“Bathing in mud used to be a cure for certain ailments,” commented Lyra. “Do you think this is the Pit of Death?”
“I think we need some sure sign that we have found it,” remarked the Torak.
Axor nodded and started probing the nooks and crannies of the cave. He disappeared around the corner of an aberration in the rock wall and called to the others.
“There is a door here,” Axor declared. “It has the symbol of a skull above it. It reminds me of the doors behind the library wall just a bit too much for comfort. Should I open it?”
“Wait,” Marak shouted. The Torak turned to Rejji and Lyra and spoke softly, “There is a danger in going further, but also a danger in not exploring. What do you two think?”
“Is there a possibility of letting Dobuk into Angragar by opening the door?” asked Rejji.
“I think there is,” answered Lyra, “but one has to wonder where the door leads to.”
“If it does lead to Dobuk,” mused Marak, “why does he not use it to let Vand return and conquer Angragar?”
“Perhaps he does not want Vand to return to Angragar,” shrugged Lyra. “How much misery could Vand cause by capturing an empty city? Especially one that is isolated from everyone and hidden in the jungle?”
“You mean that Vand is a plaything for the demon?” asked Rejji.
“Perhaps,” nodded Lyra. “Dobuk must derive pleasure by inducing suffering. He has driven Vand into a frenzy to attack us and destroy us. What does Dobuk gain from the capture of Angragar?”
“Right now he would gain little,” nodded Marak, “but in a little while, it will once again become the capital of Fakara. Maybe that is why Kaltara has ordered it sealed. Perhaps by sealing this portal, we will force Dobuk to remain where he is.”
“And where is he?” asked Rejji. “We have no idea.”
“I do have an idea of his location,” countered Emperor Marak. “I believe that he resides in the temple on the Island of Darkness.”
“What leads you to believe that?” asked Lyra.
“My spy reported that something lived in the temple that Vand was required to visit once a day,” explained the Torak. “It is something that Vand fears. It makes sense to me that it could be Dobuk.”
“That would make sense,” nodded Lyra. “What else would Vand fear except Dobuk and Kaltara, and I doubt that that Vand visits Kaltara daily.”
“This could also be an opportunity,” Marak continued. “If this door leads to the temple on the Island of Darkness, our troops could attack through it and strike the head of our enemy. We might be able to end the invasion before it begins.”
“No,” Lyra replied emphatically. “The door would lead to the presence of Dobuk. Our armies would be instantly turned into ghouls for the Fallen One. Besides, if we merely kill Vand, Dobuk will choose another to lead the attack. I cannot agree to such a plan.”
“Lyra is right,” nodded Rejji. “While it is tempting to sneak through and attack Vand, the potential cost is much too great. We have no idea what awaits us on the other side of that door.”
“That is something that I can find out,” offered Axor.
“Not you, Axor,” Marak shook his head. “You cannot be allowed to go any further.”
“If you think that you are going through that door, Marak,” threatened Lyra, “you had better think again. I will not allow it.”
Marak smiled at Lyra and shook his head. “That is not what I was thinking, but I did not expect such assertiveness from you.”
Lyra blushed when she realized that her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. She removed her hand and shook her head with embarrassment.
“What exactly did you mean?” asked the Star of Sakova.
“Let’s assume that whoever walks through that door will have their mind taken over by Dobuk, as you suggested would happen to the army,” explained Emperor Marak. “If that is true, we cannot afford to send anyone who has intimate knowledge of our plans. We certainly cannot send anyone who knows how to use an air tunnel.”
“I agree,” Axor nodded. “I was not thinking of the potential problems. Still, we must know what lies beyond the door.”
“Not necessarily,” countered the Torak. “What we need to know is if our assumptions are valid as to whether the door is similar to the ones in the temple. If it is similar, it will lead to a small closet requiring the closing and opening of the door to go anywhere. If it is as I have described, we do not need to know where it will lead. We merely need to seal it.”
“Yet it could lead to yet another section of this cavern,” stated Rejji. “So we need to open this door before we seal it. And we need someone who has little knowledge of our plans to do it. Is that where we stand?”
“That is the situation,” nodded the Torak. “That someone is likely to face death, either by the hand of Dobuk, or by my hand. I will not allow an agent of Dobuk to come back through that door, even if it one of our own.”
“The only source of volunteers is the Qubari,” frowned Rejji. “Everyone who came with us already knows too much. I will speak to Yltar.”
Rejji turned and ascended the stairs out of the cavern. He climbed to the ground level and exited the shop. The Astor explained the problem to Yltar, and the head shaman selected a warrior after a moment of thought. He spoke in whispers to the Qubari warrior for several minutes before escorting him to Rejji.
“This is Panka,” Yltar said to Rejji. “He is willing to offer his life for the Astor.”
“Are you sure, Panka?” Rejji asked as his throat constricted with the thought of what he was asking this man to do. “There is a great chance that you will die this day.”
“I am sure,” Panka declared. “To die in the service of the Astor is an honor for the Qubari. My Uncle Yltar will care for my mother if I am stricken. I can ask for no more.”
Tears started to well up in Rejji’s eyes, and he turned away from Panka. He started walking into the shop as he heard Yltar speak.
“Follow the Astor, Panka,” Yltar said loudly. “He will show you what to do. Know that your name will honored forever in the memories of the Qubari.”
The Qubari warriors shouted Panka’s name as he followed the Astor into the shop. Rejji led the way down to the mud pool and introduced Panka to the others.
Marak bowed to the Qubari warrior and then placed his hands on the man’s shoulders.
“Your bravery is commendable, Panka,” smiled the Torak. “I hope that you have many more chances to demonstrate it, but this day is a test of it. There is a door around the corner. One who does not have the knowledge that we possess must open it. We want you to open it and describe what you see.”
“That is all?” asked Panka.
“That is all,” nodded the Torak as he wondered if he should explain more or let the Qubari remain brave in his innocence, “but it involves great danger.”
“I do not want to know anything further,” Panka declared. “It is better if I just obey your instructions. Where is this door?”
“Around this corner,” pointed Axor.
Panka walked around the corner and opened the door. The Torak drew his sword and motioned the others to get behind him.
“It is a small room,” Panka called from around the corner. “There is nothing in the room. What do I do next?”
“Close the door and return to us,” Rejji said as he sighed. When Panka emerged from around the corner, Rejji smiled at him. “You have shown your bravery, Panka. I want you to be one of my personal guards.”
“Do you mean like the two that the Torak has?” Panka asked with excitement. “I am to be one of the Astor’s shadows?”
“Yes, Panka,” smiled Rejji. “I could not ask for anyone as loyal and brave as you are. Return to the surface for now.”