Ember remembered hearing something like that when she'd earlier lived in New Koratia. She also knew that the tunnels were rumored to be part of an ancient temple complex dedicated to an infernal god. The monk decided to keep that tidbit to herself if the gnome didn't already know it. Nebin had proved a bit flighty, and she didn't want to cultivate his fear. Anyway, she didn't think they had much to worry about. Overall, the tunnels made good sewer conduits.
The stench was palpable. Nebin was most affected by the odor. He claimed it was because, being the shortest, his head was closest to the liquid that swirled down the center of the brick tunnel. Soon enough, however, they left the sewers and their stink behind, as they entered the older, pre-Koratian tunnels. Brek Gorunn carried a lantern, though he carried it only out of courtesy-as a dwarf, he could find his way in the dark without aid from artificial light.
Ember provided directions, drawing on the memories of her previous trek. The tunnel turned a few times then sloped down ward. At times they felt cooler air on their faces, issuing from dark, side passages. Though they saw many branching corridors-some with stairs, some narrow, and others broad-Ember kept to the passage originally selected, which continued to lead steadily but gradually down.
The corridor finally emptied into a broad hall. Besides the passage they arrived on, two other tunnels departed the hall.
Directly opposite them was a high, wide arch scribed with many runes. Heavy stone doors, likewise scribbled with signs-or perhaps graffiti-barred passage, but one of the doors was slightly ajar.
This is the place Kairoth and I found during our expedition," said Ember. She was relieved to have found it so easily. "We translated runes on the arch and door as best we could. They speak of reverance for the unseen, sacrifice, and power. We dubbed it a temple, though I suppose it could be something else. We never got past the doors."
"They're open now," observed Brek Gorunn. "Where is Kairoth? Perhaps he got tired of waiting."
The dwarf moved forward to examine the stonework of the arch, nodding in appreciation.
Where was he, indeed? Ember wondered.
She didn't let her uncertainty color her features or voice when she said, "Perhaps he only checks this place periodically. He may have left a message."
She began searching the floor of the hall near the arch. Nebin and Hennet joined her. The light of the lantern held by the dwarf cast their shadows long across the floor of the chamber and up Into the narrow tunnels.
"Here," said Hennet. Ember saw that the sorcerer squatted near one corner. "A ring of stones. Looks like a fire ring, and used recently."
Hennet reached into the pit and disturbed a layer of ash.
Ember and Brek Gorunn joined the sorcerer. The dwarf pointed.
"See the scratches here, as if something was dragged? Dragged through this archway, unless I miss my mark. Whoever camped here either decided to go exploring, or something inside the 'temple' came out and got him."
"Him…" mused Ember, her heart beating faster. "You think it was Kairoth?"
"Who else?" said Brek. "Based on his message, he should be here. Here, we find signs of a camp and an ambush."
Ember couldn't find fault with the dwarf's logic.
She nodded and said, "Then, through the arch we go. Be wary."
Ember strolled over to the arch, but the sight of one of the runes on the door distracted her. It strongly resembled the strange symbol she'd seen on Elder Vobod's ring-a circle with many arrows pointing inward. She hoped it was merely coinci dence. She could do nothing about it except push on.
Ember worked her fingers into the crack between the cold, wet door and frame and pulled. She had to place her foot against the wall and strain before being rewarded with the sounds of creaking hinges and stone grating against stone, but at last the portal moved and swung wide.
She looked to her companions and asked, "Everyone ready?"
Hennet unslung his crossbow. He cranked back the mechanism and loaded it with a bolt.
"I thought you preferred magic?" she asked him.
"In a tight spot, I prefer options."
Ember laughed, hoping to break the tension that had descended at the sight of the chamber beyond the portal.
Brek's lantern revealed that, unlike the crude stonework of the tunnels they stood in, the newly revealed chamber was tiled in a greenish-brown stone. A pile of ash, broken bones, stony debris, and unidentifiable filth lay heaped in the room's center. The smell of rot, as of food too long in the sun, made Ember's nose wrinkle. A single passage led farther into the complex. Nothing moved, save dust particles in the beam of light.
"Hold back a moment, let me go first," said Ember.
The rest of the group didn't argue. She knew she had a knack for taking charge, but after all, they were there because of her. She walked slowly forward, looking around as she went, moving toward the ash heap. She didn't like its shape, but something glinted on top.
Ember was about halfway between the arch and the heap when the tile below her gave way. One side of the tile flipped down as if on a hinge. She dropped down into the pit without a sound and was gone.
"Ember!" yelled Hennet, sprinting into the room.
He wasn't the only one yelling or entering the room. Two figures issued from the shadowed hallway opposite the ash heap, shuffling and shambling forward. Hennet stopped short of the pit Ember had fallen into, his eyes wide, and his hands clenched in determination. The mere sight of the creatures threatened to send him spiraling into mind-numbing despair, but he fought it hack.
The creatures were withered and desiccated, their features hidden beneath centuries-old funerary wrappings. They moved with a steady gait, heading toward the edge of the pit Ember had fallen into. A pungent order wafted forward, like that of a spice cabinet left too long without cleaning.
Hennet spared a glance at his companions. True to form, the gnome looked terrified beyond any capacity for casting spells. Brek appeared less affected, but still taken aback.
The dwarf whispered, "Mummified corpses! 'Ware their touch; it's deadly."
Hennet nodded. He stowed his crossbow and prepared to cast a spell. He hoped that, as a cleric, Brek had power over unlife like other priests he'd known.
Brek Gorunn took a step forward, held forth his hammer, and bellowed, "Moradin commands that you give way, unholy creatures! Turn your faces and be destroyed!"
His hammer blazed with golden light and one of the two advancing mummies faltered, croaked out a terrible whine, and turned back toward the way it had come. The other shook off Brek's holy command and continued forward, reaching the edge of the pit.
Not so fast, thought Hennet.
He summoned a duo of enchanted force missiles from his out stretched hand, which slammed into the creature like hurled daggers. It absorbed the magical attack with barely a shudder, despite two bloodless holes smoking in its torso. It kept advancing.
Desperate, Hennet yelled, "Your wand! Nebin, your wand!"
Hennet silently cursed as the gnome remained frozen in fear. Not so Brek, who rushed forward swinging his warhammer. But he moved too slowly for Hennet's taste. The animate corpse was leaning forward and straining with one arm to reach down into the pit. Hennet released another twin barrage of magical energy; the thing shuddered again, but still remained on its feel.
"Damn you, Nebin!" yelled the human sorcerer, "wake up and use your wand!"