“They cover your nose and mouth?”
“Yup.”
“Ah, yes. Those are perfect. Can we borrow some?”
“Sure thing.” Hud motioned at some of his men, and they headed for a temporary structure off to the side of the site.
A few minutes later, we were all wearing professional masks. Hud donned one as well.
At my pointed look, he said, “I need to escort you. I'm responsible for everyone on this site.”
“All right.”
“Leera, stay here.” Orro pointed to the ground.
She sat down and yipped.
“They'll look after her.” Hud motioned at his workers, one of them already petting the dog.
“Thank you.” Orro nodded to the workers and then headed into the room.
Before I could go in, two of the horns followed Orro while a third motioned for me to wait. I sighed as they searched the room. Here was yet another example of what life as the King's mate would be like.
Then Orro called out, “Master Sevarin, you need to see this!”
I rushed ahead, Hud and the rest of my guards following. Once inside, I found Orro standing before a doorway. To my left was a massive metal box covered in Silver Rot. I assumed it was the ward to protect the bridge. I would have gone to that first, but Orro had a light tube in hand and was aiming it into the doorway.
Holding my wounded tail out of the way, I went to Orro and stared down into a stairwell glittering with Silver Rot. Then I looked back at Hud. “Do you know where this leads?”
Hud shook his head. “That shouldn't be there. It's just supposed to be a small room to contain the ward.”
“It must have been behind this shelf, but the vibrations from the bridge collapsing knocked it aside.” Orro motioned at a metal bookshelf on the floor, its contents spilling forth. “Where do you think it goes?”
“Down.” I smirked at Orro, and he snorted.
Hud peered over my shoulder. “There was a facility here once, before the bridge was built. Maybe it leads to that.”
Orro and I turned to look at the man.
He cleared his throat and met our gazes. “I've heard stories that instead of filling it in, they just built over it.”
“What kind of facility?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Dunno. It was one of those secret royal facilities. Some say they experimented with magic down there. But I always thought that was just a scary story. You know, the kind of thing workers tell the new guy.”
“I think your scary story is based on fact.” I pulled a light tube from my satchel and turned it on. But when I started forward, Orro grabbed me and pulled me back.
“Uh-uh.” He shook his head and then motioned at the closest horn—an Argaiv man. “You first.”
“Me?” The man's wings shivered as he pulled them in tight to his back.
“I need to stay with the Master Alchemist, and it's your job to protect him. Go!”
I handed the man my light tube. “The Silver Rot only affects enchantments, but maybe put on some gloves.” I pulled a pair out of my satchel and pulled them on.
“What?” the Argaiv squeaked as he rapidly pulled on a pair of leather gloves.
“Come on. I'll go with you.” A Ricarri horn joined him, already wearing gloves, and they went into the stairwell.
