Page 33 of Hope Forged
“Why did you come down here?” she asked, trying to keep the irritation from her voice.
“Curiosity,” he said, dipping his chin to his chest. “A hard lesson has been learned. Tell me, what manner of species are you?” He directed his attention to Coll, and by his scientific tone,she didn’t want to stay around for the many questions he no doubt had.
She rose to her feet, intent on searching for Seba. He’d galloped past her father and disappeared into the dank darkness.
“Curiosity,” Illan whispered, his breath fanning her cheek when he leaned closer. “Seba must have found an easier way in.”
“Yes.” She stopped at the edge of the light, arched her back, and yodeled.
A roar responded, then a moment later, Seba appeared. He bounced on the spot, his big feet sinking into the soil.
“Ohara, how’d you get here?” She knelt and rubbed behind his ears, massaging the tips the way he liked it.
He swung his great head, glancing over his shoulder, a small whine escaping him.
“Can you show me?” she asked.
Illan grunted from behind her.
She glared at him. “He’s not stupid.”
“I did not say he was. It is your foolish determination to ease your curiosity. We should leave with your father.”
“And if this happens again?” She leaped to her feet. “No, it’s best we learn what we can while we’re here. Besides, I’m not leaving Seba alone. What if he can’t escape this place?”
“We must reach the surface to port,” Coll said. “The med-gun can heal most injuries, but the bones have fused incorrectly. I will escort Amet to our ship, to the med-E.D. on board.”
“As you deem necessary.” Padya smiled at Ziamee. “I had lost hope of seeing you again, ohara.”
She sniffed and gave him an awkward hug. “Focus on getting well. Illan and I will find Seba’s way in.”
“No, it’s unsafe.” His gaze flickered to the lake.
Coll removed a spare harness he’d clipped to his own. He worked it onto Padya, not once hurting him. Then before anyonecould ask, Coll hoisted her father into his arms as if he weighed nothing. That said much about his strength.
“Do not worry about us.” Illan gestured at a pacing Seba. “And leave the rope in case we lose the beast. Secure the Durn, and have Brac guard the crevice.”
“Are you certain?” Coll frowned, then shook his head. “Use your suits to regulate your temperature.” They disappeared, the darkness swallowing them.
“What about a flare?” she called after Coll.
“Etterians have excellent vision,” Illan said.
She strained to hear their fading movements while peering in the direction of the cavern’s ceiling. “What did he mean about the suit? What’s that?”
“He meant your armor.”
She gasped and touched the soft garment covering her chest. “This?”
“No.” Illan studied the disturbance across the lake. “Let us not linger.”
She stamped her foot. “Answer me then.”
“Ziamee, something watches,” he whispered.
She froze and focused on her surroundings, sensing the undercurrent of danger. He was right, and she hated that. “Where’s Seba?” Padya she couldn’t do anything about but a wayward Seba… She spun on the spot, then pointed at his footprints. “This way.”
“Wait—”
