Chapter 16

Rather than following the winding path from the ledge into the city, the trio flattened themselves to the floor and peered over the edge. There was much to observe.

First, the workmanship that went into creating this place. Even if the mountain had been hollow from the beginning, the amount of chiseling required to create the dozens of doorways and smaller holes for windows boggled the mind. For decoration, vines and flowers had been carved along with lines and swirls that might have been a language like what they’d seen outside the cave. Globes of light emitting no smoke appeared embedded in the stone, providing illumination. The ramp leading down wound around the mini city in the pit, the road wide enough to handle a horse-drawn wagon and several people abreast. Not a speculation but fact, since they saw it in use by the bustling residents. Some carried baskets, others toted long poles with buckets on either end. No one stood around chatting. Everyone seemed intent on their task. Oddly enough, Avera spotted no guards, something Gustav remarked on.

“Whatever this place is, they aren’t afraid of being discovered. There’s no one stationed anywhere keeping watch.”

“Maybe because no one is crazy enough to explore the spire,” countered Josslyn.

Or whoever was in charge didn’t worry about intruders because no one who saw the hidden city could leave. Surely if these residents of the hamlet could have returned home, they would have, right? What kept them here? What kept them moving around like drudges? Apart from the lack of talk, Avera heard no laughter, saw no children racing around being young, no one slacking. Given how often Avera had been ignored growing up, she’d grown adept at observing people and their behavior. This came across as highly unnatural.

Josslyn noticed it, too, and murmured, “They’re like ants. Busy, busy, busy.” An apt comparison.

“What’s that big, dark section at the very bottom?” Gustav craned and squinted.

“Looks like a lake of ice.” The surface was opaque and glistening in spots as water pooled atop it.

“Are they trying to melt it?” Josslyn whispered, pointing to the many fires burning around its circumference.

“Seems like,” Gustav replied.

“Why?” Avera squinted. “I don’t think they need it for water. I see a well.” Someone manned a crank and brought up a large bucket every time someone with a container arrived.

“Trying to uncover treasure?” opined Gustav.

“How would they even know it was in that block of ice?” Josslyn argued. “And what are they burning? There are no trees to be found on the mountain.”

“My guess is they’re using anything they can. Like the missing animals.” Gustav pointed as someone emerged from a cave with a wheelbarrow piled with fur. They headed down the ramp to the burning fires only they stumbled and dumped their load, sending the lumps tumbling, including a recognizable shape.

“Is that a horse’s head?” Avera didn’t hide her surprise, and then a terrible thought hit her. “Oh, no, Luna.”

Gustav put a hand on hers. “I don’t think they’re burning the useful ones yet. Look over there.” A glance to where he indicated showed a horse pulling a wagon filled with dark rocks from a tunnel. Not Luna, but a relief to see, nonetheless. It might mean Luna could be liberated... if Avera could locate her without getting into a fight.

“Now what?” asked Josslyn. “Do we rescue the townsfolk?”

“From whom?” Gustav asked. “I don’t see anyone ordering them around. Seems like they could leave anytime but are choosing not to.”

“He’s got a point,” a frowning Avera agreed. Despite watching, not a single foreman had been seen, or at least not any in uniform. No one wielded a whip like the marauders were said to use on their slaves. Not a single voice shouted orders. “Something must be keeping them here. Perhaps the guards are out of sight.”

“Or it’s the mist,” Gustav declared.

“It might have brought them, but it’s not keeping them. The cavern is clear,” Avera pointed out. It was how Josslyn had snapped out of her fugue.

“For now,” was his somber reply.

“Do you think the melting of the lake is causing the mist? As it heats, vapor rises and—" Josslyn started to say only to get interrupted as Gustav snorted.

“Doesn’t seem likely. The mist we encountered made it down the mountain and enveloped the town while also convincing people to leave their homes and come here. Not to mention, it doesn’t account for the music.”

“Do you have a better explanation?” was his sister’s tart reply.

“No.” Gustav’s mouth pinched. “This whole situation is very strange.”

“Do you think this is what my mother wanted me to see?” While disturbing and extraordinary, Avera wasn’t sure she understood the importance. Other than this hidden city somehow stealing people, what did this have to do with ruling Daerva?

“Your mother wouldn’t have known given it appears recent,” Gustav replied.

“This is all very confusing,” sighed Avera.

“Agreed. Perhaps there is a simple explanation. Maybe we haven’t watched long enough,” Gustav said, resting his chin on his hands to stare.

“You watch, I’m napping.” Josslyn curled against her rucksack and closed her eyes.

As for Avera, she tried to be as observant as Gustav, but her eyes grew heavy. Blame the lack of sleep and the long trek.

She woke to someone shaking her. No wait, dragging her since the three of them remained tethered. Avera tried to brace herself but both Josslyn and Gustav were in the grips of the mist that had once more risen. The combined strength of their determination to go down into the city proved stronger than she was. If Avera could get to her feet, she could touch them and break them free of the compulsion. However, before she could scramble upright, the rope between them snapped.

Make that severed… by someone who emerged from the thick mist, wearing a cowled cloak with a dagger in hand.

“Why did you do that?” Avera complained as she rose from the ground, weapon in hand. The cowled figure didn’t threaten and sheathed its dagger. Avera held back from attacking and quickly glanced at her descending companions.

Should she go after them?

The stranger must have guessed her internal query for they grabbed hold of her arm and hissed, “Leave them. We have much to discuss, Queen Avera Voxspira.”

The use of her full name and title froze Avera. She glanced at the person. “How do you know who I am?”

“Because I’ve been waiting for you.”