The building shook around us. My patrons sat up nervously, some covering their food as dust and debris fell from the rafters. Their eyes darted around nervously. A few quickly got to their feet. We'd had a few tremors before, but this was too strong to ignore.

"Uh. Sorry, friends. We might need to close up early. Come back, mention you were here tonight, and I'll make sure you all get a fresh free meal," I raised my voice and offered a smile.

An older couple got up and nodded at me. He picked a few chicken wings off his plate, and ate one as he headed toward the door. His wife followed him, but quickly turned back, picked up her drink, and drank the rest in a couple of gulps. Priorities, right?

I'd invested everything into The Shadow's Respite, and a sobering thought hit me—did insurance even exist in this world? I hadn't thought to ask about protecting my investment against disasters.

The four of us slid out of the booth. Seraphina kissed me quickly and said, "I'll be right back. Try to stay close to my father. He'll ensure you aren't buried if this whole thing comes down."

I gulped. "Wait. What?"

Seraphina offered a quick smile, but leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Talk later. Again, I'm sorry about them showing up so unexpectedly."

I leaned in and kissed Seraphina's cheek.

"Mother, come with me. The gem shop will be safer," Seraphina said, taking Delphine's hand.

"I should stay here in case anyone gets injured," Delphine said.

Elixander pulled his wife into a quick embrace, and told her, "At least wait outside, my love. I'll be out as soon as I can."

Delphine nodded, and the two women made their way to the door.

Lady Churl emerged from the kitchen, her murder-chef knife in hand. Her eyes darted around the room before settling on the ceiling. More dust and debris fell around us. If the tavern survived, it was going to need to be deep cleaned. Again. Another tremor shook the building.

"That what I think it is?" Lady Churl pointed up.

I followed her gaze and found the cat walking across a rafter like he was out for a Sunday stroll. "Cat. Get down from there."

The cat made a point of ignoring me. He jumped a half-dozen feet to another beam of wood, gracefully landed on it, sat down, and cleaned one of his paws.

"Give it up, boss. Morth ain't gonna listen to no one." She sheathed her knife and snapped her green fingers at the cat, but he also ignored her. "Reckon s'been hard to get any proper sleep with all the rumblin' and shakin'."

"You've heard these disturbances before?" Elixander asked, his brow furrowing.

"Most of it comes from downstairs," Lady Churl said, gesturing toward the back where the trap door lay. A toothy grin spread across her face. "Come on, tall elf. I'll show ya where I sleep and where's tha best ta hear them noises what's from below."

The remaining customers filed out quickly. I rushed to the door, calling after them, "I'm so sorry about this. As soon as it's safe, I'll spread the word. Come back for your replacement meal and a drink on the house!"

Several turned and waved, even as they hurried away.

I shouldn't have been surprised that Doan appeared around a corner, and quickly strode toward me. He was dressed in his dark leather blacksmith clothing and wore a thick, worn leather apron that was covered in cuts and burns. He hefted a huge hammer in one hand and had a grin for me.

"Doan!" I waved.

He strode toward me, returning the wave. "Varix, my friend. It sounded like the tavern was about to be shaken to pieces. Is that related to the activities underground?"

"The shaking has been happening for a couple of days. This was one of the strongest yet. We're going to go down and take a look under the tavern."

"We?" Doan asked. "Want some company?"

"You and your hammer are most welcome," I said, and led the way inside.

Elixander stood near the trap door in the back. Lady Churl was on the ladder, motioning for him to follow.

Doan stopped in the center of the room, eyes wide, mouth agape. "Is that…"

Elixander turned and nodded at Doan. "Greetings."

"I remember you,” Doan said, gripped his hammer, and stepped toward Elixander.

The elf didn’t so much as budge.

Doan stopped a few feet away, lowered his head, and dropped to one knee. “Elixander Lioshan Brightstar, Archmage of the Dawn. I am humbled to be in your presence.”

“This is Doan.” I pointed at my friend. Damn. Elixander had a hell of a reputation.

“I was there at the Sundering of the Shadowvale. Many of us would have perished if not for you. Your powers turned the tide. I am honored.”

“Arise, friend Doan. I am a simple elf who is no longer attached to any armies, nor involved in any wars. I am a civilian, just like you. I would guess that you are a blacksmith. One of the finest professions one can attain. I am also honored to meet you.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A few hours ago, I’d wanted to hate him. Now, I wanted to polish his shoes.

Doan rose, but kept his eyes lowered, and studied Elixander from beneath his thick curly hair. When I had met Doan, he’d worn his hair close-cropped. Being back in Everspring had agreed with the blacksmith.

“We’re going to investigate the shaking. Elixander thinks there may be those in danger beneath us.”

“How can I help?” Doan asked without hesitation. "Mira and Alic haven't returned to town. Caden was out and about asking after them a few minutes ago."

"Oh no," I said and frowned. "I hope they weren't down there when the ground shook."

"I shall do my best to ascertain their presence," Elixander said, then inclined his head toward Doan’s hammer. “That may come in quite handy, friend blacksmith.”

“You comin’ down ‘ere or what?” Lady Churl’s head popped up again. She spotted Doan and frowned.

"Oh, hi, Lady Churl," Doan greeted her.

"Reckon it's ta be a party down here."

I went first because I’d been here before. And it was my tavern even if Lady Churl had taken ownership of the cellar.

I descended the ladder first, with Elixander and Doan following close behind. As we hit the ground, Lady Churl lit a few large candles, shedding light on the room. Elixander's blue aura enveloped us, casting an ethereal glow. I guessed he was shielding us, but I had to wonder if it was strong enough to keep us from being crushed if the floor above came crashing in.

The elf's eyes studied Lady Churl's bedroom, taking in the elegant four-poster bed with its colorful bedspread. "This is quite a cozy room," he remarked.

Lady Churl nodded. "Yer welcome to visit any time," she said with a grin.

Elixander coughed to cover a laugh.

I shot Lady Churl a look, embarrassed by her forwardness, but didn't say anything.

The elf stopped in the center of the room, closed his eyes, and muttered words I couldn't make out. His blue aura expanded until it encompassed the entire space.

Lady Churl backed away from it, pressing herself into a corner. "What's the elf doin'?" she asked, her eyes wide.

Elixander turned and walked out of Lady Churl's bedroom. He approached a brick wall near the ladder and touched it, then stepped back.

"What?" I asked, confused.

Suddenly, I felt something. Cold tendrils of dread crept into me, making my skin crawl. I shook it off, trying to focus on the task at hand.

The elf patted the wall. "There is something here. Something long forgotten. We must break through."

Doan shook his head. "I can't do it with this." He lifted the hammer. "It's a fine one, but not enough to break this wall."

Elixander held out his hand. "May I?"

Doan handed it over without hesitation.

The elf muttered over the hammer, then blew a light breath on the head. "Try now," he said, handing it back to Doan.

Doan's eyes widened as he reverently took the hammer. "What did you do to it?"

"It is temporarily imbued with the power of the earth itself. Now strike, friend blacksmith. One blow in the center should be sufficient."

"Right then. Stand back," Doan warned.

"Wait. Don't damage my tavern," I protested. "If this wall comes down, will it cave in the floor?'

"Your tavern will be fine. The walls and the foundation will be unaffected. I promise you this," Elixander reassured me.

I swallowed hard. "I don't know," I said, still feeling uncertain.

Doan placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, friend Varix," he said reassuringly. "I'm a profit sharing co-owner. Any damage will be on me as well."

"And on all of us." I pointed up. "If that comes crashing down."

Doan grinned broadly, as if that had been a challenge. He reared back and smashed the hammer into the center of the wall, the enhanced tool striking with incredible force.

The hammer's impact shattered the wall, sending chunks of stone tumbling into the hidden passageway. A foul stench, thick with the moldy odor of ancient confinement, wafted out. It stung my nose, making me gag.

Lady Churl appeared next to us. She had a small lantern in one hand, and a thin stick which she lit from one of her candles to ignite the lantern's wick. She shook out the improvised match, dropped it on the floor, and ground it against the cold stone with her heel.

“Reckon this is gonna be a sight.” She looked up at me. With the lantern lit, she poked her head into the hole in the wall.

“Caution, friend Churl.” Elixander put a hand on her shoulder.

She shrugged away from him and stepped through the hole on wiry legs. “Reminds me of home.”

"Wait, Lady Churl," I called to her, but she was already heading into the murk.

I poked my head in after her and squinted into the darkness illuminated only by flickering lantern light. A primitive hallway stretched ahead, lined with moss-covered stones. The air was thick and muggy. It clung to my skin, making me want to turn around and hurry back up the ladder.

The corridor was no wider than six feet, and the roof hung low above. We'd have to stoop to walk through it, and I was inclined to stay put.

"This is most curious," Elixander said.

"I should get my gear. Armor, sword, a shield," Doan said.

"Stay your hand, friend. I will bring us to the end of this passageway so we can ascertain the scope of this place. It is possible the hallway ends and is impassable. I shall shield us from harm."

"I'm not much of an adventurer," I said lamely.

"If you wish to remain here, that is your decision."

I shook my head. "No. I'll join you. Now I'm curious what is under my tavern."

"Ya oughta be. Ya need ta sees this!" Lady Churl shouted.

Elixander waved his hand toward the passageway's roof, and a light took hold. He stuck his head in, sniffed, and then made his way into the improvised portal. Doan nodded after the elf, so I went in next, but not before I glanced toward the trap door above. Elixander had asked Seraphina to retrieve her staff, and she hadn't returned yet.

I stepped into the low hallway behind Elixander, ducking my head to avoid scraping it against the ceiling. The air was thick and musty, and the weight of the earth pressed in from all sides. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Doan brought up the rear, grunting as he had to stoop even lower than Elixander and me.

"Lady Churl, are you okay in there?" I called out, my voice echoing in the narrow space.

"I'm good, boss!" she yelled back, her voice sounding distant. "Just keep followin' the path! Ya gots ta see this."

I took a few more steps forward, trying to keep my breathing steady. Suddenly, my foot crunched on something, and I froze. Looking down, I saw what appeared to be small bones scattered across the floor. "That's not good," I muttered, a chill running down my spine.

Doan peered over my shoulder, squinting at the bones. "Nothing to worry about," he said, his voice reassuring. "Those are from small animals, not humans."

"Wonder if my cat's been here."

"Could be," Doan replied.

I nodded, feeling slightly relieved. We continued, the passageway sloping downward at a gentle angle. It curved once, then again, leading us deeper into the unknown.