Lieut sprinted along the ridges of the roofs and danced around any chimneys that blocked his path. He jumped any gaps in the buildings and skilfully overcame any obstacle in his path. Not once did his foot slip on the slick tiles, nor did he loose his balance on the narrow ridges. The rain continued to fall and the thunder rumbled, but it was clear that the bulk of the storm was moving towards the eastern highlands.

The rain had already reduced to a light drizzle and he came to a stop overlooking yet another square. But this one was far less grand, a large tree sat in the far corner its wide bows covering half the area and shading a rather promiscuous fountain of a naked woman carved in very realistic detail.

Floating in the air around the statue were small glowing lights that accentuated the womanly curves of the statue and caused Lieut’s mind to wander for a brief second. On the other side of the square the houses dropped down to only single story buildings and were obviously less well made. That side of the square was where the servants for the lords and ladies lived and also the location of the second largest port of the city.

“Strange,” Vythe remarked as he came up alongside Lieut. “The guards usually make this area a common stop on their patrol. I am sure you can guess why.”

“We will take to the streets now,” Lieut replied and he dropped from the high roof down to the wet streets below.

Not willing to drop down from a two-story building, or use any magicks that could alert the guards, both Vythe and Fairris took a bit longer to reach the streets, but Lieut waited for them. By the time it took for Vythe and Fairris to reach him, Lieut had not seen a single guard patrol move through the square. Likely his brother had done something that caused the guards to be in another part of the city.

“Something must have drawn the guard’s attention,” Vythe remarked, voicing Lieut’s thoughts.

“At least it makes our journey easier,” Fairris remarked quietly.

Lieut did not say anything and he jogged out into the square, past the fountain and into the shadowed streets and alleys that would take him to the docks.

The rain continued to subside and soon it was nothing more than a light sprinkle and a mist drifting in from the sea, shrouding the lanterns and providing them with a more stealthy passage. Soon Lieut felt the wooden boards of the docks under foot and his eyes could see the tall masts of ships in the dull light and the wharfs as they stretched into the bay.

The thud of their feet on the boards echoed uncomfortably around them but was thankfully lost in the sound of the waves knocking about the boats that were tied in the dock. The smell of salt and wet wood filled Lieut’s senses as they made their swift way along the docks to the south.

“Stop,” Fairris said suddenly as she grabbed Lieut and Vythe by the arm. “Listen.”

At first Lieut could only hear the slosh of water and the clunk of wood. But then his sharp ears picked up the sound of metal on wood and the clink of chainmail. Vythe was still wondering what they were hearing when Lieut motioned for them to hide with him behind a stack of boxes. Together they knelt in the shadows and waited patiently for the guards to come and go. Gradually the sounds of chainmail and heavy boots grew louder, before too long the light of a torch searched out through the thick mist and sliced through the gaps in the boxes. A group of three guards appeared moving through the cloud towards where they were hiding, speaking in hushed tones.

“What kind of monster could have done such a thing?” the first guard stammered.

“Five guards cut in half,” the second guard said grimly. “The days are growing dark my friends.”

“We should sound the alarm,” the third guard said nervously.

“No need,” replied the first. “All guards are on duty since the first alarm call. Another would only put the people in a panic.”

“You think the patrol that we left back there at the murder scene will be safe?” the second guard asked with concern. “You don’t think this silver-haired man will come back that way?”

“No,” replied the first guard. “But the guy is still around. I can feel it.”

“Good,” sneered the third guard. “I should like to chop his head off myself and put it on a spike. Three of those killed were my good friends.”

“Don’t be a fool,” scolded the first guard. “Come on, stay focused.”

Their voices became muffled as they moved around the corner and the light of their torches disappeared into the mist.

“Another massacre,” Fairris remarked softly as they moved from behind the crates.

“This man you follow is certainly ruthless, Lieut,” Vythe said grimly.

Lieut did not reply and turned to continue.

“We cannot go that way,” Fairris said. “There is likely a group of guards at the murder scene as they said.”

“Follow me,” replied Vythe.

Lieut let Vythe lead them out along one of the wharves before he turned back to the south and climbed over the docked boats and ships. Understanding Vythe’s intent Lieut took the lead, darting up gang planks and hopping across the decks of massive seafaring vessels before jumping back down to the next jetty in line. Their going was slower but at least it allowed them to avoid any possible trouble with the city guard. Besides it was not that hard jumping across boats and hopping along lines of mooring poles that stuck out of the water. As he came to the last jetty in the line the mist seemed to lessen and the clouds above their heads had blown away letting the twin moons shine down upon them and turning the mist into a silver veil.

Lieut paused at the last jetty as he waited for Vythe and Fairris to join him, and he looked up to the gigantic natural arch that stretched out across the bay. It was no doubt once a headland that reached into the ocean like the prow of a ship, but the slow decay of time and the relentless seas had worn away the rock leaving behind a great archway. Even though he was some ways away it towered over the top of him with the building of the Magi Guild glowing in the moonlight. Strangely the Magi had even built on the underside of the arch and created towers that clung to the rock hundreds of feet above the waves.

When Vythe and Fairris joined him, Lieut moved to a small boat tied at the dock and untied the ropes and jumped down into the shallow hull.

“We are stealing someone’s boat?” Vythe asked dryly, but he hopped in as well.

“Nothing new for you Vythe,” Fairris said playfully as she joined them.

Lieut and Vythe took up the oars and pushed from the jetty and began to row into the bay.

“I never stole immorally,” Vythe replied indignantly.

“The noble thief.” Lieut scoffed at Vythe. “Take from the rich to give to the poor? Stealing is stealing Vythe, and it is only ever for one’s own gain. Do not mask your acts as moral thievery. That is a lie.”

Vythe considered this closely as they rowed. “Theft is theft,” Vythe eventually agreed. “But the reasons behind the theft can be moral and noble.”

Lieut did not bother saying anything more.

“I only ever stole because I had to,” Fairris remarked quietly.

“Really?” Vythe asked in surprise as he pulled back on the oar. “Why would you ever need to steal?”

Fairris looked away across the still water. “After my parents died, stealing was really the only way that I could eat.”

“I find it hard to believe that you lived on the streets,” Vythe replied. “Tell me more.”

“We are nearly there,” Fairris replied, changing the topic.

The arch was practically over the top of them now as they rowed towards the small rocky island where it touched down into the water. The sea was becoming harder to navigate with many rocks spearing out of the water or lying just below the surface. But they made it to the island safe enough, with having only suffered a few scrapes and bumps. Once standing on the barnacle-covered rocks and seaweed, Vythe led the way over the island.

As Lieut climbed over he saw another boat being battered against the rocks of the island and listing heavily. It was evidence to show that his brother was not far ahead of them.

Following Vythe, Lieut jogged along the flats to the ocean side of the island. There the climb descended to a narrow path that was virtually at the same level as the water.  The path led under the rock and into a long narrow cavern with a high ceiling.

As soon as Lieut moved under the rock a terrible smell assaulted him, making his nose hairs burn and his eyes water.

“The smell,” coughed Fairris, covering her nose. “This must be the lair of some troll.”

“Indeed it is,” Vythe said quietly, also covering his nose and mouth. “The Magi acquired one from the Broiling Moors in Krnōrel. The beast protects the secret stair.”

“Not anymore,” Lieut said as they walked around a corner to see a bloody mess.

The water beside the path ended in a shallow pool in the centre of a round cave. Piles of bones lay around the base of several stalagmites that sat in the corner. The light of the moons shone through holes in the ceiling, and lying on the stone surrounded by a pool of black blood was a dead troll.

“It’s huge,” Fairris exclaimed as they moved closer to the carcass.

“It cannot have been dead long,” Vythe remarked as he took a closer look at the beast’s wounds. “Its blood has not yet congealed.”

“It must have been over ten-feet tall,” Fairris remarked. “Such devilry, yet this red-eyed man has made short work of the beast.”

Behind the dead troll Lieut could see an old stone door that had been knocked off its hinges. Behind the broken door he saw a staircase spiralling up into the natural arch. Lieut did not need Vythe to lead the way anymore, it was clear which way to go and without a second thought for the troll he skipped past the body and began the climb up into the Magi Guild.

One foot over the other Lieut began his climb up and soon the minutes were drifting by and his anxiety increased. Dust lined the steps and cobwebs hung in every nook and cranny with the owners of those webs long dead. As he climbed crypts began to line the walls in small recesses that were filled with old bones. Along the walls were also small holes where the dead’s skulls had been placed, smiling at him as he passed with wide grins and hollow eyes.

The stairs finally flattened into a small room with stone supports lining the chamber. But this was only a further extension to the crypts with bones piled in the corners and skulls lining the walls.

“What use would a Magi Guild have for the dead?” Fairris asked uneasily.

“That is one secret I never really discovered.” Vythe replied with a shrug. “Perhaps the villagers in the old times used to send their dead to be buried within the guild. Or maybe the Magi used to take in the sick and diseased to try and cure them, and if the ill died, they placed them in here so the sickness would not spread. Perhaps the Magi used to experiment on the effects the Fog had on people and shoved away their secret down here, so no one would know.”

Lieut ignored the conversation and quickly moved for the next set of stairs heading upwards. Crypts did not concern him now that he was so close to meeting up with his brother.

This set of stairs was less dusty and thankfully not as long and soon he was moving into the lowest part of the Guild, which was also an extensive archive. Bookcases lined the walls and created a maze through the large chamber reaching right up to the high ceiling. Old tomes and scrolls filled every shelf of the bookcases, all covered in dust and likely forgotten by most of the Magi. Red glowing crystals floated in the air illuminating the cavernous chamber and casting deep shadows. Nothing could be heard aside from the sounds of their own feet as they walked along, kicking up the dust that lay heavily on the stone tiles.

“I am familiar with this area of the Guild,” Vythe remarked as he took the lead. “And I know of another secret passageway, this one going right to the Grand Magi’s very own quarters.”

Lieut did not argue and followed Vythe through the maze of bookshelves. Vythe led them up another short flight of stairs to another floor filled with books, but this one seemed more readily used. In fact there was little to no dust and cobwebs around the area, and the floating crystal lights gave off a greater radiance. The bookcases were still a maze filled with small side rooms where tables and chairs sat for students and masters to read in quiet solitude.

Despite the chaotic layout Vythe seemed to know where he was going, and he led them to a dark corner where a couple of steps led down into a small and forgotten study.

At the centre of the room sat a small table with a single chair, a glowing crystal hung in the air and a small bookcase sat in the far corner. Vythe moved past the table and went straight to the bookcase where he ran his fingers over the stone beside it and pressed hard in a specific spot. The sound of a moving bolt was heard and the bookcase swung out with a resounding creak to reveal a dimly glowing passage.

“How ever did you come across this?” Fairris asked curiously. “I find it hard to believe that you might have stumbled upon it by accident.”

“I enjoy a good read,” Vythe replied honestly. “And I happened across an old journal by one of the first Grand Magi, the same one who built these passageways. This one will lead straight to the Grand Magi’s private study.”

Lieut did not need to hear any more. He pushed past Vythe and into the narrow corridor. At the end of the passage yet more stairs greeted him, and without a thought he began to climb up the steep spiral. Moving up this flight of stairs seemed to take ten times longer than the other ones combined. Lieut’s feet echoed off the cold stone and his breath was loud in his ears.

Lieut suddenly stopped his climb as he heard the sound of breaking timber and a cry of pain above him, both Vythe and Fairris heard it as well.

“Damn it,” Vythe swore and he rushed past Lieut up the stairs with Lieut and Fairris following quickly.

Close behind Vythe, Lieut came around the last turn in the staircase to see a wooden door blocking his path. But as they neared, the door silently swung out into a large room, which was lined with bookshelves with a few tables and chairs around. Stacked on the table were piles of old papers and books, and the door they had come through was in fact one of the many bookcases.

To the side as Lieut came into the room the Grand Magi Fenard Cardonian lay atop his desk which was a pile of splinters on the floor. Standing ominously above the Magi with his huge black metal war axe resting on one shoulder was his brother. Lieut’s brother turned to regard him curiously when he walked in and he casually dropped his axe into the chest of the Grand Magi.

“No,” yelled Vythe, and he took a step towards Lieut’s brother and the grand Magi.

Lieut quickly intercepted, grabbing Vythe’s outstretched hand and swinging him around to slam him in the face with his elbow. He punched Vythe in the gut, blasting the air from his lungs and Lieut palmed him heavily in the chest sending him staggering backwards into Fairris. Under the weight of Vythe and the blow, Fairris fell backwards down the stairs with Vythe on top of her.

Quickly Lieut slammed the secret door shut and wedged a nearby chair into it so it could not easily be opened again. He then turned back to his brother, whose red eyes were regarding him suspiciously.

Lieut sprinted along the ridges of the roofs and danced around any chimneys that blocked his path. He jumped any gaps in the buildings and skilfully overcame any obstacle in his path. Not once did his foot slip on the slick tiles, nor did he loose his balance on the narrow ridges. The rain continued to fall and the thunder rumbled, but it was clear that the bulk of the storm was moving towards the eastern highlands.

The rain had already reduced to a light drizzle and he came to a stop overlooking yet another square. But this one was far less grand, a large tree sat in the far corner its wide bows covering half the area and shading a rather promiscuous fountain of a naked woman carved in very realistic detail.

Floating in the air around the statue were small glowing lights that accentuated the womanly curves of the statue and caused Lieut’s mind to wander for a brief second. On the other side of the square the houses dropped down to only single story buildings and were obviously less well made. That side of the square was where the servants for the lords and ladies lived and also the location of the second largest port of the city.

“Strange,” Vythe remarked as he came up alongside Lieut. “The guards usually make this area a common stop on their patrol. I am sure you can guess why.”

“We will take to the streets now,” Lieut replied and he dropped from the high roof down to the wet streets below.

Not willing to drop down from a two-story building, or use any magicks that could alert the guards, both Vythe and Fairris took a bit longer to reach the streets, but Lieut waited for them. By the time it took for Vythe and Fairris to reach him, Lieut had not seen a single guard patrol move through the square. Likely his brother had done something that caused the guards to be in another part of the city.

“Something must have drawn the guard’s attention,” Vythe remarked, voicing Lieut’s thoughts.

“At least it makes our journey easier,” Fairris remarked quietly.

Lieut did not say anything and he jogged out into the square, past the fountain and into the shadowed streets and alleys that would take him to the docks.

The rain continued to subside and soon it was nothing more than a light sprinkle and a mist drifting in from the sea, shrouding the lanterns and providing them with a more stealthy passage. Soon Lieut felt the wooden boards of the docks under foot and his eyes could see the tall masts of ships in the dull light and the wharfs as they stretched into the bay.

The thud of their feet on the boards echoed uncomfortably around them but was thankfully lost in the sound of the waves knocking about the boats that were tied in the dock. The smell of salt and wet wood filled Lieut’s senses as they made their swift way along the docks to the south.

“Stop,” Fairris said suddenly as she grabbed Lieut and Vythe by the arm. “Listen.”

At first Lieut could only hear the slosh of water and the clunk of wood. But then his sharp ears picked up the sound of metal on wood and the clink of chainmail. Vythe was still wondering what they were hearing when Lieut motioned for them to hide with him behind a stack of boxes. Together they knelt in the shadows and waited patiently for the guards to come and go. Gradually the sounds of chainmail and heavy boots grew louder, before too long the light of a torch searched out through the thick mist and sliced through the gaps in the boxes. A group of three guards appeared moving through the cloud towards where they were hiding, speaking in hushed tones.

“What kind of monster could have done such a thing?” the first guard stammered.

“Five guards cut in half,” the second guard said grimly. “The days are growing dark my friends.”

“We should sound the alarm,” the third guard said nervously.

“No need,” replied the first. “All guards are on duty since the first alarm call. Another would only put the people in a panic.”

“You think the patrol that we left back there at the murder scene will be safe?” the second guard asked with concern. “You don’t think this silver-haired man will come back that way?”

“No,” replied the first guard. “But the guy is still around. I can feel it.”

“Good,” sneered the third guard. “I should like to chop his head off myself and put it on a spike. Three of those killed were my good friends.”

“Don’t be a fool,” scolded the first guard. “Come on, stay focused.”

Their voices became muffled as they moved around the corner and the light of their torches disappeared into the mist.

“Another massacre,” Fairris remarked softly as they moved from behind the crates.

“This man you follow is certainly ruthless, Lieut,” Vythe said grimly.

Lieut did not reply and turned to continue.

“We cannot go that way,” Fairris said. “There is likely a group of guards at the murder scene as they said.”

“Follow me,” replied Vythe.

Lieut let Vythe lead them out along one of the wharves before he turned back to the south and climbed over the docked boats and ships. Understanding Vythe’s intent Lieut took the lead, darting up gang planks and hopping across the decks of massive seafaring vessels before jumping back down to the next jetty in line. Their going was slower but at least it allowed them to avoid any possible trouble with the city guard. Besides it was not that hard jumping across boats and hopping along lines of mooring poles that stuck out of the water. As he came to the last jetty in the line the mist seemed to lessen and the clouds above their heads had blown away letting the twin moons shine down upon them and turning the mist into a silver veil.

Lieut paused at the last jetty as he waited for Vythe and Fairris to join him, and he looked up to the gigantic natural arch that stretched out across the bay. It was no doubt once a headland that reached into the ocean like the prow of a ship, but the slow decay of time and the relentless seas had worn away the rock leaving behind a great archway. Even though he was some ways away it towered over the top of him with the building of the Magi Guild glowing in the moonlight. Strangely the Magi had even built on the underside of the arch and created towers that clung to the rock hundreds of feet above the waves.

When Vythe and Fairris joined him, Lieut moved to a small boat tied at the dock and untied the ropes and jumped down into the shallow hull.

“We are stealing someone’s boat?” Vythe asked dryly, but he hopped in as well.

“Nothing new for you Vythe,” Fairris said playfully as she joined them.

Lieut and Vythe took up the oars and pushed from the jetty and began to row into the bay.

“I never stole immorally,” Vythe replied indignantly.

“The noble thief.” Lieut scoffed at Vythe. “Take from the rich to give to the poor? Stealing is stealing Vythe, and it is only ever for one’s own gain. Do not mask your acts as moral thievery. That is a lie.”

Vythe considered this closely as they rowed. “Theft is theft,” Vythe eventually agreed. “But the reasons behind the theft can be moral and noble.”

Lieut did not bother saying anything more.

“I only ever stole because I had to,” Fairris remarked quietly.

“Really?” Vythe asked in surprise as he pulled back on the oar. “Why would you ever need to steal?”

Fairris looked away across the still water. “After my parents died, stealing was really the only way that I could eat.”

“I find it hard to believe that you lived on the streets,” Vythe replied. “Tell me more.”

“We are nearly there,” Fairris replied, changing the topic.

The arch was practically over the top of them now as they rowed towards the small rocky island where it touched down into the water. The sea was becoming harder to navigate with many rocks spearing out of the water or lying just below the surface. But they made it to the island safe enough, with having only suffered a few scrapes and bumps. Once standing on the barnacle-covered rocks and seaweed, Vythe led the way over the island.

As Lieut climbed over he saw another boat being battered against the rocks of the island and listing heavily. It was evidence to show that his brother was not far ahead of them.

Following Vythe, Lieut jogged along the flats to the ocean side of the island. There the climb descended to a narrow path that was virtually at the same level as the water.  The path led under the rock and into a long narrow cavern with a high ceiling.

As soon as Lieut moved under the rock a terrible smell assaulted him, making his nose hairs burn and his eyes water.

“The smell,” coughed Fairris, covering her nose. “This must be the lair of some troll.”

“Indeed it is,” Vythe said quietly, also covering his nose and mouth. “The Magi acquired one from the Broiling Moors in Krnōrel. The beast protects the secret stair.”

“Not anymore,” Lieut said as they walked around a corner to see a bloody mess.

The water beside the path ended in a shallow pool in the centre of a round cave. Piles of bones lay around the base of several stalagmites that sat in the corner. The light of the moons shone through holes in the ceiling, and lying on the stone surrounded by a pool of black blood was a dead troll.

“It’s huge,” Fairris exclaimed as they moved closer to the carcass.

“It cannot have been dead long,” Vythe remarked as he took a closer look at the beast’s wounds. “Its blood has not yet congealed.”

“It must have been over ten-feet tall,” Fairris remarked. “Such devilry, yet this red-eyed man has made short work of the beast.”

Behind the dead troll Lieut could see an old stone door that had been knocked off its hinges. Behind the broken door he saw a staircase spiralling up into the natural arch. Lieut did not need Vythe to lead the way anymore, it was clear which way to go and without a second thought for the troll he skipped past the body and began the climb up into the Magi Guild.

One foot over the other Lieut began his climb up and soon the minutes were drifting by and his anxiety increased. Dust lined the steps and cobwebs hung in every nook and cranny with the owners of those webs long dead. As he climbed crypts began to line the walls in small recesses that were filled with old bones. Along the walls were also small holes where the dead’s skulls had been placed, smiling at him as he passed with wide grins and hollow eyes.

The stairs finally flattened into a small room with stone supports lining the chamber. But this was only a further extension to the crypts with bones piled in the corners and skulls lining the walls.

“What use would a Magi Guild have for the dead?” Fairris asked uneasily.

“That is one secret I never really discovered.” Vythe replied with a shrug. “Perhaps the villagers in the old times used to send their dead to be buried within the guild. Or maybe the Magi used to take in the sick and diseased to try and cure them, and if the ill died, they placed them in here so the sickness would not spread. Perhaps the Magi used to experiment on the effects the Fog had on people and shoved away their secret down here, so no one would know.”

Lieut ignored the conversation and quickly moved for the next set of stairs heading upwards. Crypts did not concern him now that he was so close to meeting up with his brother.

This set of stairs was less dusty and thankfully not as long and soon he was moving into the lowest part of the Guild, which was also an extensive archive. Bookcases lined the walls and created a maze through the large chamber reaching right up to the high ceiling. Old tomes and scrolls filled every shelf of the bookcases, all covered in dust and likely forgotten by most of the Magi. Red glowing crystals floated in the air illuminating the cavernous chamber and casting deep shadows. Nothing could be heard aside from the sounds of their own feet as they walked along, kicking up the dust that lay heavily on the stone tiles.

“I am familiar with this area of the Guild,” Vythe remarked as he took the lead. “And I know of another secret passageway, this one going right to the Grand Magi’s very own quarters.”

Lieut did not argue and followed Vythe through the maze of bookshelves. Vythe led them up another short flight of stairs to another floor filled with books, but this one seemed more readily used. In fact there was little to no dust and cobwebs around the area, and the floating crystal lights gave off a greater radiance. The bookcases were still a maze filled with small side rooms where tables and chairs sat for students and masters to read in quiet solitude.

Despite the chaotic layout Vythe seemed to know where he was going, and he led them to a dark corner where a couple of steps led down into a small and forgotten study.

At the centre of the room sat a small table with a single chair, a glowing crystal hung in the air and a small bookcase sat in the far corner. Vythe moved past the table and went straight to the bookcase where he ran his fingers over the stone beside it and pressed hard in a specific spot. The sound of a moving bolt was heard and the bookcase swung out with a resounding creak to reveal a dimly glowing passage.

“How ever did you come across this?” Fairris asked curiously. “I find it hard to believe that you might have stumbled upon it by accident.”

“I enjoy a good read,” Vythe replied honestly. “And I happened across an old journal by one of the first Grand Magi, the same one who built these passageways. This one will lead straight to the Grand Magi’s private study.”

Lieut did not need to hear any more. He pushed past Vythe and into the narrow corridor. At the end of the passage yet more stairs greeted him, and without a thought he began to climb up the steep spiral. Moving up this flight of stairs seemed to take ten times longer than the other ones combined. Lieut’s feet echoed off the cold stone and his breath was loud in his ears.

Lieut suddenly stopped his climb as he heard the sound of breaking timber and a cry of pain above him, both Vythe and Fairris heard it as well.

“Damn it,” Vythe swore and he rushed past Lieut up the stairs with Lieut and Fairris following quickly.

Close behind Vythe, Lieut came around the last turn in the staircase to see a wooden door blocking his path. But as they neared, the door silently swung out into a large room, which was lined with bookshelves with a few tables and chairs around. Stacked on the table were piles of old papers and books, and the door they had come through was in fact one of the many bookcases.

To the side as Lieut came into the room the Grand Magi Fenard Cardonian lay atop his desk which was a pile of splinters on the floor. Standing ominously above the Magi with his huge black metal war axe resting on one shoulder was his brother. Lieut’s brother turned to regard him curiously when he walked in and he casually dropped his axe into the chest of the Grand Magi.

“No,” yelled Vythe, and he took a step towards Lieut’s brother and the grand Magi.

Lieut quickly intercepted, grabbing Vythe’s outstretched hand and swinging him around to slam him in the face with his elbow. He punched Vythe in the gut, blasting the air from his lungs and Lieut palmed him heavily in the chest sending him staggering backwards into Fairris. Under the weight of Vythe and the blow, Fairris fell backwards down the stairs with Vythe on top of her.

Quickly Lieut slammed the secret door shut and wedged a nearby chair into it so it could not easily be opened again. He then turned back to his brother, whose red eyes were regarding him suspiciously.

*****************************************************

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