The River Tunnel

The journey through the darkness is unnerving.  After the boat hits the first rock in the river, Engelhart realizes he will need to move to the prow, with the lantern, and hopefully call the rowers to move the boat to the port or starboard.  The boat is, thankfully, responsive, and thankfully Lothar is conscious and has good instincts.

Still, from time to time, it is impossible to keep from striking a wall on either side of the passage.  The boat takes these hits fairly well, but the for the injured, every jar is a seizure of pain where they have been recently wounded.

The river goes on, and on, for well past an hour.  Time begins to lose meaning.  Engelhart, however, grows more and more sure that he can smell salt water.

Without warning, the boat is seized by a current.  There is no warning, no sound of rapids ahead ... but soon after, the make-shift oars are nearly ripped from the hands of Lothar and (most likely) Willa.  The boat swings around, moving faster and faster.  It flies towards a wall, but just before it hits a new current grabs it, pulling the boat sharply to the right.  Then again, the boat turns, and is pulled to the right, now inches from the opposite wall.

And so it goes for seven heart-stopping rounds ... and then, again without warning, the river slows. The boat steadies and the speed of the current settles.

"Is that a light?" calls Willa, pulling Lothar's attention from his oar, and Engelhart's concern from the unconscious wounded.  "Quick, Father, douse your lantern."