The first strike of Arthur’s mallet echoed sharply off the high wooden rafters. Dust bloomed from the impacted mortar, smelling metallic and ancient. On the third heavy strike, a central brick loosened and slid free into Arthur’s gloved hands.
Robert stepped forward, expecting to see the dull crunch of packed earth or rubble behind the wall. Instead, the gap revealed absolute, hollow darkness stretching out into the earth.
A sudden draught rushed through the small opening, striking Robert’s face with ice-cold air heavy with the weight of stagnant moisture and a sharp, mineral scent. Robert clicked his flashlight to full brightness and thrust the lens through the narrow hole. The beam cut through the pitch blackness, revealing a low, hand-carved stone tunnel sloping gently downward into an endless subterranean void.