Free Embers of an Age (Blood War Trilogy) by Tim Marquitz Page B

to Olenn’s ears . The darkness closed in as she tapped Kylle’s foot over and over to let him know she was still there. She tried to look past the boys , but there was nothing to see. The voices of the soldiers bounced along inside the tunnel to guide them forward, but there was no light to be found.
    The air was cold and stale as Ellora drew in short, shallow breaths. She had no idea where the tunnel led or what waited on the other side, but she convinced herself it could be no worse than what would happen were she to risk the prince’s wrath.
    After what seemed forever in the dark hole, Ellora at last spied a glimmer of brightness, muted by the shuffling boys ahead . They continued on and came to the end of the tunnel, where they were helped up by the soldiers. Ellora watched them clear the hole and hurried faster to reach the exit. A burly hand pulled her up once she did, and set her on her feet.
    They were in a large cavern that reached up and disappeared into the blackness above. What had seemed such a bright light while she was in the tunnel was little more than a flicker coming from a distant crevice at the far end of the cavern. Once h er eyes became accustomed to the darkness, she could see well enough as the soldiers herded them from the hole. One of the men called out and let his voice rumble through to the world outside. A moment later, Ellora heard the scrape of more people coming through the tunnel. She assumed it was the princess and her husband, and then Olenn and the rest of the soldiers would follow.
    A short while later, Malya emerged, followed by Falen and the rest, the prince crawling out last. He dusted his knees and waved the group on, stepping past his men to take the lead.
    They walked slow across the slick stone floor and headed straight for the lighted crevice Ellora had seen. She could feel the ocean shaking the stone around them and hear its thunderous impacts, the sound growing as they traveled on. Through another tunnel, this one large enough to stand, they went, the stone walls winding serpentine through the mountain. Light and sound continued to build until they finally broke free from the confines of stone and stepped out into a broad cavern that culminated in the distance at a circular opening . Orange and yellow daylight spilled through the cave that Ellora assumed led to the shore of the Iron Ocean, spatters of white frothy water sprinkling into the cavern. She covered her eyes to deflect the sudden brightness. Malya and her husband stopped as soon as they saw the water, the princess reaching for her children.
    Olenn slapped her hands away, his men restraining Falen as he did. “ Do not worry, little sister, I’ve no interest in seeing you or your sons boiled alive. The cave doesn’t open directly to the ocean. We will slog through miles of ankle deep water and the tumult will spit on us the entire way, but your precious family will be safe.” He waved his men forward, the soldiers tugging their prisoners along.
    Ellora stepped in line, Argos and Kylle beside her. As they neared the opening, the crash of waves was almost deafening. She hesitated for just an instant as the first of the group turned the corner and stepped outside the protective walls of the cavern but saw they suffered no ill effects. She went out after them and slowed once more. All of them did.
    Splashes of warm water rained down over her, but the ocean was nowhere to be seen. A massive wall of stone rose up in front of cave opening and soared up into the sky. Ellora couldn’t see to the top of it, her balance disoriented in the attempt. She righted herself and looked at the glistening rock in awe. Cut along its side was a narrow canyon that seemed to go on forever, twisting and turning and following the curve of the mountain.
    “See, Malya, we are safe. This passage leads us deep into Lathahn territory, turning into a cave that finally intersects with the warrens behind the city.” He emphasized the direction