the cyclops panted, finally wrestling himself free of the armor. “But it is dangerous.”

  “More or less dangerous than being surrounded by soldiers with swords?” Robert asked.

  “I cannot say whether more or less dangerous but it is an option should you choose…” Bohga said, pushing himself from the floor to sit up again.

  “Then tell us what you know.” Hoxley asked him with a comforting hand upon his.

  “Then listen well. At the back of my cave is a chamber that leads into a series of long passages that head west and emerge on the other side of the woods that line the crest of this valley. It is known only to me.”

  “A hidden passage?” The Prince asked. Why didn’t you say so? You can lead us through it!”

  “That would be impossible.” Bohga said whilst slumping with fatigue. When I was very young and at my smallest I could almost make it through before I had to turn back. I could see sunlight but could not continue then. I am now six times the size I once was. Hoxley is the biggest of you and she should be able to fit, but as for me, I will not be able to go with you.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “We’re not going to leave you behind.” Hoxley told him.

  “Forgive me, Hoxley.” he said “But I know this is your only chance to escape. I do not know whether the men with their weapons will be able to get inside, but I do know that if you go now, you will escape.”

  “We can’t just abandon you to find that out.”

  “I’m quite alright with this.” He grunted, pushing himself to his feet again. “I do not believe they can break through. Come with me. I have more to tell you.” The titan hobbled into the dining area and the others solemnly followed. “Listen and listen well. The foul smell that lingers in my cave is from the geysers and pockets of the active volcano deep in these hills. Poisonous gas leeches out of the walls which can kill those who spend too long breathing it.”

  “Poisonous gas?” Morell said with fright. “How are we supposed to navigate an entire underground passage that leads under the hills if we can’t breathe the air that fills it? We’ll die for sure!”

  “Perhaps not.” Said Siouxsie “Is that why you keep so many gels in your home Bohga?

  “Yes, gels!” Said Morell with some excitement. “Because the gels clean the air! If we each took a gel and placed them over out mouth and noses, the gels would give us the clean air but consume the poison so that we’d be safe!”

  “Would that really work?” asked Hoxley

  “Yes, it would!” said Bohga. “That was exactly what I was about to suggest! I’ve done it myself and it works every time! Here, take one or two, each of you.” The cyclops plucked the little animated gelatins from the wall and passed them out to everyone. The gels smiled and jiggled at being held. “Another word of caution.” he said. The gas is also as flammable as lamp oil. You will not be able to use a torch to light your way.”

  “Then how will we be able to see in the darkness?” asked the prince. “We’ll be blind and lost beneath a mountain!”

  “Leave that to me!” exclaimed Siouxsie. She handed her gel to her brother to hold and lifted her pointed witch hat revealing the bright orange gel sleeping atop her head. “Pumpkin! It’s time to wake up!”

  “Pumpkoo!” It peeped as she snatched it off her head and returned the hat. Before anyone could object, she ran over to the fire, placed the gel in a metal spoon and held it directly in the fire for a moment.

  “Is she cooking it to eat it?” Asked the prince with a disgusted look on his face

  “Now we’re ready!” She said turning about. Siouxsie poured the gel out of the spoon and everyone looked to see that her pet gel Pumpkin had begun to glow enough that it brightened the entire room! “Now he’ll glow like this for hours an entire day! That should be more than enough time to get us through the passage!” Not everyone looked convinced. Robert looked to the faun girl.

  “What say you, Hoxley?” She thought it over but there weren’t any other choices left to them. Shouting voices were still heard near the entrance.

  “If Bohga is confident there’s a way and that the gels can allow us to breathe, and Siouxsie is confident she can lead us, then I say we go.”

  “Then it’s decided.” Said Bohga. “Simply place your gels over your mouth and nose and breathe normally. It feels rather strange, I know. The gels will do the rest. Each of the companions reluctantly held the gel against their face as he said. The sensation was rather odd having something blocking their airway, but after a moment, everyone nodded that they could breathe just fine. Even the reluctant prince seemed at ease. The gels didn’t stay on their own but instead had to be held in place. Somewhere by the cave entrance a mighty pounding began.

  “They’re trying to break in.” said Robert sourly.

  “Then it’s time for you to go.” Said Bohga. “Take this feather.” He handed Siouxsie the large feather of a bird. “Once you are in the heart of the caves where it is very hot the feather will lean in the direction of the exit. The currents always lead out. Now go. Time is short and they won’t be able to follow you down if you hurry. Hold onto one another. Don’t let go.” Siouxsie propped her broom under her arm and placed Pumpkin upon the bristled end and held it out.