“I feel it too,” Lance said quietly, having overheard Shal. He put his hand on his sword. “I think it is a beast of some kind and it is evil.  Kaira, you must not talk in your mind to anyone until we know what it is.”

Kaira nodded. “Do you think it will be able to hear me?”

“I do not know, but we cannot risk discovery,” Lance told her. “We will take turns keeping watch.’’ The other men nodded in agreement. “You and Shal and Giska should sleep in the entrance of the mine. It is wide and will keep you out of sight, should this creature decide to make an appearance. The unicorns should stay hidden as well—they are not a common sight in this area. I wonder how we will be able to convey this to them?”