Chapter 168: Spelunking

Anaisa watched as everyone bedded down for the night. The cave boasted a lot of smaller rooms and alcoves, but most everyone wanted to stay near to the others after suffering isolation in the darkness.

Some central lamps burned, keeping the atmosphere from becoming too eerie.

The most worrisome aspect was Martin. He seemed drained, and unable to open the cave entrance just yet. He assured everyone breathlessly that he would be able to by the time morning came.

Anaisa hoped that was true.

She also hoped that the other guards didn't try to murder them in their sleep. Anaisa whispered her concern to Trace, who squeezed her hand.

"It'll be all right," He promised. "Somehow, we'll make it through."

Things did seem much less complicated, trapped in a cave, than in the palace where all manner of drama and lies and intrigue reigned. The goal for now was simply to survive the night, if it was night, and have Martin let them out.