Crimson Hail and the Secrets of Valour — Chapter 8.b: Beneath the surface

The room hadn’t changed much from when Crimson last saw it. Still dimly lit, cold, and very concrete looking. He locked eyes with a worrying, pacing, Agabus, whose expression instantly changed to delight once he saw the pair.

‘You found him! Oh, thank goodness!’ he walked up to Crimson and gave him a hard pat on the arm. ‘We were worried about you.’

‘He was in the Posca farms just like you said,’ said Marx. Crimson was just about to ask Agabus how he could have known but he was interrupted by his rumbling stomach. The old man grabbed a warm bread roll from one of the beds.

‘I brought this for my lunch, but it seems you need it more.’

‘Oh, thanks.’ Crimson hesitated, then slowly pulled it from the Agabus’ hand. The bread was warm, sweet, and tasted like the best bread he had had in a long time. He didn’t bother to savour the flavour, he masticated and swallowed as if at any moment Agabus would change his mind and demand what was left. He wasn’t aware of how hungry he had been and after it was all gone, he felt like he had room in his stomach for ten more. The sound of footsteps was heard coming from the entrance.

‘I couldn’t find him!’ were the first words she said. ‘I honestly looked and asked around Corbis 52 but–’, she stopped mid-sentence upon seeing the group. Shock and excitement filled her face. ‘Crimson! Oh my gosh, you’re alive! You’re here!’ she followed in the footsteps of…