Book Four: The Trap — 18.

The British Cave Rescue Council spends eight days exploring caverns near Camelford, focusing on a descent called Arthur’s Stairs. Colin joins them and realizes this route does not match the secret path he and Svangur used; the teams never approach the hidden boulder hole or the briar trail.

Gwen arrives in England to be near the search. Overwhelmed, she breaks down, and Colin comforts her. They walk the ridge above the River Camel, holding hands, sharing a fragile calm beneath a bright spring sky.

Pressed for the truth, Colin recounts what he claims happened below: spiders swarmed, webbing engulfed them, and Stu Finger dragged Arthur away by the feet. He says he later heard distant screams, then used a glowing candle drawn from the fresco to burn free and search until he found an exit. He portrays Arthur as lost but not definitively gone, urging faith in the rescuers.

When Gwen asks about Arthur’s final words, Colin withholds that Arthur spoke her name, choosing to spare her more pain. Instead he promises hope and time, holding her the way Arthur would have wanted, as they wait while the rescue continues in the wrong place.