The Path to Greatness/Chapter 9

Having no better recourse, we decided to move further into the strange interconnected city. Numerous labyrinthine passages snaked away from our location, but the passage of recent footsteps was quite apparent and that directed made our journey quite deliberately. It occurred to me then to be concerned about a lack of breathable air in such an enclosed underground space. I had heard stories of miners falling down dead while mining shadow ore and I had no desire to join their lot.

When I voiced this concern aloud, it was Culak who refuted it.

"The air moves here," he said simply, and I could tell it was true. The air was cool and fresh and I could feel a breeze blowing gently. "Either there is a very big space or another opening to the above."

"Both are true..." a voice said suddenly. Its intonation of the common tongue was somewhat unusual. I had heard its like before, however, and knew what I would find even before I turned around....

"Drakel."

"Your statement of the obvious is quite astute," the figure said then, turning his head slightly. "You are a servitor of the Order of Lorithia.... Very good... your assistance is required..."

"What?" I said, befuddled that the Drakel was not only taking my presence in stride but was taking to impose himself upon my services.

"Your assistance is required, Knight. I invoke the Sigma Directive... You must comply."

"What's this Sigma Directive?" Kendrel asked.

"It's code, old; it refers to resisting The'Galin the Uncreator."

"What then shall we do?" Kendrel asked.

I paused briefly to consider my options.