Chapter 218

'IGNATIUS!'

I twisted at Belsesus' loud call. Ignatius crouched in the opening of one of the many tunnels that speckled the side of the cave, his shoulder and arm dark. I stood from where I'd sat with Loi and hurried across the cave.

'Just step off,' Kassie called to him. 'I'll lower you.'

The sudden look of doubt made me smile and those watching laughed, but I could see now the dark patches on his mail were blood. He'd have a tricky time climbing down. He barely got the chance to nod before I felt Kassie swirl a bubble around him and the Lieutenant lurched off the edge. The visible gasp of shock, then carefully schooled adjustment to an expression of disinterest made me chuckle.

'What got you?' Larvaste asked once Ignatius stood on the ground.

'Vorks. I found three of them.'

'Anything else? Does the tunnel go far?'

'No. Still a way before we see sky.'

I waited while the men questioned him, then followed when he headed to where his bag and bedroll sat. 'Ignatius.'

He twisted,