The stone floor gave way with a deep crack.
John immediately stepped back.
A section of the ground collapsed, sending chunks of rock into the darkness below. The sound of falling stone continued for several seconds before finally disappearing.
Darius moved closer to the edge and looked down.
"That's deeper than I expected."
Aerion raised his lamp.
The light barely reached the bottom.
"We're going down there?"
John looked at him.
"Eventually."
"Eventually?"
John crouched beside the opening and examined the broken stone.
"This wasn't a natural collapse."
Lythriel frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"The stone underneath was hollow."
John touched the edge of the opening.
"Someone built something beneath this mine."
Darius exchanged a glance with Aerion.
"So we're back to ancient ruins."
John shook his head.
"No."
He paused.
"At least, I don't think so."
The distinction mattered.
