'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 ...