“How much of a problem is that going to be?”
“It depends. If most of the guards are focused on the workers doing the clearing, we might be able to avoid their notice.”
“They are, they are,” Ahona said eagerly.
“Are the lights working out there?” Varga asked
“They have portable lights focused on the clearing efforts. But only the emergency lights are working everywhere else.” Ahona looked suddenly sly. “I heard the quake took out the communication tower as well. The guards have to go up to the surface to communicate.”
Perhaps that explained why no one had come after them so far. Or perhaps they were simply focused on repairing the damage. She had heard Ukhaan speak of the new area often enough to know that it was very rich in ore. That was why he decided to proceed with the new tunnels, even knowing that it could be dangerous.
Varga frowned thoughtfully. “How often do they go up to the surface?”
Ahona bobbed his head. “Maybe once an hour? I’m not supposed to look at them, your honor. I try to keep my head down and focus on my work.”
Varga gave a disgusted grunt, but once again Joan wondered if Ahona was telling the entire truth.
“I don’t think we have a choice. We can only hope that they are too distracted to pay attention.” He looked over at Issar. “You lead the way, and I’ll cover the rear.”
Issar nodded grimly.
“Will you take me with you, your honor? Wherever you are going?” Ahona asked eagerly.
Varga shrugged, then nodded, and Joan fought back the urge to protest. He hadn’t asked her, but then again, he probably assumed that she would want to bring the small male along, just as she had brought along everyone else they met. But somehow, this time it didn’t feel right.
Rummel muttered something under his breath and she looked over to find him frowning at Ahona, but he didn’t say anything either and they all fell into line behind Issar. Taliane was immediately behind him, followed by Saka, then Polly and Rummel. Polly was panting, an almost inaudible whimpering coming from her throat, but she clutched Rummel’s shirt and followed him.
Ahona bowed and waved Joan in front of him, but she shook her head. She didn’t want him between her and Varga. He limped along after Rummel as she reached down and picked up George. He had been hiding behind her legs, obviously not impressed with Ahona either, and he chirped happily as she tucked him back inside her coverall.
Ahona’s head whipped around at the noise, and a disturbingly long tongue flickered out as he caught sight of George.
“A drongo? What a treat—they’re very tasty.”
She covered George’s head with her hand and glared at Ahona. “He’s not tasty. He’s my friend.”
“Oh, of course. My apologies, your honor. A foolish mistake on my part.” But despite his babbling apology, he looked hungrily at the place where George had disappeared.
She really didn’t want Ahona to accompany them now, but what could she do? She didn’t think she was coldhearted enough to send him back to slavery in the mines. And even if she had been, what if he turned on them now that he knew they were here? She settled for keeping a wary eye on him as she followed him, noticing that one of his feet dragged, creating the scraping noise she had heard earlier. Not a monster after all, but she shivered anyway.
Stepping from the small tunnel into the huge cavern that led from the ore transporter back towards the new mine was surprisingly hard. The space seemed huge and exposed, despite the dim lighting, and the bustle of activity was clearly audible although as Ahona had said, a pile of debris stood between them and the blockage.
On the far side of the cavern, the smelter glowed fiery red, adding to the suffocating heat. It was no cooler here than it had been inside the tunnels. Issar led the way along the far wall towards the huge transport shaft at the far end. He moved quickly and silently, but he checked constantly to make sure that they were behind him.
She couldn’t hear Varga behind, her but she could feel his reassuring presence. Every time she looked over her shoulder to check, he smiled at her, despite the hard mask covering his face.
Her nerves were as tight as piano strings, but they reached the far end of the great cavern without hearing any outcry. A large metal grate surrounded the shaft, and as they grew closer, she realized that there was no platform inside.
“Where’s the lift?” she whispered frantically.
“It must be on the surface,” Varga said reassuringly. “Do they keep it up there when they’re not using it, Ahona?”
“Oh yes, your honor, yes. Surely they do.” Ahona sounded even more nervous, and Varga frowned at him before looking at Issar.
“I don’t think we have any choice. It’s the only way to the surface.”
“I agree.” Issar shrugged. “At least there’s only one option.”
He reached out and slapped a large red button, and they all heard the faint grinding of the chains. Joan cast a nervous look over her shoulder again, but Varga gave her a reassuring smile.
“I know it sounds loud, but no one would be able to hear it unless they were right here.”
She suspected he was right, but it didn’t stop her from shivering. There was a small outcropping of rock to one side of the shaft, and Varga urged them all behind it. At least this way they wouldn’t be immediately visible if there was someone on the platform when it descended. She hoped.
The creaking increased, and she looked up to see the base of
