Water Hazzard

The little trickle of water that you have been following flows into a pool of water that completely covers the floor. It is impossible to see through the dark liquid, but the ceiling of the hallway continues to drop closer and closer to the level of the water.

"Can we get through?" You ask holding the bluelight high as you try to see how far the water extends.

"I don't know" Cassia replies nervously, you can tell the strain of wandering through these passages is starting to wear on her.

"I'll check it out." You tell her trying to muster more confidence than you actually feel. "Maybe this armor was a mistake" you grunt as you start taking off the stiff leather.

"What if something attacks you?" Asks Cassia as she helps you pull the top over your head. The thought had crossed your mind as well, but you smile reassuringly at her.

"Don't worry, at home the other slaves called me 'The Eel' when we would wrestle at the swimming hole. I may not be much of a fighter, but I can be quick if I'm not wearing these." Stepping out of the girdle that protected your groin and thighs you pull off the high boots with a sigh. Dressed now in the heavy quilted tunic and leggings it becomes obvious that they will have to come off as well. The padding may work well as protection, but if soaked with water it could weigh even a strong man down. Cassia mumbles something about guarding the rear and steps several paces away turning her back on you as you remove the padded suit and stand naked in the cool passageway.

Considering what you have already shared with Cassia, her turning away from you seems silly. Could it be that what you shared means much more to you than it does to her? The intense feeling of rightness that warms your heart every time you see her may be just a delusion. Could letting you take her virginity really be just a necessary step to accomplish your goal. You have never understood women, you acknowledge to yourself, and maybe never would.

Drawing your short sword and holding your bluelight in your other hand you wade forward into the deepening water. When the water covers your waist you call back to Cassia.

"This isn't so bad." You tell her as she returns to the water's edge. "Give me a minute or two and let me see if it gets drier ahead." You want to keep positive but the thought of her waiting alone in this place frightens you. "If I'm not back in a couple minutes, go back to the Gateroom and wait for me there."

Cassia nods but says nothing. Standing with the bluelight in her hand dressed in her armor she reminds you of a statue of a beautiful goddess, cold and unattainable to a mere commoner like you. Turning away from her you dive into the waiting water.

The bluelight works underwater, where your feet stood the water is clouded with silt, but as you swim further from where you walked your visibility increases. You see several pale fish with giant eyes about the size of your hand and the floor of the passageway is covered with all sorts of odd vegetation. As your head breaks the surface of the water you hear Cassia gasp with relief.

"Be careful Adonis!" Her words are whispered but in the silence of the catacombs her words carry clearly and you are sure you hear a crack of strong emotion in her tone. That thought cheers you and giving Cassia a confident wave you swim ahead under a thick curtain of tangled roots that reach all the way from a garden in the city to the water collected in this catch basin. On the other side of the web of roots you can see the ceiling start to rise again and at the limit of the bluelight you think you can see the hall way again. You are just about to turn back when something ahead catches your attention.