Chapter 99
Before the rescue teams dispersed for the evening, a large command tent had been erected near the entrance of the collapsed mine.
A rough map of the tunnels lay spreaded on a wooden table.
Oil lamps flickered in the corners, casting long shadows across tired faces.
Around the table sat Duke Owen Ambrose, King Lucian, Brian Vale, Isaac Indigo, Charles Barrett, Anton Alexander, Alistair, Theo, and several senior officers.
No one looked rested.
Their clothes were stained with mud.
Their boots were coated in dust.
Their eyes were bloodshot from four days without proper sleep.
For several moments, the only sound inside the tent was the crackling of the lanterns.
Brian finally broke the silence, "We've completed our investigation."
Every pair of eyes turned toward him.
He placed several pieces of damaged timber onto the table, "It was sabotage."
The words landed heavily, "The support beams were deliberately weakened months before the collapse."
He unfolded several sketches.
"The cuts were precise. Professional. They were hidden beneath soot and reinforcement planks."
Lucian's expression darkened, "And the worker?"
Brian clenched his jaw. "He's gone...We questioned every miner. No one knew his real name. No family. No friends. He worked only at night....He vanished the morning of the collapse."
Charles swore quietly beneath his breath, "A ghost."
Brian nodded, "Exactly."
Silence settled over the tent.
Finally Owen spoke, "Bracken."
No one argued.
No one needed convincing anymore.
Lucian folded his arms, "We still have no proof."
Brian nodded, "Not enough to arrest him. But enough to know who we're hunting."
Another heavy silence followed.
Charles leaned over the map, "I've inspected the mountain."
He pointed toward several markings, "The upper rock face is unstable.If we attempt to dig from above..."
He looked around the table. "...the entire mountain could collapse again."
Isaac rubbed his tired face, "So the only option is the main entrance."
Charles nodded, "We clear the debris. We reinforce every section. We advance slowly."
Theo frowned, "How long?"
Charles didn't answer immediately.
When he finally spoke...His voice was quiet, "If we're careful......weeks...If we're unlucky......months."
The tent fell completely silent.
Anton slammed his fist against the table, "They don't have months!...They're already running out of air !"
Charles looked just as frustrated, "I know! But rushing will kill the rescuers too."
Lucian closed his eyes briefly, "There has to be another way."
Everyone looked toward Owen.
The Duke had remained unusually quiet.
He studied the map before speaking, "There is."
Every head lifted.
"It won't make the digging easier......but it will make the men stronger."
Lucian looked at him, "Go on."
Owen pointed toward the rescue schedule.
"Our biggest problem isn't manpower. It's exhaustion."
He looked around the table.
"The soldiers are digging until they collapse. The miners we've rescued are trying to help. The knights are refusing to rest."
He shook his head, "We're making mistakes."
Alistair nodded slowly.
"Yesterday one of the men nearly dropped a support beam."
Owen continued, "We divide everyone into three rotating teams. Eight hours digging. Eight hours resting. Eight hours preparing supplies. The work never stops......but the men remain strong."
Charles considered the idea, "Fresh men dig faster."
Isaac nodded, "They'll make fewer mistakes and we have backups, if one falls, next one goes in."
Anton added, "And they'll be alert enough to notice unstable rock before it falls."
Lucian slowly smiled, "It also means the injured who recover can join the rotation instead of working themselves to exhaustion."
Owen nodded, "Exactly."
Lucian looked around the tent, "This is the best plan we've had all week."
He turned toward Theo.
"Theo."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Please ask Lady Aurora to join us."
Theo disappeared immediately.
Several minutes later...
The tent flap opened once more.
Aurora stepped inside.
She looked pale.
Her braid had partly come undone.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes.
There were faint bloodstains on her sleeves despite changing clothes several times.
Owen's heart tightened.
His little girl looked exhausted.
She still bowed respectfully, "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"
Lucian noticed it immediately.
Your Majesty.
Not Lucian.
He had hoped she might continue using his name.
Instead...
The distance between them had quietly returned.
He pushed the thought aside.
"There are more important matters."
Brian spoke first, "Lady Aurora...How many injured miners can safely be transported to the duchy's medical center?"
Aurora barely glanced at her notes.
She already knew every patient by heart, "Fifty-six are stable enough to travel."
She hesitated, "But thirty remain in critical condition......They cannot survive the journey yet."
Brian nodded thoughtfully.
Lucian looked toward Owen.
The Duke answered first, "We move the fifty-six immediately."
Aurora looked up, "So soon?"
Owen nodded, "The mountain is no place for recovering patients."
Lucian added, "The palace physicians have already arrived. They'll remain here...The critically injured will continue receiving treatment until they're strong enough to travel."
Aurora looked uncertain. "But..."
She glanced toward the medical tents, "There are still people arriving every hour. I should stay."
"No.", Both Owen and Lucian spoke at the same time.
The room fell strangely quiet.
Father and king exchanged a brief glance.
Owen smiled faintly. "You first, Your Majesty."
Lucian turned back to Aurora, "You haven't slept properly in four days... You've barely eaten. If you collapse..."
He paused.
"...who will care for everyone else?", Aurora lowered her eyes. "I can still work."
Owen gently interrupted. "My little star."
She looked at him, "I need you to prepare the duchy's medical center....... More beds. More supplies.More nurses....... The moment these men arrive.... They'll need you."
Aurora hesitated. She wanted to refuse. Every instinct told her to remain near the mine.
Near Turner.
But...
Her father was right.
The injured deserved proper care.
After several long moments...
She nodded "...Very well."
Lucian let out a quiet breath.
"We'll arrange an escort immediately. I'll return to the capital as well."
Everyone looked at him.
"The kingdom cannot remain without its king any longer. But before I leave..."
He looked around the tent.
"I expect daily reports. Every rescue. Every survivor. Every discovery."
Brian placed a fist over his chest "You have my word."
Isaac nodded. "So do I."
Charles smiled faintly. "We're not leaving until every last miner is home."
Anton added quietly, "Neither are we."
One by one...
Every man around the table pledged the same thing.
No one would abandon Emberforge.
No one would abandon the trapped miners.
As the meeting ended and everyone filed out of the tent, Lucian's voice stopped Aurora.
"Lady Aurora..."
She turned.
"If you would remain for a moment."
The others quietly stepped outside, leaving the two of them alone.
Lucian looked at her for a long moment. "You've been carrying this tragedy on your shoulders since the first day."
She gave a tired smile. "I'm a physician. I don't have the luxury of falling apart."
He stepped closer. "No...You've convinced yourself you don't."
His voice softened.
"When you reach the duchy...I want you to sleep."
Aurora gave a weak laugh. "I don't think I'll be able to."
"I know ", He smiled sadly. "Neither will I."
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
"I'll help bring them home," he said quietly "All of them."
Aurora searched his face.
For once...She saw no king standing before her.
Only a man carrying the weight of an entire kingdom.
She gave a small nod, "...Thank you."
This time...
She didn't call him "Your Majesty."
Just those two simple words.
And for Lucian...
They were enough to give him hope.
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