WHEN THEY AWOKE, IT was still just as dark as when they had gone to sleep. Merno entered the room and brought them their morning meal—more of the tasty fruit and cheese from the night before. Akshara decided that she would forever love this cheese and would require the occasional journey to Jaka in order to have it.
When they finished eating, Merno announced it was time to head to the mine. He gave Akshara a fur coat he said was made from night stalkers. He offered one to Erevia, but she turned it down, saying it was unnecessary. Merno took them through the city, and out the opposite direction of where they had come in. Finally, he brought them to a spot where there was a large and very dark hole in the ground. A ladder descended downward. When Akshara looked into it, there was just inky
