'We can't stop or they will bump into us,' Bradan said. 'Let's hope we reach somewhere soon.'
'In here!' Melcorka hissed.
The passageway was so narrow that Bradan had not seen it as it shafted off at right angles to the staircase, to burrow deep into the living rock. He followed Melcorka, ducking his head away from the low ceiling.
'That will do,' Melcorka said, when they were about ten paces in. 'Now, let me squeeze past you so I am nearest the stairs.'
A group of the small selkies walked past first, and then the head of the long column of prisoners. They walked without expression on their faces, heads down and shoulders hunched as they dragged their feet from step to step.
'Dear God,' Melcorka breathed. 'I know these people. I know all these people.'
'They are all from Ulvust, Tuat
