Wyvern Awakening (Mage Chronicles #1) by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

Author:Joanna Mazurkiewicz [Mazurkiewicz, Joanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The deal

The troll’s eager to lead the way and I know I have to be vigilant about my surroundings. Other contestants entered the tunnel first, but the cave stretches all the way into the mountains; they could’ve gone anywhere. I have a feeling the crystals are blocking some of my abilities. I do feel an unfamiliar, low buzz of energy in the back of my skull. The troll sings a song in a language I don’t recognise, as he walks in front of me.

I struggle to move through the narrow pathways, bending my neck at awkward angles, while trying to avoid sharp rocks protruding from the cave walls and rocky floor. The crystals shimmer in the tar darkness, like diamonds and stars in the sky. My blood pressure’s rising as we move lower and lower into the underground.

Before long, we enter a lengthy tunnel with rusty rail tracks that must have been built by others years ago. The troll points at an old, corroded trolley and says,

“You have to step inside. We’ll ride from here.”

I hesitate, wondering if I should really trust him, but I have no idea how I’m supposed to find those crystals on my own. It looks like I have to trust this little guy, and just follow his lead.

“How will I get back?”

“The same way, come … come, there’s no time to waste.” He rushes me, opening a set of small, metal doors. I exhale and decide to worry about getting back to the castle later. I sit at the bottom of the trolley, while the troll gets inside too and releases some kind of block from the wheels, and we begin riding down.

The tunnel narrows and moments later, we’re showered with water surging down from above. The space opens up and right in front of us there’s a huge drop. The cave must spread over several miles. I feel sick and try to sit back up. The trolley rattles, shakes and drops down unexpectedly, gaining speed. I’ve never been anywhere near the Decaying Mountains, but right now I want to be anywhere other than in this trolley. I close my eyes, trying not to look where we’re going.

“The mages and shifters aren’t welcome here. You have to let me talk for you when we get to the mine, all right?” the troll says, glaring at my scar, narrowing his shimmering, hazel eyes. When the trolley finally slows down, my stomach settles. I don’t know if the other contestants have already figured out trolls have the crystals. For my sake, I hope Sebastian hasn’t had any luck.

“The Duke of Rivenna’s looking to hire an assistant and I’m hoping to acquire the position. He asked for protective crystals and that’s why I’m here,” I explain, but the troll doesn’t seem to be interested in my story. He yawns and glances around, not even pretending to listen to me. I do have a few Rivenna rekish gold coins in my pocket, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be enough to make a deal with the troll’s boss.

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