Contents
Book Four: The Trap — 8.
Overview
Arthur and Colin confirm Stuart “Svangur” Finger as their guide beneath Slaughterbridge. Colin injures his knee during the approach, raising the stakes for the descent. After crude bartering, Arthur secures Finger’s lead to the crypt and the formation called Arthur’s Stairs, and the trio sets off.
Summary
Arthur and Colin locate Stuart “Svangur” Finger beneath Slaughterbridge, sprawled amid junk and a tiny TV showing reality TV. As they descend the embankment, Colin slips in mud, wrenches his left knee, and begins to limp, an early setback that threatens their planned night descent.
They approach Finger, a foul-mouthed derelict who needles them with class jabs and a racist slur while fixated on his program. Arthur steers the conversation to business, confirming Finger knows the route to a crypt and the natural formation called Arthur’s Stairs.
Finger toys with them over price, mocking Colin’s perceived wealth and Arthur’s words. Arthur ups the offer to forty pounds—twenty now, twenty on return—pressing urgency over Finger’s TV habit. Colin hands over a twenty; Finger pockets it with lewd ceremony, then abruptly shuts off the TV and moves out.
Fearing Finger might vanish with the deposit, Arthur urges speed. Despite Colin’s pain, Arthur and Colin follow as Finger leads them into the dusk toward the crypt and Arthur’s Stairs, their risky descent underway.
Who Appears
- ArthurLeads negotiations; identifies Svangur as the needed guide; secures passage to the crypt and Arthur’s Stairs.
- ColinSlips on the embankment and injures his knee; pays the deposit; follows despite pain.
- Stuart “Svangur” FingerDerelict guide under Slaughterbridge; vulgar, mercenary; accepts forty pounds to lead them to the crypt/Arthur’s Stairs.