The smooth floor sloped steeply downward. Anakin hurried ahead, running his hand along the wall. “Hell never expect us to find him here.”
Obi-Wan took a deep breath, testing the air. It smelled fresh. There was most likely another opening in the direction they were headed. Wren had probably left the cavern by now.
The air smelled damp as well. That was normal in a cavern. Pools of water sat in the depressions of the stone floor. Some of them were quite deep …
“Anakin!” Obi-Wan snapped Padawan’s name. His voice echoed, but Anakin had run ahead, around a corner, and hadnt heard. Obi-Wan picked up his pace.
He rounded the corner. Anakin had paused before another opening in the cavern. This one was larger and began above Obi-Wan’s shoulders. Through it they could see only a patch of blue-and-violet sky. Against the shimmering pink and gold of the walls it was a breathtaking sight.
“Anakin, we should get out of here,” Obi-Wan called as he quickly made his way toward his Padawan. “I think this cavern may flood periodically.”
Anakin nodded and waited for his Master to catch up. Just then Obi-Wan heard a noise. A slight whoosh sound. He moved faster. Anakin turned back to the opening.
“It’s so beautiful,” he said in a hushed tone.
The whoosh grew louder. Now it was a roar.
“Hang on!” Obi-Wan shouted as a wall of water suddenly blocked out the sky and headed straight toward them.
Chapter Four
Anakin desperately clung to a ledge as the water rushed into the cavern the force of it battered him against the cavern wall. Another wave entered, and the water went over his head. The shock of its coldness almost made him lose his grip.
He fumbled for his breather with one hand while he hung on with the other. He began to feel light-headed as he struggled to attach his breather with one hand. Spots swam before his eyes.
He managed to insert his breather and inhaled deeply. He felt strength flow back into his muscles. Still, his body was being pummeled by the furiously rushing water and battered against the domes and the wall of the cave. He had to get out or he would drown.
He glanced back. He could barely see his Master, who was clinging to a rock hanging from the ceiling. As Anakin watched, Obi-Wan transferred his grip to the next cone. Fighting the rushing water he pulled himself forward.
Anakin grabbed the ledge a short distance away. He pulled himself forward, too, every muscle straining with his effort. He reached for the next handhold. Then the next. He fought for every centimeter.
At last he felt the smooth curve of the cavern entrance. He paused there, holding on against the violent water, waiting for his Master. After a few moments, Obi-Wan pulled himself up next to Anakin. He pointed up. They would let go now and try to get to the surface. Anakin nodded.
Anakin rolled his body into a ball and rested his feet against the cavern wall. He closed his eyes, gathering his strength and the Force. When he felt the enter him, he pushed himself off the cavern wall.
The power of the water almost battered him back against the wall and swept him inside the cavern, but Anakin fought it with all his strength, swimming up, trusting that air and sunlight were above.
After a few meters, the pull of the water lessened. He was able to make headway against it. He saw a lightening above. Sunlight. He swam toward it eagerly. The dappled patterns seemed to beckon him.
He burst above the surface of the water. Ahead he saw a booming waterfall, spilling down from a cliff above. That was the source of the powerful current both above and below the surface. Anakin waited until his Master broke the surface and then struck out toward the bank.
He pulled himself up onto dry land. He ripped the breather from his mouth and gasped for breath. Water streamed off his clothes and the ends of his hair as he bent over; gathering strength. Beside him, Obi-Wan was doing the same.
“The malia dean, and now this,” Anakin said when he could speak. He shook his head, sending water droplets flying. Did I misinterpret the clues, Master? They seemed so clear.”
“No, I think we went the right way off the trail,” Obi-Wan said. “But we shouldn’t have gone through the cavern. Jedi clues a designed to be difficult, not life-threatening.”
Anakin flushed. It was his fault. In his impatience to impress his Master, he had rushed into the malia den and into the cavern.
Obi-Wan wouldn’t say anything. That was the problem. It was worse for Anakin to have to wonder what his master was thinking.
Obi-Wan scanned the surrounding area. “No doubt Wren used a cable launcher to vault the cliff face.”
“But I didn’t see any marks above,” Anakin said. “Wouldnt the launcher have scarred the rock face?”