Snippet #2769328

"Right," Seru called out to her assembled group, "Ready to leave?"

Without giving them a chance to reply, Seru pushed one of the beetle boats away from the shore and began to row. With a few labored breaths she pushed the boat into a steady rhythm and glanced up at the shore where her brother and the Cobran guards stood, watching their departure. A pang of sadness shot through her heart. She was leaving Cobran - her home, her family - not for forever she knew, but long enough that she could feel homesickness already starting to settle in her stomach. Seru lifted her hand to Tamil and he lifted his back, and for a brief moment they shared the same, gut-wrenching sadness of parting ways.

With one last wistful pause, Seru heaved her strength into rowing until Tamil, Percy, the guards and Cobran were out of sight.

**

The river that flowed into Cobran was wide enough for two beetle boats to sail through, but no larger. It was one of the few entrances and exits of the underground town, protected by it's boiling waters that would burn any wooden vessel or person that attempted to swim through it. Two lanterns hanging on the end of each boat were the only lights that illuminated the darkness. Steam lifted up from the waters around them, creating a humid, sauna-like experience as they traversed through the underground tunnel. Small beads of sweat rolled down Seru's brow as she rowed in the gentle waters, "Remember, don't touch the water. It's boiling."

Her voice felt shockingly loud. It was silent, save for the constant dripping of condensation that fell into the river, and the rocks that enclosed them were so invasive that no echo was allowed to pass inside the tunnel. She looked up at M'Kama for a brief moment as he followed her in rowing the other boat through the river. Eventually the waters curved and a bright light shone through the steamy air at the end of the underground tunnel. The Bright.

Their journey had begun.