Cave of Echoes

 “It’s called the cave of echoes,” said the guide. His voice didn’t echo, which was odd. “It is said to have been used by the royal family for thousands of years.”

    “Used for what?” asked the financier. 

    “The jury’s out, I’m afraid. Meditation is the most common theory.”

    The cave was massive, lined with emerald crystals of various girths. The room had been lined with lanterns for the tour, but the three people who had traveled down here all could swear that the gems gave off a glow of their own. 

    “In any event, I don’t know what you’re hoping to find here.’

    “Oh… I’m just open to the possibilities.”

    “Careful, captain. That ledge looks unstable.” The captain nodded and placed her foot more carefully upon the next stone. 

    “We’re almost there, ladies. Pick up the pace.”

    As they reached the bottom ledge, they saw a brilliant light in the distance. It was almost too bright to look at, at first, but soon their eyes adjusted to the strange blue tint. 

    “Why is this one blue?”

    The guide coughed. “Nobody knows.” He took off his glasses and wiped them on his shirt. “It is marvelous though, wouldn’t you agree?”

    “Agreed,” said the captain. The other two started, almost forgetting that she could speak after nearly an hour of spelunking in silence. They were even more startled by the revolver she pulled from her side.

    She bent over and wiped the financier’s blood with two gloved fingers. She walked over to the massive crystal and wiped the blood across its glowing surface. She paused a moment, examined the room, then cursed.

    “I swear, if I travelled all this way for nothing,” she muttered to herself as she made her way out of the chamber. Her mumbled curses faded as she reached the top of the steps, returning to the room filled with green crystals. 

    Her face broke into a thin smile when she saw the financier lying on the ground. Although, she hadn’t thought about finding her naked. The captain took off her jacket and placed it around the dazed woman’s shoulders. She didn’t think the woman’s more ample body would allow her to close the jacket, but eventually she managed. 

    “What…what happened?” said the financier. 

    “You and the guide slipped down the stairs. I managed to catch you, but…”

    “Oh no! We need to get help. Is he…”

    “He didn’t make it, I’m afraid.”

    The financier shook her head.

    “But it’s alright.”

    The other woman looked at the captain for a moment. Then she nodded. “It’s alright.”

    “Let’s go home now, shall we?”

    The financier nodded. “Yes, let’s go home. I need to find something else to change into…”

    “Mhmm. You do look lovely in my jacket though.”

    “Thank you.”

    “Not another word.”

    The two walked back in silence. When they exited the cave, one of the captain’s men greeted her with a salute. 

    “Buy the lot,” she said. “Oh… and send someone down there to collect the bodies.”