The sun hadn't finished rising when the group left the inn.
Borin handed them a rough map of the tunnel and a bag of provisions. There were no grand farewells. An arm-clasp with Kára and a nod of the head toward the others.
They left through Khazad-Gor's south gate. The stone walls fell behind them and the road became a gravel path running along the mountain's slope. The air was cold and smelled of minerals.
Kára went ahead, map in one hand and mana crystal in the other.
"The tunnel is further ahead. My ancestors used it to move merchandise without going through customs. It's old, but it won't collapse."
"The rest is our problem," said Varkas.
Darian said nothing. Every now and then he slipped his hand into the inner pocket of his jacket and touched Aria's note. He didn't need to read it. Every word was already engraved in his memory.
Vael, on his shoulder, turned his head back frequently. He growled softly, restless.
"Easy," Darian murmured. "We're going to find her."
The path narrowed until it became a pass between two rock walls. At the end, a dark opening gaped in the hillside, half hidden by undergrowth.
They went in.
The tunnel was narrow at first, but soon widened. The walls had pick marks worn down by centuries. The floor was damp in some stretches. The echo of their boots bounced off the darkness.
They walked in silence for a good while. Varkas was the first to speak.
"When we find her, what do you plan to do?"
Darian didn't need to ask who he meant.
"Bring her back."
"Even if it means going to the Elven Kingdom."
"Wherever it takes."
Varkas nodded.
The tunnel began to widen. The walls gave way to a natural chamber, a stone vault supported by eroded columns. Kára's mana crystal barely illuminated part of it. The rest was darkness.
Vael tensed.
He let out a sharp roar.
A dagger whistled past Darian's ear and buried itself in the wall, a hand's width from his head.
"Ambush!" Varkas shouted.
Three figures emerged from between the columns. Human. Worn leather clothes. Short swords and daggers. They said nothing. They just attacked.
The first went straight for Kára. She blocked with the hammer handle and returned a blow that sent him staggering back. The second charged Varkas. The giant took the impact on his arm and shoved him into a column.
The third, a bald man with a scar on his cheek, launched himself at Darian. Two curved-blade daggers gleamed in the dim light. Darian drew his swords. The blades glowed in the darkness.
Vael jumped from Darian's shoulder and perched on a high ledge. His golden eyes fixed on the bald man. A deep roar, still small, resonated through the chamber.
The mercenary went still for a moment. He looked at Vael.
"So it's true. A dragon."
Darian didn't respond. He just advanced.
The bald man smiled.
"We don't need to win. Just make you arrive late."
The three regrouped, blocking the way. The bald man spun his daggers.
"And we're managing it."
Varkas drew his full sword.
"Then hurry up. We're in a rush."
The mercenaries attacked all at once.