Ashes Under Uricon

Set shortly before the Trilogy.

Vincent is blinded in a rock fall. When Catherine's life is threatened, he realizes what his blindness means - he cannot truly protect her any more. The Tunnel community prevents him from going after her anyway, which leaves Catherine on her own. She does escape, but there is a "next time", and no one is going to keep him from going to her, regardless of the consequences for him.