That was certainly better than waiting around any longer and arguing.
"Where is this cave where we can protect the egg? Does it have a back exit?"
"This way." Marcus led them along narrow paths past earth houses and trees. No one was outside anymore. Were they all hiding in their houses?
They reached the western edge of the valley, where a small entrance was visible under the protection of a high rock. They immediately ran inside. The cave wasas spacious as the fire dragons' one in the old forest, but the entrance was too narrow for a full-grown dragon.
It was only after they had entered the rock cave and caught their breath that Ava noticed the city remained absolutely silent. "Are the inhabitants really all in their houses, or is there an emergency exit that was used to evacuate them?"
"Of course there's an emergency exit, but only members of our Council of Elders know about it." He avoided her gaze, as if he was afraid she might ask for its exact location.
"And what about us? If the sorceress's followers storm the city, we'll be trapped. We need to go to this emergency exit too."
Lilly's eyes widened as she nodded. "Otherwise they'll kill us and snatch the egg."
Marcus raised his hands reassuringly. "Don't worry, that won't happen. They won't even make it into the city."
A loud bang echoed and the next moment countless hooded figures poured into the valley. Although they couldn't see any of them, they could tell from the deafening roar that their numbers were overwhelming.
Chapter 20
Lilly's eyes widened. "What do we do now?"
Ava pulled her close and peered into the valley. Nothing was visible. Nature, along with its embedded structures, presented itself as an untouched idyll. "We'll look for another exit from the cave." She was about to start running, but Marcus held her back by the arm.
"There isn't one, believe me. You need to hide. I'll distract them so they don't find you." He pulled the bow from his shoulder and reached for an arrow. He handled it no less clumsily than Ava would have.
"I'm not going to stand in the corner and do nothing. Come on, Lilly."
The girl followed close behind her while Marcus hesitantly walked along before stopping and furrowing his brow. "I'll fend off anyone who comes in! You can count on me."
She counted on his loyalty, but not on his accuracy.
"If we find an exit, you won't have to." Ava took the egg out of her bag to light their way. The back of the cave waspitch black. Without a light, the search for an emergency exit would have taken too long. She rushed to the back with Lilly, but there was nothing there except impenetrable stone walls. They searched every conceivable corner, rolled aside every loose stone, but found no passage anywhere.
Screams rang out, and the loud crash of a boulder mixed in. Shortly after, the earth trembled. Marcus turned pale, but kept the drawn bow aimed at the cave entrance, ready to fend off anyone who might try to get too close to them.
Meanwhile, Lilly and Ava didn't give up. They quickly felt along all the walls without finding anything. Marcus was right. There was no second exit.
They were trapped.
"We have to get out of here!" Ava wanted to run back into the valley when low voices echoed from the entrance. She exchanged an alarmed look with Lilly and put a finger to her lips. Silently, she pulled the girl with her into the shadows of the cave. To the side was a small group of rocks they could hide behind. At first glance, they wouldn't be seen there. It was their best chance.
Marcus wanted to stand ready to shoot in front of the entrance, but Ava waved him over.
"Come here, or they'll know right away that we're here." Although she only whispered, the echo of her voice reverberated off the cave walls.
He hesitated, biting his lip, but her reasoning seemed to sink in. He hurried over to them and hid behind the rock masses, whereupon Ava slipped the egg into her bag and the cave plunged into absolute darkness. At that very moment, two beams of light made their way inside and two men entered the rock cave.Their footsteps echoed throughout the space. Ava had never heard a more threatening sound.
Lilly trembled. Ava pulled her close as they listened tensely.
"They must be here somewhere," said one. His voice sounded unfamiliar.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, this is the old dragon cave."
How did he know about that?
