Chapter 113
The first light of dawn slowly crept across the mountains.
The fires that had burned throughout the night had burned low, leaving only glowing embers scattered around the rescue camp.
The air was cold.
Heavy.
Silent.
For six long days, the mountain had become a place where hope and heartbreak lived side by side.
Rescuers continued clearing rubble with tired arms.
Every swing of a pickaxe felt heavier than the last.
Every shovel of dirt stole a little more strength from already exhausted men.
Yet no one complained.
Not one.
Because somewhere beneath the mountain...
People were still waiting.
Duke Owen Ambrose stood near the entrance of the mine, his eyes fixed upon the rescue efforts.
His face was covered in dust.
His hands were blistered.
He hadn't slept for more than a few moments at a time since the collapse.
Brian Vale walked over carrying another damaged support beam.
"It's holding," he reported quietly "For now."
Owen nodded.
"Keep replacing them. We can't afford another collapse."
Brian looked toward the rescue teams.
"The men are exhausted. So are you."
Owen gave a tired smile, "I'll rest when my people are home."
Brian sighed softly.
He had expected that answer.
Nearby, Charles Barrett directed another group of soldiers.
"Careful with that beam! If it shifts, the whole section comes down!"
Isaac Indigo handed water to several miners before joining another digging crew without a word.
Anton Alexander studied a rough map of the tunnels spread across a crate, trying to estimate where the remaining survivors might still be trapped.
Despite their exhaustion...
No one stopped.
Then—
A shout echoed across the mountain.
"Movement!"
Every head turned.
A young soldier standing watch pointed toward the opposite side of the mountain.
"There!"
Dozens of eyes followed his trembling finger.
At first...
No one could see anything.
Only rocks.
Mist.
And broken cliffs.
Then...
Two tiny figures slowly appeared.
They staggered unsteadily down the steep mountainside.
One seemed to be supporting the other.
For several long seconds...
Nobody spoke.
Then another soldier gasped.
"They're people!"
"They're alive!"
A third soldier suddenly shouted,
"They're miners!"
Everything exploded into motion.
"Medic!"
"Bring stretchers!"
"Water!"
"Move!"
Owen was already running.
Brian, Charles, Isaac, Anton and dozens of soldiers followed close behind.
The two figures finally reached level ground before collapsing onto their knees.
Both men were covered in dirt.
Their clothes were torn.
Their faces were hollow from exhaustion.
One of them was an elderly miner.
The younger man struggled to keep him upright.
Doctors immediately rushed forward.
"Easy."
"Sit down."
"Water."
The old miner's trembling hands wrapped around the cup as though it were the greatest treasure in the world.
He drank greedily before breaking into tears, "We... we made it..."
Owen knelt beside him.
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
"You did well. Take your time."
The old miner grabbed Owen's sleeve with surprising strength.
"My Lord..."
Owen leaned closer, "I'm here."
The miner's lips trembled, "The Captain..."
Everything around them suddenly became quiet.
Brian stepped forward, "What about Captain Turner?"
The old miner swallowed painfully, "He found... an old shaft."
Brian frowned, "What old shaft?"
"The abandoned escape tunnel...The one blocked years ago."
Brian's eyes widened.
The forgotten shaft. He had seen it on ancient mining maps.
No one had used it in decades.
The old miner continued between exhausted breaths, "He... he broke through...........There were trapped miners on the other side."
Hope spread through the men around them.
"They're alive?"
The younger miner nodded immediately, "They're alive. They waiting on the other side of the mountain."
Several soldiers let out cries of relief.
Some removed their helmets and quietly thanked God.
Then the old miner spoke again, "Captain Turner......went back."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Owen stared at him, "Went back?"
The miner nodded weakly, "He sent us for help....He said..."
The old miner smiled through his tears, "The Duke needs to know where we are."
Owen slowly looked toward Brian.
Neither man needed to say the words.
They both understood.
Turner had no idea.
He still believed dozens of miners remained trapped inside the collapsed tunnels...
Unaware that those miners had already been rescued from the main shaft.
Which meant...He had willingly walked back into danger.
Again.
Brian's expression hardened instantly.
He stood.
His commander instincts taking over.
"Isaac."
Isaac stepped forward immediately.
"I'm with you."
"Charles."
"Have ropes, lanterns and digging tools prepared."
Charles nodded sharply.
"Already moving."
"Anton."
"I need twenty experienced soldiers."
Anton didn't hesitate.
"You'll have thirty."
Brian looked toward the physicians.
"I need two doctors."
"I'll go," one physician said immediately.
"So will I," another answered.
Brian gave a single nod.
"Good."
He turned toward Owen.
"We're going after them."
Owen's jaw tightened, "I'll come."
Brian met his eyes, "No."
Owen frowned, "They're your people. And you're needed here."
Brian spoke respectfully but firmly.
"If more survivors come out of the main shaft, they'll need you."
For a moment...
Owen wanted to argue.
Every instinct screamed at him to go after Turner himself.
But Brian was right.
He closed his eyes briefly before nodding.
"Bring them home."
Brian's expression softened, "I intend to."
Within minutes the rescue party was assembled.
Ropes.
Lanterns.
Medical supplies.
Stretchers.
Every man understood the risk.
No one stepped back.
As Brian drew his sword and pointed toward the eastern ridge, his voice carried across the mountain.
"We move now."
"For Captain Turner."
"For every miner still waiting."
The soldiers answered with one united shout.
Then they disappeared toward the forgotten shaft...
Unaware that another desperate rescue was only just beginning.
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