The trapdoor closed quietly above them.
Darkness filled the tunnel for a brief moment before Rowan lifted the lantern higher.
A warm yellow light spread across the narrow stone passage.
The air underground was cool and damp, and the faint sound of running water echoed somewhere in the distance.
Kael stepped carefully down the rough stone steps.
"This place is old," he said.
Rowan nodded.
"Very old."
Mira looked around, her eyes scanning the walls.
"Who built it?"
Rowan began walking deeper into the tunnel.
"Smugglers, most likely," he said. "Raven's Crossing sits on an important trade route. Tunnels like this helped people move goods quietly under the river."
Kael followed closely behind him.
The stone floor was uneven, and the tunnel ceiling was low enough that Rowan had to bend slightly while walking.
After several minutes, Kael spoke again.
"You said you knew my father."
Rowan didn't stop walking.
"Yes."
"What was he like?" Kael asked.
Rowan was silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
"He was stubborn."
Mira laughed quietly.
"That sounds familiar."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"But he was also brave."
The lantern light flickered as they moved deeper underground.
"Your father believed the world could change," Rowan continued.
"Even when the Highlands began rewriting the truth."
Kael clenched his fists slightly.
"My father said the Highlands were lying to everyone."
Rowan nodded.
"He was right."
They reached a part of the tunnel where the sound of rushing water grew louder.
The passage curved slightly, and soon a small underground river appeared beside them.
The water flowed swiftly through a carved stone channel.
"This river leads outside the town," Rowan explained.
"No soldiers. No patrols."
Mira leaned against the stone wall for a moment.
"You seem very prepared for someone who claims not to be part of the Hundred."
Rowan chuckled softly.
"I told you earlier. I worked with them."
"That's not the same thing," Mira replied.
Rowan stopped walking.
For the first time since entering the tunnel, he turned to face them fully.
The lantern light illuminated his calm expression.
"You're right," he said.
"It's not the same thing."
Kael waited for him to continue.
Rowan looked at the pendant around Kael's neck.
"Your father was one of the strongest fire magicians of his time."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"He never told me that."
"Of course he didn't," Rowan replied. "He wanted you to live a normal life."
Kael looked down at his hands.
The same fire magic now lived inside him.
Rowan's voice softened slightly.
"But the moment the Highlands discovered who he was…"
"…that life was over."
Silence filled the tunnel again.
After a moment, Mira pushed herself away from the wall.
"So what now?" she asked.
Rowan continued walking along the river path.
"Now we leave this tunnel and follow the northern road."
"To the mountains," Kael said.
Rowan nodded.
"Yes."
"The hidden city lies somewhere beyond them."
They walked for several more minutes until the tunnel began sloping upward.
A faint glow appeared ahead.
Moonlight.
Rowan climbed the final steps and pushed open another wooden hatch.
Cool night air rushed inside.
They stepped out into a quiet patch of forest near the riverbank.
The stars shone brightly in the sky above.
Kael took a deep breath.
Fresh air had never felt so good.
Behind them, Rowan carefully closed the hatch and covered it with leaves and branches.
"No one will find it easily," he said.
Mira looked around the forest.
"Which way now?"
Rowan pointed toward a narrow trail leading through the trees.
"That path leads north."
Kael followed his gaze.
Far in the distance, dark mountain peaks rose against the night sky.
The hidden city of magicians was somewhere beyond them.
But reaching it would not be easy.
Kael tightened his grip on the silver pendant around his neck.
The journey was only beginning.
Rowan lifted the lantern again and started down the forest path.
"Stay close," he said quietly.
"From this point forward…"
"…the real dangers begin."