19 Chapter 18

I carefully walk into the shadows ahead, light only shining so far in front of me. Except for the occasional glowing moss every now and then, of course. I notice the tunnel becoming less rounded and more square, a few bricks being picked out on the walls. Soon a complete section of a brick wall is in view with alcoves for candles. The tunnel must be changing, or were these walls here all along? No no, it wasn't. This is different.

The rock starts to clear up, and Jamil seems to notice this as well. We draw closer to a lit entrance as we all gasp, squinting into the bright light. "Ah, now this is a dungeon! This gate practically screams 'This way to the treasure room!'" Jamil's like a child the way he becomes excited. Practically jumping up and down and unable to refrain from shouting. He doesn't seem threatening at all like this. But I'm still on guard.

We have come to a stop, admiring the great hall. It's symmetrical, decorated with pillars, inscriptions, and brick. The path we're on has large spikes carving upward and keeping us in place. A large dragon head hangs above us with the same spikes hanging downward from its mouth. In front of us is a large table with some sort of ancient writing on it. Jamil rests his hands on it, leaning in closely to read the inscription.

Goltas, who was still holding Aladdin, and the red headed boy, who I finally learned was Morgin, stand alert not too far behind. The girl stands at the young Lord's side, but stares at me. Her bright (e/c) eyes locked with mine. I watch her blank expression, she's awfully cute. I smile, sending her a wave. Quickly though, she hides behind her Master. "There's an inscription. Is this an ancient language?" I glance over his arm to stare at it carefully immediately recognizing it. "Hm..if I'm not mistaken this is the Tran language." Seems he knew it too.

"Tran.. a few small southern tribes still use it." He stares at me in shock, handing me a bit of corn to which I shove in my pocket. "You're pretty smart! I'm surprised a commoner like you can even read!"

"I-it's nothing!"

"Hmm.. My teacher taught me some Tran. Let's see 'this path is the dragon's point of truth..?' This can't be right.." He's deep in thought. His translation is wrong, and I hope that maybe I can use this to my advantage. He might see me as even more useful and keep me alive.

Trying to play it off as a guess I speak up. "Maybe it says 'Pass the dragon's fangs to reach the truth. All resides in the dragon's tail.'?"

He stabs my arm, causing me to tumble over. Clutching onto the sore and bleeding limb, I hear Jamil comment, "I was just going to say that!" He stares down at me before he spits, "Commoners should know their place."

He walks ahead, not bothering to look back. I see that girl glance over her shoulder, but she just continues to cling onto his arm. I clench my fists, 'Argh.. he does anything he wants! But just wait.. I didn't suffer this for nothing!' After getting up and brushing myself off I quickly catch up with them.

Taking a look at what they all had been staring at I nearly choke, "My lord.. what's that?" I stare ahead at the hall in front of us. Spikes hang from the ceiling and the floor is filled with small holes. I hadn't seen anything like this so far in the dungeon. The only threat I'd faced other than him was those monsters.

"That is what you are here for. Feel free to step forward!" He motions ahead as I observe it. 'It's so obvious, I have to walk between the spikes and the holes in the floor.' I look back at them, Jamil who cheers me on, Aladdin who's asleep, Morgin, Goltas, and that girl who stand emotionless at bay. I can't understand what they were thinking. Then my gaze travels back to Aladdin, my friend, who's deep asleep and has no idea of the risk I'm being forced to make. He's the only one here who really cares if I survive this. So I run at an inhuman speed. The spikes began to fall, and I can feel Jamil's anticipation burning into my back. Fortunately for me, I'm quick and manage to dodge every last one that comes my way. I can hear their gasps in the distance.

"Whoa! He's quick!" I overhear Jamil shout. I can't help but start to feel a little cocky now. But I distract myself as I almost miss one. I tumble back, hitting the ground and rolling away in a painful thud. Luckily, I'm at the end and no serious damage befalls me.

"I did it.." I huff, letting out a relieved sigh. I wipe my brow, the others will soon follow, maybe I can do this. But then I hear a clinking sound. A trap door opens up from underneath me, and I begin to fall. I stare down beneath me at the spikes that reach up from below and threaten me. I reach out above me, but none of them will come to save me.