Heading to Dhismiar, the best-worst underground city

"Fine. To Dhismiar," says Lucien will grab Eva's bag and head to the door.

"Hey, wait. I have some questions," says Eva, running behind him.

She isn't going to tell him not to take her bag. She isn't stupid: her bag is quite heavy, so if he wants to take it, well, by all means.

"Aren't we going to take the car?" she asks without breath. Damn! She really is in bad shape.

Lucien stops and turns around, waiting for Eva.

"No, the fastest way of going to Dhismiar is crossing the Arlingwoods, and as you may know, it is really not wise to cross a wood by car. So, we are going on foot," he explains.

They're still not moving, they're waiting for Leah to reach them. When she is near them, Lucien says, "It will take a couple of weeks, but we'll make good use of the time. During the journey, I will show you some martial arts, so you can defend yourselves. Now let's go."

***

Time has flown by, and they've already reached their destination. Well, they have arrived at the main gate of Dhismiar.

As he promised, during the trip Lucien has taught some martial arts' movements. The Drakos' sisters have also learned and memorized some magical enchantments to defend themselves from magic attacks. They are tired, but knowing that if they have to face any fight, they can somehow immobilize the enemy, it's really a boost of adrenalin.

The gate they are looking for is a big one, but not as enormous as the door of the Library's building. Eva steps forward, stops and turns.

"So, we are here. How do we enter? Do we knock the door?" she asks.

Lucien sights and shakes his hand at her ideas.

"As much as I like your suggestions, I have a better way to enter. We need a pass" he says when he gets to Eva's side, but without looking at her.

His eyes are in the gate as he takes something from the back pocket of the pants.

"A pass like this one," he says showing it to them. The object is a piece of rectangular leather, with a rope at one end. 'Dhismiar' is written on both surfaces.

They approach the gate, but before they can do anything else, they hear a voice coming from behind the door.

"Who goes? If you don't have the pass, you can go back the way you came."

"We are three travelers with the pass that you demand," says Lucien.

A second passes. Another one passes. But before a third one could pass, the gates began to lift to reveal a dwarf all dressed in black rags.

"Hm, show it to me first," says the gatekeeper.

Lucien hands the rectangular leather pass in.

"Hm, okay, everything is fine. You can enter, but first, you need to sign these papers," says the gatekeeper as he enters into a little room and goes out of it with three papers in his hand.

"What are these for?" asks Leah confused.

"By signing this document, you admit that you enter the city under your own responsibility and without being bound by the city, and therefore, you accept that the city is exempt from any liability for any perjury you may suffer, such as theft, injury or even death," reads Eva in shock.

"Yes, and if you don't sign it, you cannot enter. It's the law," says the gatekeeper. "Oh! By the way, you must sign it with blood. You know, for binding purposes."

The two sisters look at each other, and with a nod, they decide to sign. All in the name of the mission, of course.

Lucien, as prepared as one can be, takes out a dagger that he has been keeping in Eva's bag, and he does the first cut as well as the first sign. Then, he hands over the document. Leah and Eva do the same.

"Okay. Everything is in order. Now, follow me," says the gatekeeper.

He guides them through a series of tunnels, and after turning twice to the right, going down three stairs and turning once to the left, they finally reach the exit of the tunnel. This leads to a large cave carved into the depths of the earth, where the city is located.

"Welcome to Dhismiar, the best-worst underground city," says the gatekeeper.