Book Five: Chapter 165

“Because the old one was discovered by smugglers, you know this,” her mother responded. She carved a chunk of granite away with her talons, then crushed it beneath her feet. Abella knelt down to pick up the rubble, then handed the basket to another child, who carried it up the tunnel.

“I still think we should have just chased them off.” Abella examined one of the stones that had broken off. It was some kind of gemstone, and she imagined it would sparkle if she could carry it back up to the surface. What little light there was down here didn’t do it any justice.

“That is not our way.” She could hear the smile in her mother’s voice, but decided to say it anyway.

“Instead of chasing them off, maybe we could make friends with them?” It was an old argument, but one she was willing to make every day. She loved watching them, seeing their clothing swish behind them as they walked, hearing their hair rustle in a stiff breeze. What would life be like