Sol dropped halfway into the tunnel, it was surprisingly larger and more stable than he’d anticipated. “Thank you, Robin,” he said, ignoring her words.
“Do you need a torch?” she asked him, gesturing to the dusty pile of wooden implements just inside the cave door. “I don’t know if they still keep the oil fresh on this side.”
Sol inhaled, letting the scent of clean dirt tickle his nose. “Mhhhhhh,” he intoned. He lifted his hands in front of him and a small orb began to glow between his palms. “I think I can do without.”
Robin’s pursed lips relaxed into a smile. “Of course. Sorry, I forget.”
Sol pulled the small grate shut behind him and stood to his full height in the tunnel. It was broad enough for three people to stand side by side, with enough clearance above his head to be comfortable. Rafters and stonework lined the ceilings and walls.
With a final nod to Robin, who was already covering the grate with greenery, Sol turned and made his way down the tunnel.
As the darkness settled around him, his other senses heightened and he felt his mind slip into a state of focused concentration, which relaxed him. He liked the darkness. He felt safe and in control.
But he would not be able to find his way through the unknown tunnel blindly. Drawing on the calming atmosphere around him, he drew his hands together and reformed the orb of light between his hands. Keeping it as dim as possible so as not to blind himself with brightness, he silently made his way down the smoothly carved corridor.
Chapter 7
Meena placed a protective hand over the small wooden chest under her arm. She peered into the courtyard, keeping the chest hidden behind the door. Celesta was nowhere in sight.
A small crowd, however, gathered around the outer gate. Standing next to King Frederich, Onric addressed four of the regular guards.
Aizel was at one side of the group, but she was watching a carpenter reinforce the gate.
Meena waited behind the door. This gathering looked serious, and she wanted to avoid it. It wasn’t the seriousness of it that she wanted to avoid, of course, but because her own plan was frivolous and she did not want anyone to judge her.
“Yes,” Onric appeared to be answering a guard’s question. “Her magic will only be applied to items which bolster the castle’s defense. It will have no effect on you, or any other person at all.”
Two of the men shuffled their feet uncomfortably.
Meena hid a little further behind the door. She was glad her father had accepted Aizel’s help, but she couldn’t blame the men for being wary.
Aizel looked small, standing with her arms crossed, a step away from the rest of the group.
“How can a nail be a better nail?” one of the guards asked, directing his question over Aizel to Onric and the king.
Onric appeared to have no answer to that question and looked to his father.
“A nail only has one function. It’s just got to go into the wood,” another guard asked over the silence. “How do we know it won’t be dangerous?”
“Yeah,” a third one spoke up, emboldened by his peers. His glance strayed to Aizel, animosity in his eyes.
Aizel leaned her shoulder’s back, but kept her feet in place.
Meena straightened her neck. Discomfort could be tolerated, stupidity could not.
Dropping the wooden chest to the floor, she walked into the courtyard, striding confidently toward the group. Onric stepped aside, catching her eye as she joined the circle. She did not stop walking, however, and the guards separated so she could approach the gate behind them.
“A nail has two functions,” she said loudly. “To go into the wood and not come out.” She emphasized the final few words as she tugged at a particularly loose nail on the gate. It slid out of its place into her hand. She turned around to face the quiet group of men behind her. “A nail can always be a better nail.”
“Thank you, Philomena,” King Frederich said. His voice carrying neither censure nor praise.
Onric smirked at her before addressing the rest of the men. “Aizel’s harmony magic does not pose a threat to any of us here. We are grateful for her aid.”
“Yes, captain,” one of the soldiers replied.
They seemed somewhat subdued.
Though the air had previously been calm, a strong gust of wind blew forcefully through the courtyard, whipping Meena’s hair around her face.
