Page 70 of Kingdom of Rot & Ruin
Shava shook her head. “No, the other caves. Zariah said this mountain is full of them.”
My brow furrowed in thought. “This kingdom used to be rich from mining. It would make sense if there were tunnels that connected old mines to the kingdom, wouldn’t it?”
Shava blinked. “Like tunnels? I know of a few tunnels.”
Now it was my turn to blink. “You do?” The possibilities exploded in my brain, my mind whirling with all the implications.
“Stupid me. I forgot all about them, but there was an old tunnel in the mud quarter. If there are more that lead out of the kingdom, that’s our ticket to smuggle people out!” Shava said, standing up with excitement.
I nodded slowly. I’d had no idea of how I’d actually ‘help’ her when I agreed to it, but this was a definite possibility.
“There are more details to figure out, but finding if tunnels exist would be a good start,” I admitted slowly.
Not to mention, I could find an even more secluded, secure place to do my rituals.
D reached out and plucked a stick with meat out of the fire, testing its heat with the pad of a finger. Blowing on it once, he wolfed it down and reached for another.
I took a stick for myself and held one out to Shava. We crossed sticks and traded grins.
“Cheers.”
It was unseasoned, and a little charred on the outside, but it would do. D and Shava ate with apparent relish, and again I was forced to admit the privileged life I had led, despite its hardships.
It made me angry on Shava’s and D’s behalf. They shouldn’t have to fight for the right for food and safety, only once reaped and at the palace. The disparity of resources made no sense. Once I was more powerful, I’d use my powers and my alliance with Zariah to make real changes.
My fingers itched to plan my next ritual.
One thing at a time.
“Where are these other caves?” I said instead.
Shava pointed behind me, to the left of our cave. I followed the direction of her finger, heart sinking as I sawthe dark slice cut into the rock, level with us. Only a thin ledge of stone lay connecting where we were to the thin opening.
“You aren’t serious,” I deadpanned.
Shava grabbed another stick of meat and downed it, chewing loudly.
“What?” she asked, her mouth still full. She swallowed, wiping her greasy hands on her tunic. “That? I’ve scaled thinner ledges than that in the mud district.”
“But you never explored the tunnel in the mud quarter?” I challenged, one eyebrow raised.
Shava rolled her eyes. “You try to poke around forbidden tunnels with Fireguards up your ass every hour of the day and night.”
D cowered a bit, as if caught unawares by a bad memory.
I hated the constant reminders of how disparate our childhoods were. I didn’t like the feelings it brought up in me; feelings that only complicated my goals and ambitions.
Because you know it isn’t right.
She shucked off her ineffective silk slippers from the palace, which were already torn and had a hole in her left sole. I glanced down at my own shoes, but I didn’t see how my sandals would help her, being much larger than her feet.
An uneasy tingle went down my spine as she eased her way onto the ledge and crept sideways, progressing inch by inch. Her bare feet gripped hard onto the ledge, doing just as much work as the fingers that clutched onto the rocks.
At least I didn’t have to feel bad about keeping my own shoes on.
A small hand balled into the fabric of my tunic, and I whipped around.
“Do you think she’s gonna make it?” whispered a small voice.
