LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 6: Chapter 6
The unease settled over Corvus like the ever-present dust of Whisperwind Quarry. Grok's narrowed eyes, the subtle tightening of his jaw – Corvus replayed the encounter in his mind as he chipped away at the aetherstone. Each strike of his pickaxe was now punctuated by a nagging worry, a constant reminder that his secret was no longer his alone. Elara's warning echoed in his ears: *Be careful.*
He glanced at her. She worked with a quiet diligence, her movements economical, almost graceful despite the backbreaking labor. He'd noticed how she unconsciously favored her left arm, likely an old injury, and wondered about her past, a past she never spoke of. He pushed the thought aside. He had enough to worry about without delving into Elara's secrets. Survival here was a solitary pursuit, wasn't it?
The air itself seemed to hum with a nervous energy today. It wasn't just Grok's scrutiny. There was a different kind of tension, a hushed expectancy that rippled through the ranks of the quarry workers. Even Brim and Krog, usually eager to torment him, seemed subdued, their usual taunts replaced by furtive glances towards the upper levels of the quarry.
"What's going on?" Corvus asked Elara, keeping his voice low.
Elara paused, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. "Morian is expected," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "They say he comes to inspect the yields himself when the quotas aren't met."
Morian. The name hung in the air, heavy with dread. Corvus had heard whispers, fragments of conversations overheard in the mess hall, tales of the Artificer's power and ruthlessness. He was the Quarry Master, the man who held Whisperwind in his iron grip. An Aetherwright of terrifying skill, they said. He could shape aether like clay, crafting weapons of unimaginable power, or so the rumors went.
"What will he do?" Corvus asked, though he already suspected the answer.
Elara's eyes flickered with a mixture of fear and resignation. "Punishments. Fines. Reassignments to even more… undesirable tasks." She didn't elaborate, but Corvus could imagine the possibilities. The mines ran deep, and some tunnels were said to be far more dangerous than others, prone to collapses and inhabited by… things. Things best left undisturbed.
The rhythmic clang of pickaxes faltered as a horn blared from the upper levels. A long, mournful sound that cut through the air like a shard of ice. It was a signal. Morian had arrived.
A wave of silence washed over the quarry. Every worker froze, pickaxes suspended in mid-air. Even the ever-present dust motes seemed to hold their breath. Corvus felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. He tried to appear as insignificant as possible, focusing on the rough texture of the aetherstone beneath his fingers.
He risked a glance upwards. A group of figures descended from the upper levels, their forms partially obscured by the shadows. At the center was a tall, imposing figure clad in dark, flowing robes. Even from this distance, Corvus could sense an aura of power radiating from him, a palpable force that seemed to press down on the entire quarry. This had to be Morian.
Beside Morian walked Carver, the enforcer. Even more terrifying than the Quarry Master. He had heard stories about Carver, brutal efficiency in maintaining order.
Grok hurried forward, his usual swagger replaced by a servile obsequiousness. He bowed deeply before Morian, gesturing towards the rows of workers with a trembling hand. Corvus watched as Morian slowly surveyed the scene, his gaze lingering on each worker in turn. It was a cold, calculating stare that seemed to penetrate the very soul.
Morian stopped before a young ward, no older than fifteen, whose face was smudged with dirt and streaked with tears. The ward trembled, his entire body shaking with fear. Corvus couldn't hear what Morian was saying, but the Artificer's words were clearly having a devastating effect. The ward's face crumpled, and he began to sob uncontrollably.
Morian turned away, dismissing the ward with a flick of his wrist. Grok immediately stepped forward, dragging the sobbing ward away. Corvus watched as they disappeared into the labyrinthine tunnels, wondering what fate awaited the unfortunate youth. He shuddered. He knew he had to be more careful, much more careful.