The corridor opened into a vast chamber. I soon realized I was standing in a mine shaft entrance and the start of rusty iron and wood rails. Six large wooden mine cars, with cast iron wheels, were perched on the tracks.

“Well, that’s not going to do wonders for my stomach.” I blinked at the steep slop the rails trailed down.

A henchman opened the door of the first car. He detached the line from our cuffs and gestured for Troy, myself and Kalia to enter. The space was a tight fit.

“Ugh, watch your hand, boy!” Kalia hissed at Troy when she squeezed in between us.

“Not like I can help it. Space is tight.” Troy sheepishly gave his excuses.

I shook my head and hugged my knees. The car door closed. It jolted into a slow forward movement. Then unexpectedly...

Dropped.

“Cytah!” Troy cursed, but his voice was soon overwhelmed by the high-pitched whistle and wheezing from outside the car.

We were yanked up, down, left, right at death defying speeds. When we went up, my face went tight and my back pressed the wall. As we dropped, I felt my stomach pulled to the ground and everything rush up my throat. All I could hear were whooshes and screeches caused by the speed.

“My stomach... is at my feet!” I struggled to speak through the pressure.

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My eyes bulged when Troy’s cheeks ballooned and his face was going blue. “Don’t yah blood dare puke!”

“I can’t… help… it!” His voice receded midair.

We screamed when our bodies were yanked and jolted to one side.

“Geft oft meh!” Kalia muffled her complaints against my cheek, which was inadvertently pressed to hers because of the pressure.

Our bodies were suddenly raised into the air, then pressed to the floor as we dropped once more. We dipped for a long time. Drool oozed out of my mouth and my temples ached as we sped straight, then upwards and sailed through the air. Unexpectedly, we fell to the rails with a harsh bang and jolt. Lights and shadows danced before my eyes. Dizziness overwhelmed my mind. I fainted and returned to consciousness at the moment the mine car had turned to fall along another dip. It ran up hill, slowed its pace along a straighter path. Eventually, we stopped.

“I feel funny.” Kalia moaned when she wobbled out of the car door when it was opened.

We stumbled about the new mine shaft entrance like ossified people. Fortunately, we were able to regain our balance and senses quickly. The henchmen passed around water to refresh our senses. They positioned us on the path before the start of a rock corridor.

I frowned when I had noticed there were a couple of cars missing. It seemed Kalia and Troy saw this as well. The three of us shared concern glances, but neither of us said anything on the matter. In my heart, I prayed they would arrive later.

We walked the corridor and soon entered a furnished and civilized chamber. Torches in silver sconces made perfect rows on crystal walls, which shimmered white and purple. Red and black imperial banners filled the spaces between torches. Beneath the banners were wooden chairs and stands of red oak. A woolly rug covered the floor in the center.

The men lined us up on the rug and gave us more water to drink. When everyone had their fill, they sat down on the chairs.

A door opened and slammed closed. The henchmen stood at attention when an unmasked soldier stood before us. We were careful not to catch his eye as he paraded our lines, then assumed a commanding position before us again.