AN: A very short chapter this time. I'm kind of sorry about that, but I felt this was the best place to break up the story. Hope y'all enjoy!

Chapter 4

Their watches passed without incident. It was a great relief to Shanlai when a torch was lit and she could see again, if not very far. She held it aloft with her rapier in her other hand, and the group continued their explorations.

At first it was more marching over uneven stone and avoiding the odd yellow mold growing in sporadic patches. Then, after a couple hours march, they hit a stroke of luck. A stream wound through a small cave they found. There was no way to follow the stream, but they were able to fill their waterskins and wash their cuts from their fall. They left marks so they could find their way back if need be and marched on.

Their spirits were lifted by the fresh water. Their food would last a good while if rationed. The real trouble was light. They only carried so many torches, and after they ran out, they were in trouble. Even if they didn't run into anything hostile, finding their way out in the dark would be next to impossible. Shanlai was envious of the sorcerers who could wiggle their fingers and make light out of nowhere. I'd give up my left hand for magic like that, she thought.

A few times they flinched at movement, but it was only insects and small critters. At one point they paused to listen when they thought they heard something moving beyond their torchlight, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

The whole time, they steadily moved onward. They covered a good amount of ground, and Yolanda kept expanding their map, but they had no sign they were getting close to their goal.

As their second torch of the day was starting to run out, they came into a large cavern. It was difficult to tell how big it was, but it extended up and away farther than Shanlai or Joren could see.

"Ceiling could be 100 feet or more up," Shanlai whispered. "The far wall could be much farther."

Sonya looked at the sputtering torch. "Ok. We'll venture that after we rest. We don't want to use more than two torches a day if we can help it. Let's go to that alcove about 75 paces back. We'll camp there for the night."

Joren led the way back, Shanlai watching the rear. The alcove was a small area, about twenty feet across, with a gap that led into the tunnel they had been exploring. It was just enough room for the four of them to fit comfortably. They took the same watches as the night before and did their best to be ready for the day tomorrow.

Shanlai woke by habit, the same as the others. Sonya noticed the groans. "All right, let's get ready--"

Her voice stopped abruptly. "Sonya?" Yolanda asked. Shanlai blindly groped for a torch and her flint and steel.

"Did someone take the torch here?" Sonya asked with a too quiet voice.

Shanlai shook her head before realizing the futility of the gesture. "No," three voices said at once.

A hurried search revealed the worst. The tindertwigs, the flint, and the torches--they were all gone.