Mera's huffing echoed through the narrow passage, loud enough that Carissa feared those outside the passage might hear them.

Carissa stopped crawling, glad she could give her knees a break. The rough stone floor of the passage had torn through her trousers long ago, bloodying her knees. But they couldn't keep stopping. "Do you need another break, Mera?"

"No. Fine."

"I'm not sure you are fine."

"Keep... going."

Carissa crept forward, muttering under her breath, "I wish she hadn't come."

"Heard... that. I'm... trying."

"I know. But the healer-woman was right: you are pregnant."

"Not even... noticable."

"I should have made you remain behind. The strain on your body can't be good for you."

"Must avenge... father."

Ryther chuckled. "You know, when Tian was my only companion, there was much less conversation."

Carissa slowed at an intersection. "Which way?"

"To your left."

She veered around to the left. What could the other passageways lead to? What would the Reaper King want to have access to through these tunnels?

After a few minutes of crawling, Tian drew a deep breath. "After ten paces of distance, we'll be there."

The end of the tunnel was swallowed by darkness. Carissa lifted her hands and felt a small square wooden door. She fumbled until she found the handle and opened it. More darkness. The temperature plummeted, making the hairs on her arm prickle.

The Reaper King was here.

"Now," Ryther whispered, "I'll hand you the key, and—"

"Key? Is it supposed to be locked?"

A beat of silence. "Are you saying it's unlocked?"

"I just opened it."

Ryther breathed in sharply but remained silent.

What now? And why would it be unlocked? Could the Reaper King be expecting them? Was this a trap? Had Ryther led them into a trap?

"Ryther," Carissa whispered, "you go first."

She heard a rather unmanly squeak behind her. "What? But—"

"You can scout for us."

Ryther muttered several somethings under his breath before shuffling closer. He scraped past her in the passage before crawling out of the tunnel. His steps were completely silent, and she hadn't the faintest idea where he was.

Light exploded across the room, and Carissa forced her eyes to remain open despite the pain splitting her head.

Once her eyes had adjusted, she saw Ryther stood by a purple-tinted torch. The room he stood in was simple: a bare cot, a shelf of ancient books, and a chest as big as a bed. A sword was propped against the edge of the cot. It reminded her of Sir Valen's room at the palace—sparse and practical.

What sort of man was the Reaper King?

"The coast is clear," Ryther said. "He must be elsewhere. We can lie in wait here until he returns."

Carissa crawled out of the passage and helped Mera out. The passage was concealed on this side with a simple wooden door, level with the floor. She shut it and tested the handle again. It remained unlocked.

A quick survey of the room revealed that, aside from the passage, the only entrance was a thick stone door. It appeared it could be barred from the inside.

"Where could we hide in here?" Mera asked. "There's almost no furniture."

"Perhaps Carissa can hide by the door," Ryther said. "And attack him when he enters. If he doesn't realize it's Carissa, then perhaps he'll try to absorb her soul."

Which meant she would die. The though aroused of a flurry of excitement and fear. Though she wanted to see Elon, she imagined dying would feel quite unpleasant.

"Mera can take cover behind the chest, and I'll hide behind the bookshelf."

Carissa nodded. "Excellent idea. And if something goes wrong, I'll distract him long enough for you two to escape."

"Absolutely not," Mera said. "If you go down, I'll go down with you."

Was it worth it to try and convince Mera otherwise? Or should she save her breath?

The heat was sucked from the room, and the cold stole Carissa's breath. She released it, her exhale frosting the air. "He's here."

***

Author's Note: I know this is pitifully short, and I'm sorry! This is just what I have at the moment. :P