Obi-Wan searched without moving, his gaze traveling over the dirt, rocks, and surrounding trees.
Frustrated by his inability to find a clue, Anakin straightened and began to study the trees around them. He hurried forward to a tall trunk and leaned in to examine it.
"He rested here. He touched the trunk with his finger."
Obi-Wan saw the slight flaking of the bark near Anakin's pointing finger. "How do you know? All the trees have peeling bark."
"There is sap running alongside. Here's a fingerprint. Smudged. But it's there."
"Yes. So he went — which way?" Obi-Wan enjoyed the keen look in Anakin's eyes.
With the trunk of the tree to guide him, Anakin eagerly searched the ground again. "this way!" he called triumphantly. "We'll catch him yet!"
Smiling, Obi-Wan followed Anakin through the forest. This was what he'd hoped for. Anakin had forgotten him impatience with the exercise and what he'd thought was his secret feeling that it was a waste of time. He was now filled with the excitement of the chase.
They moved through a thick curtain of needles and bark. They could no longer see the mountain looming over them. It was as though they were tucked away in a fragrant green cave.
Then the trees stopped abruptly and they came upon a sheer rock wall. The wall curved around them and rose on three sides. There was no way to go except back the way they'd come.
"It's a dead end," Anakin said, disappointed. "But I was so sure Wren came this way!"
"Hold on," Obi-Wan said, "Look around you. You might be missing something. Remember your temple exercise to explore the present moment? Close your eyes."
Anakin closed his eyes. Obi-Wan waited until he was sure his Padawan had focused. What did you see?"
"Bark and leaves under my feet. Sheer wall ten meters ahead with insufficient handholds for climbing. Small plant growing in a crevice thirty meters up. Snow dusting at top of cliff. Bird circling twenty degrees to my right. At the base of the rock wall, what appears to be a small opening — a den of a small animal, or — " Anakin's eyes popped open. "A cave."
Obi-Wan smiled. He had seen the entrance to the cave minutes before. "Let's see what it is."
Anakin and Obi-Wan examined the small opening. "It's not as small as it looks," Obi-Wan said. "It could be the nest or den of an animal."
"It looks like it opens up," Anakin said, peering inside. "Let me go in."
Obi-Wan hesitated. He would rather be first. But part of this exercise was also for the Master. He had to learn to let go, to allow his Padawan to test his skills. He knew Anakin was well trained and could handle what lay beyond.
"All right, Padawan."
Without a glow rod, Anakin would have to feel his way. He eased inside the hole carefully, one hand on his lightsaber hilt.
Obi-Wan heard Anakin's voice echo hollowly. "It's a cavern! It's beautiful!"
Obi-Wan squeezed inside the hole. It was a bit more difficult for him to make it. He wondered how the tall, stocky Wren had managed.
He was able the straighten after crawling just a few meters. Anakin stood ahead of him, scanning the cavern.
It truly was beautiful. The walls shimmered with phosphorescence, lighting the space. The cliff face outside had been gray, but this stone was pink with veins of bright gold and silver. Cone-shaped deposits of the stone hung from the veling and rose from the floor.
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 hadn't 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 a battered against the comes 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.