THE LAST DAYS PASSED REMARKABLY fast and it felt scary to wake and know that tonight was our last night in these caves. Tomorrow, by midday perhaps, we'd be above ground.

I lay there in the dark, eyes wide and heart racing at the thought of it all and reached for the chain around my neck, tracing along to the weight of the ring. I'd given up trying to wear it in the caves, too worried I'd damage it but I would wear it into battle. I wanted to have something of his near to me ...