Loten slowly sat down on a chalky rock and closed his eyes momentarily.
" It seems so strange. The foray into the lower levels didn�t take all that long, but it feels as if days have passed." The young paladin pulled out the newly recovered weapon from his belt and held the blade up to the light.
" This sword is magical. I could sense it when I attacked that shadowbeast down there. It was truly surprised when I struck it. From its shriek, I�d guess that only an enchanted blade would have wounded the creature."

The priest stomped along kicking away pieces of rubble that lay in his path.
" This damn place. What clues do you think it has?" He looked at the lorist with a disgruntled stare " Elf, what are the tomes this wizard held?"

Gailwind rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the late afternoon glare.
" A rhetorical about animals and " he wavered "...creating them. To Aramil's keeping, I haven't the opportunity to study." he answered with slight despondency.
At the prompting, the wizard retrieved the plum book he held and looked imploringly through it as Roslyn sat nearby.

" Makes sense. Those guardian creatures he had roaming everywhere; he must had produced a whole army at one time." despised Oktavianus. He whacked his warhammer against the ground in retched memory of his former slain companions.

Nanith withdrew the maroon book from his backpack and thumbed through its pages. " Sage, do you perhaps know someone that could help us translate it?"

Gailwind looked away from the slumped ranger and received the halfling's book.
" I can help you with a portion of this, Mr. Ninnipin, but the rest ...well, I have not the eyes to interpret magic scrawlings." The lorist then took time to read as much of the narrative writing as he could.

While Moran soared across the sky in lazy drifts, Erelis took notice of their next move. " Whatever those tomes tell us, I think our answers lie within the inner sanctity." He indicated the separating courtyard wall with a nod. " Let's complete this phase before the army returns to claim us."

Loten stooped to examine the unconscious ranger. " Oktavianus, is there anything that you can do for him?"

The dwarf twisted his beard and moved toward the woodsman who seemed more withdrawn and pale. Without a word, the priest bent down and placed his stubby hand over Teflar's forehead. With all he could muster, the cleric prayed and invoked his divine healing power projecting it into the warrior's body. After several minutes, he said " The black thing practically sapped away his soul. He must have plenty of food and water and should rest out of harm's way for three days. He will be okay, thereafter." He looked to Roslyn, " Wee one, you shouldn't be burdened with the menace we may have to face as we tour the rest of this pleasant abode. Would you please stay behind and monitor him? I prefer you remain in the courtyard out of harm's way."

Roslyn was relieved to be away from the trappings of the tower walls, but became more insecure at the thought of being left alone to fend for herself. She realized Teflar wasn't to be taken along and thought that, for the best of the party, she should fulfill her duty.

Loten agreed " Tomorrow, we must investigate this area further for any clues to the starpoint. It would only be a few hours."

As the fellowship prepared for a long night on the fortress grounds, they became absorbed in the readings as the pieced the puzzle together in unison.