“Look at this!” he finally cried, pointing to a faint door-shaped line in the stones on the north wall. “A secret door! This must be the entrance!”

“There’s the catch.” Tasslehoff, turning from the chain, pointed to a chipped piece of stone at the bottom. “That’s a rather strange secret door,” he said, grinning. “This is a false door that looks false.”

Veldahar held back, looking around the room with a slight frown, shaking his head. “The chain isn’t the problem here…” He said, looking to where the others were looking at the secret door. “Something else bothers me though.”

Lei looked at the chain for a minute more before turning to look at the door confused. “Thats pretty weird…” He muttered before turning and looking at Veldahar “Whats the matter?”

Jing watched Gilthanas for a moment then the door, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. This whole place still gave her the creeps and she wanted to get out of here.

Lyuthi couldn’t help but let out a small whine as she grabbed Veldahar’s arm. “What is it?” Now she was getting scared.

“Well, let’s see where it leads.” Silver said, crouching to accion the mechanism.

“Don’t open it!” Veldahar said suddenly.

“Why not?” asked Bast. “Because you want to alert someone before we find the way into Pax Thorken?”

“Don’t speak nonsense, we’re all in as much danger as you and your group!” Veldahar hissed, staring at the secret door. “I sense a power behind that door greater than any I have felt since-” He stopped, shuddering. “I warn you, do not open that door!”

Jing looked at Veldahar before walking over beside Silver, not touching the door. “What is it you feel?” She asked, the tone of the draik’s voice making her nervous.

Lyuthi trembled and gripped his arm. “Veldahar y-you’re scaring me..” She whispered looking at the others then at Veldahar. 

Veldahar shook his head, “I don’t… know for sure…”

“The way to Pax Tharkas is through a secret door,” Galdrias said. Before anyone could stop him, he reached down and pulled out the chipped stone. The door shivered and began to swing silently inward.

The door slid aside to reveal a large room, nearly filled with yellow, brick-like objects. Through a thick layer of dust, a faint yellowish color was visible.

“A treasure room!” One of the draiks cried. “We’ve found the treasure of Kitha-Karian!”

Jing was surprised by Galdrias suddenly opening it though looking at the room in awe she took a small step forward. “I’m guessing this isn’t the door we need… But it looks really amazing inside!”

Lei was standing back, not liking this at all. He belived Veldahar’s warning and had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

Lyuthi just squeezed Veldahar’s arm as the door opened and she did not step forward as the other did. “I..do..you really think it is wise to go in there? It has to be booby trapped!” She said eyeing her ‘family’s fortune’ with a frown.

As more of the draiks moved towards the gleaming treasure,  Bast’s eyes widened as he gasped. Something, some form of mist was taking shape at the door.

Veldahar cursed, “We cannot fight that, her touch is death, and if she wails while we are within these walls, we are doomed. Her keening voice alone kills. Run, run all of you! Quickly!”

Those closest stumbled back in horror as the form became those of a coldly beautiful dark draikess. An evil draik from ages past whose punishment for crimes unspeakable had been execution.

TheI the powerful draik magic-users chained her spirit, forcing her to guard forever the king’s treasure. At the sight of these living beings, she stretched out her hands, craving the warmth of flesh, and opened her mouth to scream out her grief and her hatred of all living things.

Lei watched in shock at what he saw, backing up more, holding Dalit closer. “Lets get out of here! Now!”

Jing quickly backed up in fear, some of the draiks around her caused her to fall back to the ground, she really hated being small sometimes. She struggled to get back on her feetand run from the dark draik.

Lyuthi tugged on Veldahar’s arm and moved back quickly. “Come on!” She cried looking up at him before moving to try and drag him back.

Everything was confusion as they ran for the door. Strong but gnarly hands pulled Jing to her feet, and away from the trample of he taller draiks. “This way!”

The only torch fell with a clatter, it’s light snuffed, plunging the room into darkness. Seeing her prey escaping, the spirit flitted into the Chain Room, her grasping hand brushing a draik’s cheek. He screamed at the chilling, burning touch and collapsed. Bast caught him and dragged him through the door, just as the others lunged through.

“Is that everyone?” Veldahar asked, reluctant to close the door. Then he heard a low, moaning sound, so frightful that he felt his heart stop beating for a moment. Fear seized him. He couldn’t breathe. The cry ceased, and his heart gave a great, painful leap. The spirit sucked in it’s breath to scream again.

“No time to look!” Galdrias threw himself at the door, and with Veldahar’s help they slammed it shut with a book that echoed through the hall.

Lei stepped back farther from the door, sighing in relif when it was closed. “That was way to close…” He muttered, looking around at the group.

As the spirit moaned Lyuthi felt her whole body shudder and she clung to Veldahar’s arm as she trembled badly. It felt like her whole body was frozen and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. As Veldahar left her side to shut the door she held herself and closed her eyes tight, hoping she could forget that spirit and everything about it.

“That door won’t hold her for long.” Veldahar warned, turning to Lei, “Can you freeze it shut? It’ll gain us some time. The rest, we have to go back to the other passageway!” He urged them on, once more by Lyuthi’s side, clasping her hand.

Lei nodded, “Ya I can.” He said, taking a step forward and blowing a cloud of freezing air over the door to freeze it shut.

Lyuthi flinched and jumped as he grabbed her hand and her eyes flashed open in fright, only to fill with relief as she saw it was him. Despite her best attempts she couldn’t stop shaking.

Veldahar urged the group down back to the other dead end, where Galdrias managed to find a secret door, leading to a series of short, debris-filled tunnels. Trembling with fear, the group wearily made their way past these obstacles. Finally they emerged into a large, open room filled from ceiling to floor with stacks of wooden crates. Bast lit a torch on the wall.

The crates werenailed shut. Some bore the label ALTADOR, some SHENKUU. “This is it. We’re inside the fortress.” Galdrias said, grimly victorious. “We stand in the cellar of Pax Thorken.”

“Bout freaking time!” Veldahar sighed and sank onto the floor, the others slumping down as well, Rena was exhausted, and flopped to the ground by Iris.

Bast looked around the tired group and frowned. “Where’s Jing and Silver?” A careful head count showed that the old magician, Grisfam, was also missing.

Lei sighed quietly, falling abck to the ground with Dalit in his lap. “Time for a good re-” He stopped though, hearing Bast he looked around a little. “Oh no… Are they… in that room?”

Lyuthi sat beside Veldahar, practically in his lap with how close she was, still trembling. She just couldn’t shake the thought of that spirit out of her mind, it really was freaking her out. So much so that she didn’t even hear the others.

Bast’s lips tightened, and he turned to retrace his steps. Galdrias caught his arm. “You’re crazy! You gain nothing by going back, they’ll have to manage on their own.” Bast shrugged him off, glaring. “You are not of my group. I’m responsible for those two, and I’ll be damned if I leave them behind!” He said angrily.

Veldahar had his arm aroun Lyuthi as he held her close, and looked up at the two, frowning. “If they are back in that room, then they are dead. If they escaped… they are with that old ixi, he seems crazy most of the time, but I’m sure he’ll look after those two.”

Lei watched Bast, sighing quietly. “Bast…” He moved a little, letting Dalit on the ground before standing and going over to his friend, putting a hand on his sholder. “Bast calm down. Trust in Jing and Silver. And Grisfam. They will keep safe, but don’t forget, there are more in the group then just them. We need you here to help look after Iris and Rena. Our friends are strong and going back you might end up killed. Remember what you promised Jing. Don’t play hero.”

Lyuthi was relieved when Veldahar wrapped an arm around her, he was really the only person she felt truly safe with. Catching her breath she looked up at him, doing her best to hide the fear that previously gripped her. “H-how is your arm now?” She asked but looked to the others, what were they talking about?

Bast seemed to be battling within himself, as he looked to Iris, and the girl sleeping in her arms, then at Dalit. He sighed finally, shoulders slumping. “I don’t like this…” He muttered, but didn’t move.

Veldahar turned his attention back to Lyuthi and smiled, “It aches, but it’ll be fine.” He assured her.

“I know you don’t. Neither do I Bast. But put faith in them. They will catch up with us some other way.” Lei insisted, hand still on Bast’s sholder. “They are all strong and will take care of each other.”

Lyuthi smiled faintly. “Can I see it?” She asked softly. So some were missing? She really didn’t have the mindset to worry.

Bast nodded, finally letting go of the torch, placing it back in the hold on the wall and sank to a seat, exhausted. “I hope you’re right, Lei…” Or he’d never forgive himself, he added silently.

Veldahar eased himself away from Lyuthi to turn and show her his injured arm. The cloth of his jacket had been seared away, and the wound was closed, healed over but still red and delicate to the touch. It would be some time before he grew new scales to cover the wound.

“Just have faith in our friends.” Lei said with a smile before going over to Dalit again and sitting with the young dragon.

Lyuthi winced, it looked odd with no scales. “We need to make you a bandage..” She said then bit into her sleeve, the pulled it so it tore. “This is really soft, I hope..it helps.” She said tearing into a long strip she slowly began to cover the wound.

Veldahar let her bandage his arm, wincing only faintly as she tightened the fabric. The others rested, drinking water and handing out quith-pa, hard rations made with dried fruit and flour. They weren’t very tasty but filled the stomach and renewed failing energy.

Lei ate silently, watching Bast worried. He was hoping the others would find a way to them soon. He didn’t like them being away like this and Bast obviously didn’t either.

Lyuthi got enough food for her and Veldahar, happy with the bandage she’d created. “Hopefully that will make it so that no infection gets in there.” She said as she began to eat the food provided.

Veldahar chuckled, “I’m sure you healed it enough that it can’t get infected.” He assured her, eating his share quickly then closing his eyes to rest. He was quickly asleep.

Lei watched all the others for a minute, sighing quietly. “So do you guys know where to head next?” He asked, looking at the other draiks as he put a hand on Dalit’s head.

Lyuthi laughed faintly as Veldahar fell asleep and she hugged her knees. She wasn’t tired. Looking to Lei she shook her head. “I have really no clue. How are the little ones?”

Iris had fallen asleep as well, with the sleeping five year old in her lap. Dalit was curled up in Lei’s own lap, peacefully asleep after the terrors of the day. Bast sighed, “We weren’t planning to help, but we’re this far into the fortress, I suppose we’ll have to do what we can.” He glanced at Veldahar, then at Galdrias, who had taken out a map of the fortress. The draik spent the next half hour planning things out with Bast and another draik while the others caught what sleep and rest they could.

Lei closed his eyes as well, desiding now was the best time to just relax and regain a little energy.

Lyuthi sighed, after a thousand years of sleep she found herself rarely sleeping and just sat staring at the ground. So her father was some great king, but she only remembered bits and pieces about him, nothing big. Gritting her teeth she decided to just settle in beside Veldahar and stare at the ceiling. She wanted to talk to Galdrias and figure out more about her past, but he too needed his rest.

After they’d decided their plan of action, Bast and Galdrias rested for some time too, until about two hours later, they woke, and got everyone else up. “We need to move, we’re running out of time.” Galdrias said, as Veldahar stretched stiff muscles.

Lei streached a little as he woke. Standing up and streaching his cramped wings. “Whats the plan?”

Lyuthi enjoyed watching the others sleep, she could tell who fell into dreams faster than others. She moved out of the way when they started to wake and stood stretching her own sore body. “How did you sleep?” She asked Veldahar.

“Pretty well.” He smiled, standing and walking to Galdrias and Bast as Lei asked the question. Galdrias quickly outlined the plan. He told hem where the slaves were kept and his plans to skean around to save the children first, then guide the women and kids to where the men were held.

Lei nodded as he heard that. “Shall we head out then?”

The others nodded in agreement and the group moved to the door of the cellar, Veldahar, Galdrias and Bast leading the way. The hallway outside appeared empty, though they could hear faint sounds of harsh, drunken laughter from a room directly across from them. Draconians. Silently, the companions slipped into the dark and dingy corridor.

Lei followed in silence, holding Dalit close. He really didn’t like this, but hoped everything would go as planned.

Lyuthi also stayed back with Lei and the kids, being quiet the whole time. This part of the ‘journey’ didn’t scare her or make her nervous. She was just really anxious to get all the innocent people out.

As they walked down the hall, they passed a room where they heard the muffled grunts and protests of someone. Veldahar paused at the door, frowning. He turned towards it, and Galdrias pulled him back, shaking his head vehemently.

Lei watched them before looking at the other draiks. What now? He thought but knew not to make any sounds for risk of being heard.

Veldahar freed himself of the prince’s grasp and moved forward, opening the door. It was a rather dark cellar, with less crates and less space. A greying old tonu lay bound and gagged on the floor, struggling to free himself. “Chert!” Veldahar hissed, running over to the tonu.

Lei blinked in suprise as he heard Veldahar and followed he draik in, atleast the room would be a good place to hide in for the moment right? But what was a… obvious friend of the gold draik’s.

Lyuthi pushed her way through the small group to chase after Veldahar. What was he doing running head first into a room he didn’t know about!?(or her for that matter) When she heard him say a name she flinched an old friend?

Veldahar quickly freed Chert’s binds, helping the stocky tonu to a sitting position. He looked just as shocked to see Veldahar and the group as Veldahar was to see him. “What are you doing here!?” Asked Veldahar in a whisper. “I could ask the same of you, lad!” The tonu huffed, glancing suspiciously at the group. “A bit small for a raiding party.” He commented. Veldahar grinned, “Bigger than a one-man attack squad.” He replied.

Lei watched them for a moment before thinking about an earlyer conversation. Grisfam had mentioned a old tonu… and Veldahar had reacted more then extpected. Guess this was who he was talking about. “We shouldn’t stay here for to long…” He pointed out in a whisper.

Veldahar looked up at Lei and nodded. He turned back to the tonu, “Can you stand?” “Of course I can!” Chert huffed, slowly getting to his feet, wincing as he did, hands and feet tingling from lack of blood circulation.

Lei nodded, heading back out of the room and looking around. He said nothing though, desiding it was best to be quiet for now. They could talk when they were in a relitivly safer place. Looking at Galdrias he motioned to the draik to lead the way.

By then Lyuthi had finally reached the front of the group and blinked at the old Tonu. Who was that? She thought looking around. Once again she was out of the loop.

Chert glanced at Lyuthi with some surprise, wondering in turn who she was, as well as the rest of the group with Veldahar. He recognized the draiks, but not the newcomers. Shrugging, he followed Veldahar as the group silently made their way down the hall once more.

Lyuthi followed closely beside Veldahar smiling at Chert. Well if Veldahar trusted him so did she…

Chert didn’t smile back, in fact, he was just concentrating on keeping up, obviously sore and having a hard time after being tied up for who knew how long. He didn’t say a word of complaint or ask for help though, plodding along on his short stumpy feet. He was a short, stocky fellow, reaching Veldahar’s elbows only.