17
We hurried up the winding tunnels and I was glad for the fresh night air as I climbed out of the stone mine cart. The stars greeted us with only a partial smile as a few small clouds glided across the sky. Eric came after me and strode a few paces away from the hillside before he turned to face the island proper. A frown creased his lips.
I moved to stand at his side and turned to see what he’d noticed. My eyes widened slightly as I beheld a plume of coal-black smoke float up from the far side of the island and somewhere near the top. Those were where the residential quarters were located. Faint shouts and cries could be heard, and I glimpsed shadowy figures race to and fro on the top tiers.
“Let’s go see what the trouble is,” Eric suggested as he moved off without waiting for
