The darkness of the stairwell enveloped them as they descended, the faint echo of their footsteps against the stone walls filling the quiet. She glanced at the dragon beside her when she felt his hand grab hers, his face filled with concentration as he walked down the stairs. Silas walked ahead of them, their assigned guide for this trip.
The air grew cooler and more musty as they continued down, the dim light from Silas's lantern barely piercing the gloom.
Finally, they reached the base of the stairwell, the heavy scent of iron and damp earth filled their nostrils. Yara's nose wrinkled involuntarily, and she coughed, trying to stifle the burning sensation in her throat. The dragon moved closer to her side, hand tightening around hers. His breathing was slow, and controlled.
