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"Well, it depends on how long the soldiers are here," one of the older boys spoke up. "Sometimes they're pretty quick, and sometimes they take a while."

"Though this time it really feels as if they're searching for something in particular," Janos added grimly. "I think they're looking for our visitors."

"Did you overhear anything they said?" Mari asked quietly.

Janos nodded. "Something about someone they caught, and how they had to find whoever he was traveling with. I think the General feels threatened somehow."

Mari glanced at Lin. "If they're referring to Earendil, and he mentioned his title, then probably, yes," she agreed.

"I must say, I'm surprised Kyrie didn't tell you," Mari said, and she sounded both surprised and confused. "Still, there's no going back."

She fell silent for a moment, then sighed and motioned for everyone to follow her again. "Come, we might as well be comfortable while we're down here," she murmured. "This way."

Kasal stayed near Mari's side. Iadrim let go of her brother and ran to take Mari's hand, and then the three brothers followed after them.

"Nana, I'm scared," Andarien admitted quietly to Lin, trying to make it so that only she could hear. He stayed close to her as the rest of them moved to follow.

Still, despite Lin's reassurances, Andarien didn't feel any less afraid.

"Where are we going?" Lancaeriel asked softly as they walked down yet another tunnel. "There's no way to tell direction down here, so I'm afraid I'm quite lost ..."

"Back to where your things are," Mari replied quietly. "These tunnels connect to many places, and there are many exits. Some might consider us paranoid, but I have always felt it best to have a way of escape in case of emergency."

"And it means we can get in easily, too," added one of Iadrim's older brothers, not Janos. "No matter where we are."

Mari smiled in the darkness. "Indeed. A great many things."

"Except only Mari knows where anything is," said the other brother. "She's the only one who can see in the dark to find things, too."

"Yeah, and it's not fair and she kept it a secret for so long, too!" Iadrim's pout was clear in her tone of voice.

"Well, with Kyrie here, hopefully it's not necessary for much longer," Mari murmured wistfully. Suddenly she pointed ahead of them. "There. Your sleeping area. Feel free to do ... well, not quite whatever you wish, but whatever you wish without making too much noise or light."

"Perhaps we could take the opportunity to set up our tents for some privacy for changing our clothes," Lancaeriel suggested with a hint of a smile.

"Maybe we could help," Janos suggested, clearly having warmed up to the strangers since they'd first met him. "We have nothing else to do while we're down here."

They had just finished setting up the first tent when noises started happening above them: first a loud thunk, followed by several crashes and several more thunks.

"Mari," Iadrim whimpered; and the princess took the girl in her arms and held her close.

"It will be over soon," she murmured. "Just ignore it."

Andarien's heart was racing with fear, and despite Mari's words, he couldn't ignore the ruckus above them. He turned his eyes to the ceiling and moved closer to Lin. It sounded like things were being destroyed up there ...

Andarien wanted to let his Pokemon out, but since all three of them emitted light - Eon's rings, Zeus's electricity, and Ponydash's fire - he didn't think it would be a good idea. He also wanted to be held in his mother's arms the way he had been when he'd been a small child, but he knew that was no longer an option.

The noise above them seemed to grow in volume. Suddenly, there was a splintering sound, and a pinprick of light shone down from the trapdoor above them. There was a triumphant shout, and someone began hitting it with force, making the crack bigger.

"Everyone get back," Mari ordered them in a whisper, ushering Iadrim over to one of her brothers. Suddenly Kasal disappeared, leaving them all in darkness, save the light that was coming from above.