Page 32 of Dark's Savior

"Because most of the miners are also too big to fit," Ryziel responded. "Even the smallest lygin would have to squeeze their way in. And likely, they will get stuck in the process..."

It was then Aly realized she had slowly snuck her way behind them, listening to every word they said like it was some kind of beacon in the dark.

It was so obvious what they needed. If she believed in any higher power, she would almost take it for a sign.

"I could do it," she blurted aloud.

The goblin jumped and turned toward her, scowling, while Ryziel dropped his hands to the console and slowly turned his head to fix her with a sharp gaze.

"I could do it," Aly repeated.

The goblin made a strange grunt. "Firstly, it's rude to eavesdrop, human. Secondly, hell no."

Aly glanced at Ryziel then back at the goblin. "Why not? I've had to fit through small spaces before when working above. I might be able to help—"

"Because you’re a walking liability and probably the least durable species on Xolis by far," the goblin stated. "Your skin looks more breakable than the pillows my mother made for den children before they were old enough to walk. One bad fall or cut on a rock and you will probably be bleeding all over the place. Trust me, I saw enough when Ryziel brought you. And I am not helping to patch you up again."

Aly felt heat rush to her face at that. She knew they had to have seen pretty much all of her to help fix her wounds. Knowing Ryziel had didn't leave her too embarrassed but both of them together...

Aly cleared her throat, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I'm more durable than you think. And the slipsuit protects me...well, maybe not from the things that attacked me but certainly from rocks, at least."

The goblin snorted and turned away. Aly looked to Ryziel instead, who had remained silent, watching her.

"I can help..." she said softly.

Ryziel didn't move, but she could tell from his expression he was thinking. He turned back to the console, looking down at the map, rubbing his fingers underneath his jaw.

"Nar is right, it would likely be too dangerous. Unless humans have some natural inner defense, I see no qualities that tell me you are able to protect yourself."

Aly opened her mouth then closed it when he side-eyed her.

"Grex have venom, krull have talons, urk," he pointed to the goblin, "are quick climbers and runners and can see in the dark. There are things in the deep underground where one needs to be able to fight or flee if they have to."

"I can use a weapon," Aly said as she unclasped her waist bag and took out a pocket-knife.

Nar laughed. Ryziel didn't. He rubbed at his face some more, his eyes looking over her like he was struggling with some deep inner issue that was more than her feeble attempt to convince him she could help.

Aly dropped the hand holding the knife. "All right, maybe I'm not fit for the wilds or anything, but Icanget into tighter places. And you need someone to do that. And you said yourself a lot of things can't fit into those spaces, so I can at least hide."

"Great," Nar said. "And I suppose we will just have to keep you from getting killed at every turn."

Aly shrugged. "There is risk to everything, is there not? And," she turned her eyes again to Ryziel, "if you are with me, you could protect me."

Ryziel's expression turned dark, and Aly feared she might have said the wrong thing. He looked away from her, his head bowed over the map.

"No," he finally said, after a long silence. "No. You have to go back toward the surface. I can't use you."

Aly wasn't sure if he meant that as an insult or a polite way of saying he didn't want to abuse her as a worker. Either way, disappointment jabbed her in the chest.

Before she could get in another word, Ryziel moved away from the console and headed to the other side of the cavern, disappearing into a different cave opening closed off with a black curtain.

Aly watched him go then looked back at Nar, who was eyeing her.

"Honestly, human, you either have a lot of guts or no brains. You almost died out there. And you probably think sluths are the worst there is."

"I'm gonna take a guess and say they aren't," Aly said.

"Far from it. Some things get to the surface every so often, sure, but most of those things are harmless compared to what you might encounter past the mine's defenses, down in the deeper parts." Nar shook his head. "And if the enforcers are watching your kind, the last thing we need is for them to come sniffing around again."

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