16
“She’s dead,” whispered Basil.
Bertha helped him up off the ground. “Are you sure?”
He swiped at his eyes and nose. “There’s no way she can survive without the stone.”
“It might be a trick,” said Cymry. “There is a chance she could still be alive.”
“The only way to find out is if we get in there and knock some heads,” said Bonedread, punching a fist into the palm of his hand.
Bertha stared down at him and raised an eyebrow. “Feeling brave, goblin?”
Bonedread thought a moment, then puffed up his chest. “Yes. I am. Why not?”
Max placed a hand on Basil’s shoulder and squeezed. There was nothing he could say to comfort his friend. He picked up the satchel and threw it over his shoulder. It bounced against his leg. He placed a hand on it to keep it still.
“You might want to take a l
