Chapter 115
The first rays of morning sunlight crept over the mountain, casting a pale golden glow across the rescue camp.
For the first time in days, there was movement beyond the collapsed entrance.
Not panic.
Not despair.
Hope.
Brian Vale and Isaac Indigo emerged from the narrow trail leading around the far side of the mountain.
Behind them came a line of exhausted miners.
Some limped.
Some leaned heavily on soldiers.
Others were carried on makeshift stretchers fashioned from branches and blankets.
The doctors hurried forward.
"Easy now!"
"Watch his leg!"
"Bring water!"
One miner collapsed to his knees the moment he reached solid ground.
He scooped up a handful of dirt and pressed it against his forehead.
"I'm alive..."
Another simply stared up at the sky.
"I never thought I'd see the sun again."
Nearby, one of the rescue soldiers quietly wiped tears from his eyes.
For days, they had fought against stone, darkness, and exhaustion.
Finally...
People were coming home.
Duke Owen hurried toward the group.
His eyes searched every face.
Every single one.
"How many?" he asked.
Brian removed his helmet, sweat streaking the dirt across his face.
"Twenty-three survivors from the forgotten shaft."
Owen released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Any fatalities?"
Brian's expression darkened.
"A few."
Silence settled over the men.
Even one life lost was too many.
Isaac stepped forward.
"The injured need to be moved immediately. They've been without proper treatment for days."
Owen nodded once, "Get them onto the wagons. Move carefully. No sudden jolts."
The soldiers immediately sprang into action.
Doctors checked wounds.
Splints were tightened.
Fresh bandages replaced filthy ones.
One by one, the injured miners were loaded onto waiting wagons.
As the first wagon began descending the mountain, many of the miners looked back toward the mine.
Not with fear.
With grief.
Friends were still inside.
Once the wagons departed, Owen pulled a leather ledger from his satchel.
"Names."
The rescued miners slowly gathered around him.
One after another, they gave their names.
Philip had always insisted on keeping meticulous employment records.
For the first time...
Owen was grateful for every page.
Brian crouched beside him, "I've already started comparing them."
Isaac joined them, another list in his hands, "The names of those already evacuated."
The three men worked in silence.
Finger tracing line after line.
Crossing off names.
Checking again.
Then checking once more.
Around them, the rescue camp continued to buzz with activity, but no one interrupted.
Everyone understood what they were doing.
They weren't counting workers.
They were counting lives.
Several long minutes passed.
Finally...
Owen frowned.
Brian noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
Owen read through the list again.
Then a third time.
Isaac leaned closer, "Did we miss someone?"
Owen slowly looked up.
His expression had turned grave.
"No", His voice was barely above a whisper, "We still missing someone."
Brian felt his stomach tighten.
"Who?"
Owen slowly closed the ledger, "Only one name remains."
Silence fell between them.
Brian already knew the answer before Owen spoke, "Captain Turner."
None of them said another word.
Isaac looked toward the distant mountain.
"He never came through with these men."
One of the rescued miners stepped forward.
His face was pale with exhaustion.
"Captain Turner stayed behind to get the other miners out."
Brian turned immediately.
Isaac cursed quietly beneath his breath.
"He doesn't know..."
Brian finished the sentence.
"...that we've already rescued everyone from the main tunnels."
The realization struck them all at once.
Turner wasn't searching for trapped miners anymore.
He was searching through empty tunnels.
Alone.
Somewhere beneath a mountain that could collapse again at any moment.
Owen straightened immediately, "There isn't a moment to lose."
Brian nodded, "I'll take a rescue team through the forgotten shaft."
Charles Barrett stepped forward without hesitation, "I'm coming with you."
Brian looked at him, "You've barely slept."
Charles gave a tired smile, "Neither have you. We have precious stone mines. So my knowledge of mines will help"
Before Brian could argue, Charles tightened the straps on his gloves.
"Besides..."
He looked toward the mountain.
"Turner would have done the same for any of us."
Brian couldn't argue with that.
He simply nodded.
"Very well."
He turned toward the gathered rescuers.
"I need volunteers."
Nearly every soldier stepped forward.
Brian's chest tightened.
Even exhausted...
None of them hesitated.
He selected a handful of the strongest men before pointing toward the medical tent.
"I also need one physician."
"And one nurse."
An older doctor stepped forward immediately.
"I'll go."
A young nurse followed without hesitation.
"So will I."
Brian bowed his head respectfully.
"Thank you."
Meanwhile, Owen turned toward Alistair.
"Send my updated list to Lady Aurora immediately."
He handed over the ledger.
"Every rescued miner is accounted for."
Alistair accepted it carefully.
"And tell her..." Owen hesitated, "...only Captain Turner remains missing."
Alistair nodded solemnly, "I'll ride there myself."
Isaac adjusted his sword, "I'll escort the remaining wagons to the medical centre."
He glanced toward Owen.
"They'll need order once they arrive."
Owen clasped his shoulder, "Thank you."
Within minutes, the rescue camp split into two groups.
One descended the mountain with the rescued miners.
The other disappeared into the forgotten shaft.
Searching...
For one man who had willingly stayed behind to save others.
As Brian disappeared into the darkness, he made himself one silent promise.
Hold on, Turner.
We're coming.
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