Maveryck paused when we reached a spot where the water calmed and a path of stones broke up the surface, leading from one shore to the other.
“We’ll have to cross the stones to make it to the other shore. It’s not deep, but these stones are slick, so we must tread carefully.”
Kull and Heidel both sheathed their weapons as we prepared to cross. Maveryck went first, stepping lightly from one rock to the next until he crossed the distance and leapt to the far shore. His wolf, Grace, followed close behind him on light feet that didn’t make a sound as she bounded from one stone to the next, finally making it to her master’s side.
“Who’s next?” Maveryck called.
“I’ll go,” I said. “I’d like to get this over with.”
I shouldered my pack and stepped onto the first stone. My boots slipped and I almost tipped into the water, but I managed to catch myself just in time and made it to the next stone, and then the next. When I reached the halfway point, I felt the air change and realized I must have crossed the barrier into the witch’s territory.
An uncontrollable chill made me pause as Theht’s presence reacted to the magic. Flexing my fists, I pushed my fear aside and concentrated instead on leaping from one stone to another, keeping my eyes on the path ahead. The sound of rushing water drowned out the pounding of my heartbeat.
Soon, I leapt from the last stone to the shore where Maveryck and Grace waited. Kull and Heidel made it across without incident, and without speaking, we followed Maveryck along the shore until we reached another tunnel. The path led us steadily upward until all sounds of the river disappeared once again.
Farther along, an elaborate carving made to look like a door blocked our path. A faint trace of bluish magic hummed through the written spells carved over the arching gateway. I felt its power as it vibrated through the wards, warming me. It was an odd sensation—one that I was unfamiliar with.
“What is this?” I asked.
“An elodise,” Maveryck answered. “An ancient elven gateway.”
“Elven gateway?” I asked, confused. “Are you sure? I’ve been around elves, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“I don’t suppose you would have. They aren’t commonplace.” He turned to face the gateway. “Once I conjure the spell, the door will only remain open for a few seconds. We will need to pass through it quickly; otherwise, we’ll become a permanent part of the mountain. Are you all prepared to enter?”
We each nodded, then Maveryck reached toward the door. Just as before, his magic gathered around him and spiraled in swirls of glimmering blue light. As he released his magic into the door, I felt the hairs on my arms stand on end. The door disappeared, replaced by a dark opening. On the other side was a faint golden gleam, but I could see nothing past that.
The door was an enigma to me. I’d studied magic my entire life, so I should have heard of a door such as this at least once. But for now, I had other matters to worry over. I turned back to the open gateway.
Kull and Heidel walked through first. I followed, then Maveryck and his wolf came behind me. We stepped into an enormous cavern. Behind us, the door sealed shut with a quiet whoosh.
Around us stood immense stacks of gold, though I spotted a few items made of precious stones, bronze, or silver. The labyrinth of jewels and weapons made my head spin. Light came from somewhere—up ahead, maybe?
“Where is the staff?” I whispered quietly to Maveryck.
“I’m not sure, but the witch keeps her most guarded treasures in the next chamber on the top level. Follow me.”
We crossed into an open area, and the entire vault came into view. The cavern was built like a honeycomb, with spiraling staircases and narrow bridges connecting one level to the next. Wooden and stone pillars, balconies, and bridges were embellished with images of skulls and winged demons, an ornate masterpiece that sent shivers down my spine.
“Up there,” Maveryck whispered, pointing to the topmost level, “is where she puts the most dangerous objects. If we’re to find the staff, I believe it would be there. Stay close.”
We followed Maveryck as we hiked toward one of the staircases, our footsteps echoing through the immense chamber. As we walked, we passed a set of towering double doors.
“That is the only other entrance into the vaults,” Maveryck said, “and it looks as if we’ve beaten the elves here.”
“I don’t like this,” Heidel whispered. “It reminds me too much of the catacombs in the goblin lands. It was a nightmare trying to fight my way out of that place.”
“We will have no need of fighting our way out as long as we do not attract attention,” Maveryck said. He gave Grace a gentle pat on the head, and we continued onward.
I’d never been to the goblin underworld, so I had no way of disputing Heidel’s statement. But I knew she’d spent time in the goblin catacombs, and I was sure it must have been an unpleasant memory, to say the least.
We made it to a narrow, spiraling staircase situated under the dome’s apex and began climbing to the top. In several places, a bridge connected the staircase with the surrounding balconies. With each stair we climbed, the height grew more dizzying.
When we reached the top of the staircase, we crossed a bridge that led us to the balconies surrounding the honeycomb. With no handrails, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other until I stepped onto the far landing. The others gathered around me after crossing the bridge. We found ourselves on a narrow balcony that circled the upper edge of the catacomb. Niches had been hewn into the
