“How do we know if it works?” Flea asked.

“Tell him to do something.”

Flea set the lantern on the floor. “Yuri, pick up my lantern.”

Yuri walked over and grasped the handle, lifting the light.

“Wow,” Flea said.

“That’s one thing to go right,” I said.

“The first of many. Come on, Yuri, follow me.”

We returned to the surface to join our teams.

“How much toxin do you have?” I asked Saul.

“We’re out. Prince Ryne took the last of it when he left. I was hoping you had more,” Saul said.

I cursed under my breath. “I have two sacks left.” Rummaging in my pack, I withdrew them. “Here.”

“You keep one.”

My gut reaction was to refuse, but there was a chance of running into a dead patrol when we crept in from the west. “All right.”

After a quick review of the plan, we split up. Kerrick and I had said our see-you-laters last night, but I still hugged him tight. Then I hugged Belen and Flea, making them both promise to be careful.

My team descended into the tunnels and I asked Private Beau to take point with Quain assisting. Quain had found the maps for this shaft and they were tucked into his pack just in case Beau lost his way. I followed them while Loren assumed the rear-guard position. Beau’s squad, led by Sergeant Walmer, stayed behind me. Fourteen people total, including Private Red Hair.

While not under the most ideal conditions—hard rock, mucky puddles, damp air, clammy walls—our trip went well. Keeping track of the days proved the most difficult task since the lanterns provided the only light. And I had to be careful how much sleep powder I mixed since I didn’t want to waste time by oversleeping.

Beau stopped us about a quarter mile from the exit. “Do we want to make sure the way is clear before we all go?” he asked.

Good idea.

“We’ll go,” Loren said, volunteering Quain.

“No lanterns,” I said. “There should be daylight outside. Just take a peek and report back.”

“Yes, sir.” Quain saluted me with his dagger.

“The shaft veers to the right and there’s a steep slope to the exit,” Beau explained. “Just keep a hand on the wall.”

The monkeys nodded and soon disappeared into the darkness. Unable to keep still, I fidgeted with the straps on my pack and checked my knives. I counted seconds in my head, calculating how long it would take for them to travel a half mile.

When they failed to return by my estimate, I pulled my stiletto and mentally gave them another five minutes before we’d investigate.

To my vast relief, they returned with a minute to spare. However, their serious expressions meant bad news.

“Well?” I asked.

“The way out is blocked,” Loren said.

“A cave-in?” Beau asked.

“No, but something that’s almost as impenetrable.”

“Just tell us,” I ordered.