"I don't know how."
The box was rusted but intact.
Inside were papers.
A journal.
Several letters.
And a small piece of silver ore wrapped in cloth.
Anna picked up the journal.
The handwriting was familiar.
Her father's.
She immediately covered her mouth.
"Elias..."
He stepped closer.
"What is it?"
She opened the first page.
The words were faded.
But readable.
Her father had written about the mountain.
About the silver.
About the discovery.
But the further she read, the more her expression changed.
This was not a journal about wealth.
It was a warning.
"He knew," Anna whispered.
"What?"
"He knew Mercer was after this."
Elias felt his jaw tighten.
"Read it."
Anna turned the pages.
"My father wrote that Mercer approached him three times."
She swallowed.
"He offered money for the land."
"How much?"
"More than the farm was worth."
"Why would he refuse?"
Anna looked at the journal.
"Because he knew what was under it."
She continued reading.
"He said Mercer didn't want the farm. He wanted the mountain."
Elias nodded slowly.
That was exactly what he suspected.
Anna kept reading.
Then she stopped.
A tear fell onto the page.
"What?"
She shook her head.
"My father..."
Her voice broke.
Elias waited.
"He wrote that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to protect me."
She closed her eyes.
"He knew."
Elias placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He loved you."
Anna looked at him.
"He knew I would be alone."
"No."
Elias's voice was firm.
"He knew you were stronger than you believed."
For a moment, neither moved.
Then a sound echoed through the tunnel.
Footsteps.
Both turned.
Elias immediately reached for the lantern and lowered it.
Someone was outside.
Not one person.
Several.
Anna whispered:
"Mercer?"
Elias nodded.
He took the journal.
"Stay behind me."
They moved toward the entrance.
The cold air returned.
Then a voice called from outside.
"Mr. Whittaker."
Elias stopped.
Caleb Mercer stepped into view.
Behind him stood three men.
All armed with tools.
Not weapons.
But enough men to make their intention clear.
Mercer smiled.
"I was hoping you'd find it for me."
Anna stepped forward.
"You knew."
Mercer looked at her.
"Anna."
His tone was almost sympathetic.
"Your father was a stubborn man."
"He trusted you."
Mercer's smile faded.
"Trust is expensive."
Elias stepped beside Anna.
"You threatened him."
"I offered him a business opportunity."
"You tried to steal his land."
Mercer shrugged.
"Words."