Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
“Never mind that,” I agree. “We have to assume no one is coming for us. So what’s the best thing we can do?”
“Find another artifact,” Mereden replies, voice wavering. “Hopefully one that leads us out of here and somewhere safe.”
Exactly. “And the best time to get started is now.” I glance around the mess of the cavern. “So what do we have here that we can use as a dowsing rod?”
We dig around in our packs to cobble together a reasonable substitute. The one Gwenna had is busted in three places, and it doesn’t seem to react when she holds it. We end up finding a triangular-shaped piece of Kipp’s broken house and hack at it until it vaguely forms a Y-shape. Kipp winces when Gwenna picks it up, his expression one of longing. I want to comfort him, but I don’t even know where slitherskins get their houses from in order to replace his. We’ll figure it out after we’re free, I decide. For now, we’ve got to tackle our immediate problems.
“Here,” Gwenna tells me, taking me aside. She pulls a ribbon from over her head and holds the ring out to me. “You might as well take this. It’s yours anyhow.”
I manage a small smile, clasping my hand around it. The ring has been covered in a crude leather pouch with a stylized lizard drawn upon it. Gwenna said she disguised it so people would think it was a slitherskin good luck charm. I tuck the small leather bag under my breast and re-lace my corset.
To think, days ago the ring brought me so much relief. Today, it’s just another problem I have to solve on top of the mounting pile of problems. “So much trouble. I hope it’s worth it.”
“Don’t beat yourself up,” she tells me.
“How can I not? I’ve risked everyone’s lives.” I gesture at the wreckage around us. “If we make it back alive, the guild will have our heads.”
“We knew the risks, Aspeth,” Gwenna says, her expression serious. “We know you’re not doing this for your gambler father. You’re doing it for everyone who lives at Honori Hold and has no idea that he’s putting their lives in danger. You’re doing it for the cook, and the stable boy, and my mother, who still works at the hold. You’re doing it for them and you’re doing it to protect yourself. This isn’t a bad thing, Aspeth. I know it’s stealing, but you’re stealing for a good cause. It’s not a bad thing to try to help people other than yourself. Isn’t that why the guild started? They wanted to bring magical objects to people to help them with their day-to-day lives.”
She makes it sound so noble. I’m truly just trying to stay alive…and selfishly, to keep my father alive because I don’t want to be the one running the hold.
We rejoin the others, and Kipp gives us a pained look at the piece of his house in Gwenna’s hands. At Kipp’s expression, she gives him a solemn nod. “I’ll take good care of it, I promise, and then it’s yours again.”
Kipp nods, tapping his chest in what looks like an encouraging gesture.
Gwenna holds the rod out and waits.
We wait, too.
After a long moment, she lowers it. “I…I don’t feel anything.”
“Maybe close your eyes and concentrate?” Mereden asks.
“Right.” Gwenna closes her eyes, focusing, and the “dowsing rod” in her hand jumps to life. It points deeper into the tunnels in the opposite direction of the cave-in.
“It’s working,” I breathe. “Keep your eyes closed.”
“Oh, sure, easy for you to say,” Gwenna mutters, but she does as I suggest. “Someone lead me around, please.” I move to one side and Lark to the other.
“Of course it’s pointing deeper into the tunnel,” Lark says. “There’s nowhere else to go.”
“If you have a better idea, now is the time,” I say.
Kipp just gives us all an exasperated look.
“Fine. I’m shutting up.” Lark hands Mereden her staff. “Let’s go. You need help walking?”
“I’m all right.” Mereden leans heavily on the staff but manages to limp along, favoring her ankle. I stay at Gwenna’s side, the others clustering as close as the rope lead will allow. We move together down the rough-hewn cave, progressing in a slow but steady fashion.
Then, as luck would have it, the candle sputters out.
I curse. Mereden whimpers.
Gwenna pauses in place, her eyes still tightly closed. “What is it? What’s going on?”
“We’re in the dark,” I explain. “Candle went out.”
“Can I open my mucking eyes now?”
“Not yet! Don’t lose the trail,” I tell her. “Let me see if I can make another light somehow.”
Kipp touches my leg, and when I automatically glance down, I notice that the front of my corset is glowing with a soft red light. I fumble in the front of my chemise, digging out the ring. It’s fallen out of the leather pouch, and the moment it clears my clothing, reddish light spills all down the cavern, casting ominous shadows.