Page 69 of The Amber Sunburst

“Kallias, if I give you a long list of instructions will you be able to remember them?” Lazarus asks.

“Yes,” Kallias’ voice shoots back with no hesitation.

“Okay. Left, two. Right, six. Right, two. Left, one…” Lazarus continues until he reaches about twenty different directions. “Let me know if you need help. And go as fast as you can. I want to know what happens when we get someone to the end.”

“You got it, boss,” Kallias responds, his sarcasm either unregistered or ignored. Lazarus takes another deep breath, then continues.

“From here on I’m giving everyone five instructions at a time. Each instruction will start with a turn, followed by a step count. In the spirit of fairness I’ll go in alphabetical order and repeat the cycle every time I get to the end.”

Shit.

Alphabetical order has never been particularly kind to Zeno.

“Alexander, you’re first.”

“Listening.”

And off Lazarus goes again, speaking so fast Zeno’s sure he’ll pass out from a lack of oxygen. He gives instruction after instruction, everyone confirming receipt until he gets to… “Zeno.”

“Here.”

“Forward, five. Left, two. Right, three. Right, one. Left, one half. Then stop.”

Zeno nods frantically to himself, already on the move, before remembering that Lazarus can’t see him.

“Got it.”

“Good. Alexander back to you. Have you made it to the end of my initial instructions?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Great, let’s then go for⁠—”

“Lazarus,” Kallias interrupts. “I think I’m at a door. Should I go through?”

Zeno can faintly hear Alexander sigh dreamily at Kallias’ voice in the group call.

“Yes, that’s an exit. Go for it,” Lazarus replies.

Zeno hears the sound of a handle clicking, then the blaring voice shreds his eardrums again. “Congratulations, one member of your team has successfully exited the cave. They are welcome to re-enter to help others if they so choose.”

Before anyone else can say a word, Lazarus barks, “Kallias, don’t go back.”

Kleitos butts in immediately. “Are you serious? He’s the fastest out of all of us. Why wouldn’t he come help?”

“Don’t you remember the allegory, Kleitos?” Lazarus responds. “If he goes back in, he’ll be blind. Meaning that I’ll probably lose access to him over comms. Then what’s he going to do for you?”

“So we’re not even going to try it?” Kleitos asks.

“It’s a waste of time and the risk is too high.”

“What risk? I mean, it’s⁠—”

“Do you want to shut up, or should Lazarus let you find your own way out?” Kallias asks, threatening even in his usual monotone.

Kleitos sputters over the line, and Alexander adds, “I think you could make it, Kleitos. A true lone wolf, you are. And if you don’t… Well, we won’t miss you that much.”

Kleitos’ disgruntled mumbling intensifies to full yelling and Lazarus cuts him off. “Shut up, all of you! No one is making it out unless you listen to me. Kleitos, if you argue one more time, you’re on your own.”