The Two Confessions by John Whitbourn (good books to read for adults .TXT) 📕

only response to it so farwas lost tooth enamel, ground off in biting back replies - but the Wizardshould have seen the letter to Mott awaiting launch in Trevan's office safe.

‘Concerningthe vile and corrosive guck adorning our secondary pump, if you please.’

‘Oh,that. You should specify.’

Tohis credit, the Wizard had been one of the first down the shaft when thediscovery was made. He'd probed and tested the substance closer than anyone,and been sicker in consequence.

‘Ican't say,’ he concluded, ‘never having encountered its like before, either inlife or in reference. Stomach bile from Mother Earth perhaps?’

‘ThenI reckon she spits it dead accurate,’ scoffed Wulfstan. The rest of them didn'tknow what to make of that fair point. There was the undying rumour that someSaxons still had secret regard for Nerthus, their original 'EarthMother' goddess.

‘Maybeshe does,’ agreed the Wizard. ‘Who knows? I only make the suggestion becausethere is nothing sorcerous to the substance. It is, hard as it may be tobelieve, natural - in a rebarbative, unnatural, way.’

Trevan’sfist clenched on empty air. If he hadn’t needed to speak his teeth would havedone likewise.

‘Andjust happens to drape itself in and over my pump and nowhere else, eh?’

‘Exactly,’nodded the Wizard, firmly, as though Samuel were a slow pupil who'd at longlast got there. ‘And before you ask, I did indeed delve amongst the shadows ofthe recent past in the vicinity. There were only the echoes of our footstepsand hard work.’

Thatalso hit home - as intended. They certainly had worked hard, which made thisrecompense all the more gruelling. Things had been going really well. The mainshaft was now widened, safe, lit and laddered. They'd lost no one: not had somuch as an injury (save what the overseers deliberately inflicted). It was ameasure of their success that the second, auxiliary, pump had gone below sosoon. After that the black waters were really on the run and long drownedlevels were being reclaimed all over. True, they were all blocked by sorcerybut you couldn't have everything. Come the time for penetration they'd bespoilt for choice of routes.

Samueluneasily recalled these thoughts and choice of words when the Wizard continued.Maybe his freak-type really could trespass unperceived in normal men'sminds. Maybe the mob was right back in Dark Age days when wizards went to thebonfire directly they revealed themselves. The Church had forbidden that butTrevan could well believe she was mistaken.

‘Asfor the membranes obstructing our desires,’ the fat man informed them, ‘theirvirginity is intact. I have checked each one. The magic is old and dusty andundisturbed in a manner I cannot adequately explain to you...non-practitioners.’

Thosepresent looked from one to the other as they considered what less flatteringdescription he'd applied to them in the privacy of his head.

‘Theyremain unpenetrated from either direction, I assure you. Every bit as virgointacta as the… husband,’ he gestured languidly with a heavily be-ringedhand at Samuel, ‘of this project-cum-bride would wish.’

Ifhe actually did read thoughts the Wizard ought to have then paled or fled.Samuel was constructing shortened futures for him.

However,there was no outward sign of it and Trevan spoke in a reasoned, reasonabletone. Most were not deceived, any more than they still believed this was 'just'a mine. The monkeys had chattered whilst the organ-grinder listened. Now he'ddecree how it was going to be.

‘I'mvery pleased to hear that,’ said Samuel. ‘Because for as long as possible weshould let sleeping dogs - or whatever they are - lie. So: install the new pumpwhen Jimmy returns with it. Have it perpetually watched by two - no, three -armed men: non-nervous types. Get the water down further. Keep the minersoccupied: have them tidy the camp or whitewash coal if need be. The rest of youget ready. Because the time is approaching, gentlemen, for us to go further in.But first I want to find an unguarded way. You see, call me over-sensitive ifyou like, but I get the distinct impression we’re unwelcome here. Accordingly,let us also be unexpected….’

U[U[U[U[U[U[U

cHAPTER 33

‘Gone? Gone where?’

‘Toa better place, Master Trevan. One’s already set off, the second's departingshortly. Dunno 'bout the third. You best come quick.’

Thisoldster's job was to deliver the workers their dinner or 'bait' ofpasties, not supply crucial assessments. Therefore, Samuel considered he’d donewell - but shouldered him aside all the same.

Samuelalso agreed on the need for haste, but not so much of it as to prevent himfetching pistols first. On the way he also gathered some security types. Theywere still drowsy and thinking breakfast thoughts but his bellow roused them.

‘Youand you.’ Two of the soldier 'volunteers' from Llanthony were gestured into thedescent tub. ‘Fast as safety allows,’ Samuel instructed the taciturn Welshmanwho oversaw the shafthead gear, ‘and then send three more. Count off thirtyminutes: if you've heard damn all after that then seal the pit.’ Then Trevanjumped into the craft himself and left the upper world behind.

Becausehe was feared rather than loved, his orders received close attention. Theydropped like a stone and knuckles whitened as they clenched on the cold iron ofthe tub. Swinging wildly on the supporting chain, the caged canary piped itsalarm.

Theywere entirely in the hands of the Welsh 'top-boy' above, but he'd spent a wholelonely lifetime tending winches and cages, seeing people down and awaitingtheir return. That's how he'd got out of the habit of talking. Samuel paid himwell and was now well rewarded in turn. The man knew just the depth theywanted, right to the last ratchet, and delivered them there safe, if shaken.

Therewas still light at the pump station, which was good news. They could lay asidethe giant lucifer-flares brought for emergency and rely on the safer minelanterns. Samuel studied the scene, read the story, and found no other groundsfor cheer.

Therequirement for leaps into the dark was past. A plank jetty now extended fromthe tunnel mouth into the shaft, making getting to and fro far more civilised.Samuel went first, seax and pistol foremost. Behind him he heard the tub bellrung to order its return, and then the wary tread of boots in his support. Outin the chasm the great chain groaned and protested and they felt rather thansaw the tub leave,