Healed by Hope by Jim Melvin Page A

Daasa’s necks and led them with chains,” the pirate said.
    “Tew!” Dhītar cried.
    “I need to hear this,” Podhana said to the countess in admonishment. Then he turned to the pirate: “Continue.”
    Tew looked worried, but he did what he was told. “The scientist guys hooked the chains into the grooves in the railings, and they slid along on their own, as if by magic. The Daasa were dragged down deep.”
    “And you didn’t care what would happen to the Daasa?” Dhītar said, her voice incredulous.
    Tew sighed. “Where I came from, caring about somebody other than yourself was a good way to get killed.” He turned to Podhana. “But I’ve changed, Master Asēkha. I swear it. If there’s anything I can do to make it better, I will try.”
    “I am no judge,” Podhana said, but his eyes smoldered.
    Tew lowered his head and for a time spoke no more.
    They went next to another pair of doors, as ravaged as those on the surface. A wide stone passageway, also well-lighted, sank deeper into the limestone bedrock, spiraling lazily as it descended. They followed the grooved railings for what seemed to Podhana to be at least a mile, yet they saw no other living beings . . .
    . . . Until they entered the next large chamber, which was littered with bloodied bodies of various shapes and sizes, including several cave trolls and at least one Stone-Eater. Immediately, the Asēkhas and Tugars waded into the carnage, searching for clues.
    “There is no evidence of sword, tooth, or claw,” Rati said to Podhana. “The bare hands of a snow giant caused this destruction. But most of the blood is dry, and the bodies are already growing foul. This carnage occurred at least a day ago, chieftain— before Deva arrived here.”
    “What is the meaning?” Podhana said.
    “This is the cause of the snow giant’s distress,” Bruugash said. “Somehow he knew . . .”
    Now the way was no longer barren. Bodies had been cast everywhere, and some were dismembered. They also found the remains of strange monsters: some resembling serpents, others spiders, but all quite dead. And on the bloodied floor were gigantic footprints.
    “Some of these footprints have been here longer than others,” Podhana said. “It is obvious there were snow giants here before Deva.”
    At the end of this chamber, the railings came to an abrupt halt. A pair of shafts—each at least ten cubits wide—dove straight downward into darkness.
    “What now?” Podhana said.
    Rati shrugged. “It is far too sheer to climb, though there are cables along the walls that we might be able to shimmy down.”
    Tew stepped forward. “No need for that.” The pirate walked over to a metal panel between the shafts and slid open a small door. Glowing buttons were revealed, stacked two to a side. Tew pushed the top buttons, one after the other. Instantly, a grinding sound so low it resembled a purr could be heard by those nearest the shafts. In a short time two metal platforms rose into view, each littered with more bodies.
    “Cast them aside,” Podhana ordered. Then he turned to the pirate. “How many of us can each of these hold?”
    “I saw them put a couple of dozen Daasa on at a time,” Tew said. “I would think they could hold twice as many of us.”
    “How far down do these shafts delve?” Rati said.
    “That I don’t know. This room is as far as I ever went, which was fine with me. It seems awful creepy down there.”
    “I’ll go,” Dhītar said, giving Tew another scornful look.
    Podhana shook his head. “The Asēkhas and I will go, though Bruugash and Gorlong will also accompany us.” Podhana turned to the overlord. “I am sorry. It is not my intention to order you about.”
    Bruugash bowed. “I would never question an Asēkha and especially their chieftain. Lead on.”
    Podhana also bowed. Then he stood tall and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “If we have not returned within a bell, you are given permission to follow. Until then, explore