‘Absolutely not.’ He focused again on the first girl who had spoken. ‘You. Will you be my second-in-command?’

She angled her head, thinking. ‘Do I have to do exactly what you say?’

He nodded. ‘You also have to ensure that everyone else does exactly what I say.’

She appeared pleased by that thought. ‘And punish those who don’t listen?’

‘I’m certain everyone will listen to you. What’s your name, soldier?’

‘Wynne, sir.’

‘How old are you?’

‘Seven.’

He nodded. ‘Optimal age for this position. Now, listen carefully, because I'm only going to say this once. First thing, I need everyone to move away from this hole so as to not draw the attention of the guards. Have them do whatever they normally do and pretend nothing’s happening over here.’

The girl looked around at the children pressed together around the hole. ‘You heard the man. Off you go, before I start lopping off fingers.’

The area cleared out quickly. He had chosen well.

‘I want you to bring me the youngest child in the enclosure, and I’m going to take them through the tunnel. Others will come through after me, and it’s your responsibility to have the next youngest ready to go.’

‘But I don’t know everyone’s age.’

‘That’s all right. Go by size. You can bring me the smallest child in here, all right?’

She looked around, eyes wide. ‘You mean the babies?’

Blackmane’s stomach fell. ‘There are babies in here?’

She nodded.

Apparently they were not prepared to lose their workers for too long. ‘Yes. Bring me one of the babies.’

Wynne disappeared from sight, returning a minute later awkwardly holding a baby who was no older than six months old.

‘Her mother cries every morning when the guards take her. Then the baby cries all day. I brought you the noisy one first.’

That revelation extinguished any doubts he was having in that moment. They would get the mother out, and the two of them would never be separated again.

He took the infant and tucked it against his chest. ‘Have the next one ready, all right?’

‘Yes, sir.’

The journey back through the tunnel took twice as long with the baby. Without a hand free to navigate, he frequently brushed against the walls, resulting in dirt crumbling down around him. At least there was better airflow now. Still, by the time he reached the other end, he was sweating profusely, and the baby was crying.

Everyone appeared shocked when he emerged and offered up the infant.

‘Are you fucking joking?’ Tatum said, taking the crying infant from him and handing it to the runner. ‘Someone find a wet nurse.’

‘We’re going to need more than one,’ Blackmane added.

The runner tucked the baby against him and took off. One of Thorn’s men dropped down into the shaft, preparing to leave.