The passage beyond the repaired bay descended farther than Iven expected.
It had been built for people carrying tools, not for an army. The steps were shallow, the corners broad enough for a long bearing face, and the wall held empty hook marks at regular intervals. Some newer lamps hung from those marks. Others had been moved where later pipes crossed the older path.
On day1617, Iven, Neri, Hend, Elian, Corven, and the deeper bay’s keeper went down together.
The keeper carried the current isolation keys. Her name was Dessa Nall, a keeper who had worked these Rootwell bays for years. She told them which rooms were hot, which had active movement behind their guards, and which doors led nowhere useful because older floors had fallen.
“Do not follow an old arrow over a current barrier,” she said.
Elian touched his notebook.
“I can manage that distinction.”
“I’ve had readers before.”
