Morgan nodded. “The entrance is a goodly distance down, directly below and ahead of you there. Do you see it?”

“Not really.”

“Never mind. Just do what the others did. I’ll dive with you and propel you along. The main thing to remember is not to breathe until we’re on the other side. All right?”

“I’ll try,” the bishop said doubtfully.

With a silent prayer to whatever saint protected inept bishops, Morgan beckoned his light closer and made a pass over it. The light dimmed as Morgan touched Cardiel’s shoulder in signal to go. With an audible gulp, Cardiel screwed his eyes tightly closed, held his breath, and tried to dive, Morgan right beside him.

But it became immediately obvious to Morgan that this was not going to work. Though Cardiel kicked with all his might, and flailed earnestly with his arms, he could not go deeply enough. Morgan grasped the bishop by the waist and tried to propel both of them downward toward the sought-after passage, but it was no use. Cardiel simply did not know enough about what he was doing.

With a slight shake of his head, Morgan began tugging Cardiel back toward the surface. The light had gone out as they dived, and thus they surfaced in total darkness, Cardiel thrashing his arms in a panic until Morgan could put reassuring arms around his shoulders and buoy him up.

“Easy, my lord, you’re all right.”

Cardiel panted for breath, his breathing ragged and labored as he trod water beside the young Deryni.

“Did we make it through?” he asked.

Morgan was glad that Cardiel could not see his face in the darkness.

“I’m afraid not,” he replied, trying to sound more positive than he felt. “But we’ll make it this time, don’t worry. You need to kick off harder this time.”

There was a short, painful silence, and then Cardiel coughed, the only sound in the echoing cavern save for the occasional splash from them treading water.

“I am sorry, Alaric. I—I warned you that I was no swimmer. I don’t think I can go that deep.”

“You’re going to have to,” Morgan said in a low voice. “Either that, or I’m going to have to leave you behind. And I can’t do that.”

“No, I suppose not,” Cardiel agreed in a weak voice.

Morgan sighed. “All right, let’s try it again. This time, I want you to take a very deep breath and then let out most of it before you dive. That will help you to get the depth we need. I’ll help you get up the other side.”

“But if I breathe out all my air before I dive, won’t I drown?” The bishop’s question had a plaintive ring to it. Morgan could tell that the man was more frightened than he would ever admit.

“Don’t worry. Just don’t breathe in,” he murmured, grasping the bishop’s shoulder. “Now, a deep breath, exhale—and go!”

He heard the bishop’s gasp for air, the slow exhale, and then Cardiel was sinking, making a feeble attempt at a proper dive into the darkness below. Morgan grasped his shoulders and propelled him along, guiding him toward where he knew the opening to be, but as they reached the near side opening of the passage, he felt Cardiel begin to panic.