Page 72 of On a Barbarian World

She found the old clasps at the base of the helmet and flicked them open. She pulled the helmet off.

The warriors all gasped.

“This is an enviro suit. It’s a really old model, but space travelers wear them to survive in harsh environments.” She lifted her scanner. It beeped and she looked up at Kavon. “He’s not Markarian, he’s definitely human.” She swallowed back the excitement making her a little giddy. “We must be getting close to the ship.”

Kavon nodded, still staring at the body.

“He…he is one of the First Warriors,” Darroch breathed.

She glanced back at the long-dead man. “Yes, I guess he was.”

After a moment’s silence, Kavon stepped back. “We keep moving.”

As they trekked deeper down the tunnel, it started to narrow. Soon, they had to walk in single file to make it through. Of course, Kavon refused to let her lead. His over-protectiveness left her amused, annoyed, and feeling safe all at once.

Then the roof of the tunnel lowered. They stopped, all staring at the tiny space.

She got the impression warriors did not like crawling. Kavon nodded his head, and with a giant sigh, Colm fell to his knees and squeezed his massive shoulders through the gap and disappeared. Kavon followed, and then Aurina wriggled through after them. Behind her, she heard Darroch and Kian muttering and cursing.

Thankfully, the gap widened again, and the roof rose. She stood, and saw Colm and Kavon standing over something, hands on their hips.

“What is it?” She hurried over and her mouth dropped open.

A sheet of twisted metal lay against the wall. She crouched, lifting her scanner again. “It definitely looks ship-grade.” Results filled her scanner screen. “It’s been subjected to a lot of heat and force.” She touched it, wondering who had made it, how long ago, and how it had ended up here—in the dark of a buried tunnel on a barbarian world.

Her hand brushed something engraved into the metal. She grabbed her light wand and tilted her head to read the words. “Infinity Aerospace Industries.” Her eyes widened. “Stars, Infinity still makes starships today.” Her gaze collided with Kavon’s. “The company began on Earth. Kavon, this is from a Terran starship.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kavon felt a growing sense of dread. He didn’t know if it was his nanami warning him of something, or just his own disturbed feelings from being so deep underground. They kept moving, and soon the tunnel opened into another vast cavern. This one was missing the glowing nanami.

Aurina strode forward, looking around. Her shoulders slumped. “Nothing.” She turned back, disappointment stamped all over her face. “There’s nothing here.”

As he watched her kick at the dirt, he knew his sense of dread was centered on her.

He didn’t want her to leave him, and this quest no longer felt like it was about avenging his father or cementing the favor of the king. Kavon felt that every step deeper into these tunnels was putting Aurina farther away from him.

He frowned. Even though he knew she didn’t fit, he wanted this bright, vibrant woman in his life long term. His hands curled.

“Definitely nothing here.” She looked at his warriors, who were also searching the cavern. “Anything?” When Colm gave her a single shake of his head, she sighed. “We move on and keep looking.”

Kavon hated seeing her so dejected, and right now, he needed to touch her and feel her warmth pressed against him. He pulled her close, tipped her head back, and kissed her. When he lifted his head, her eyes were closed, her lips parted.

“We will find what we’re looking for,” he told her. “I’ve realized you are a very stubborn and determined woman.”

“Damn right.” She opened her eyes and smiled, then her gaze slipped past him, angled upward. She went stiff and air hissed out of her.

He turned, his arms tightening on her.

There was no giant dusa or anything threatening them.

But high above, lodged on some rocks, sat what he guessed was a mangled starship.

The warriors all spread out, looking at it. Kavon couldn’t see the roof of the cavern, and suspected it went right to the top of the mountain where they’d encountered the naga.

Aurina was staring at the ship. “This is it, Kavon. This is how your ancestors came here. Durendal might be resting inside that ship. I need to get up there.”

He eyed the steep rock wall. He didn’t like the idea of her climbing up there, but he shoved his discomfort away. “Come here.” He gripped her waist and lifted her up.