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"Do you recognize it?" Annon asked Khiara "What does it say?"

"The script is ancient," Khiara replied "It is not Vaettir I cannot read it" Her lanced as Erasmus, but the Preachán shook his head with mute surprise The dread in the Druidecht’s stomach increased They followed Nizeera deeper into the bowels of the tunnel The torchlight hissed and spit, the pitch burning a brilliant orange

Ahead, crulassy eyes stared at them, his mouth frozen in a rictus of pain Annon shuddered Beyond the corpse stood a broad arch, carved into the stone in perfect sye symbols The path beyond it was darker than ebony Not even their torches penetrated it

As they approached and carefully stepped around the body, Annon felt a presence in the blackness ahead It felt like eyes were boring into hi his courage

"Can either of you read the runes?" Annon asked "The script is different thanin the hall"

Khiara looked up at the archway, studying the letters She was silent for several linted in the torchlight "It says, and I translate this roughly: Beware the Ruby Goddess The huhtfully "What is the Ruby Goddess? Do you know?"

Khiara nodded, her expression brightening with relief at being useful "It is an ancient belief She is the Aeduan Goddess of Vengeance She was greatly feared The ancient texts say she punishes mortals It is odd to find reference to her here, when the Rikes do not believe in the old myths"

"Re here? This appears to be a temple built in her honor," Annon observed His sto fro?"

"It is," she replied She looked at the darkness nervously and stroked the edge of her arm with one hand "This place feels cold"

"It is evil," Erasic is at work Can’t you cancel it, Annon?"

Annon shook his head "Our torches may not be of much use to us e cross"

Nizeera prowled around the entryway nervously There is ic that is aware of us It is waiting to strike at us