Freshly hewn wood

Most people not used to mines might have missed the clue. Ciara might have missed it if not for the fact that she was expecting something unusual to present itself.

At first glance, the tunnel she was exploring seemed perfectly normal. The only real oddity was the distance from one side tunnel to the next. In this tunnel, the distance between the last side tunnel and the next up ahead seemed much greater than the regular spacing she had found in the other tunnels.

She stopped about where she thought a side tunnel should have opened up and examined the wall closer.

Normally an opening which is covered by timbers and dirt might not be so unusual in a mine. However, it is was also true that miners tended to use treated wood for support to reduce the chance that the wood would give way and allow a cave in.

The timbers covering this opening seemed cut from living trees not more than a few months ago. Maybe less. Maybe more. But the important fact was this wood was untreated.

Someone went to a lot of trouble to hide the entrance to this tunnel. And either that person or persons was not a miner or they did not have the materials or time to do the job in a proper way.

However, the other details in the camouflage job were beyond reproach.

So she expected that she was dealing with people who were very skilled in hiding their tracks but who were not professional miners. Though not limited to these, her first thought was thieves, smugglers or mages.

She didn't think trolls or their ilk would put this much effort into camouflage. So there apparently were other denizens here in the wilderness that deserved her utmost care not to underestimate.

Thinking back to the princess's behavior, Ciara began to wonder if the stories of the trolls were entirely accurate.

At least two possibilities presented to her mind. One, there were no trolls, but instead a carefully concocted scheme for nefarious reasons. Two, there were trolls, but they were under the control of someone much smarter or devious.

Ciara smiled. Either option might turn to her favor. If she was very careful she could get in on this scheme and get a payment from both sides of the fence. "Rid" the area of trolls (who may not exist). And/or gain a **** against whoever might be behind this scheme.

Right now she had a choice.
Leave the camouflaged opening alone and set herself up in a hidden place to watch who comes and goes…
Break in and see what was on the other side…
Return to the castle and play with Avelina…
Return to the town and spend the afternoon listening to the gossip and trying to pick up any hints as to what she had stumbled on…
Or return to the castle and see who else she could find to play with…