"Down that tunnel. Because, if I'm not clear off, that leads to Ben Beatha, and Bas the Immortal—and the Stone."
Almost as though it were a signal, the blue glare dimmed and flickered. In the semi-darkness Ciaran and the hunter dropped down from the niche and went into the tunnel.
It was dark, with only a tiny spot of blue radiance at wide intervals along the walls. They had gone quite a distance before these strengthened to their normal brightness, and even then it was fairly dark. It seemed to be deserted.
The hunter kept stopping to listen. When Ciaran asked irritably what was wrong, he said:
"I think there's someone behind us. I'm not sure."
"Well, give him a jab with the wand if he gets too close. Hurry up!"
The tunnel led straight toward Ben Beatha, judging from its position in the pit. Ciaran was almost running when the hunter caught his shoulder urgently.
"Wait! There's movement up ahead...."
He motioned Ciaran down. On their hands and knees they crawled forward, holding their wands ready.
A slight bend in the tunnel revealed a fork. One arm ran straight ahead. The other bent sharply upward, toward the surface.