The court of Isis part 2

"Be careful where you step. The floor is fragile and is likely to give way under our weight. It would be best to walk in a line to not strain the floor" there was logic in what the sultan said.

Although the hole was in front of Iris, she felt the floor under her shake as well.

She only had a few seconds to jump back before the area gave way into the darkness below. The hole showed no end and it would be impossible to tell if such a fall would kill someone.

"Wow, that's a deep hole. How did they build this place with this deep hole below? I cannot see anything beneath the walls" Misha commented, her tone impressed.

Iris looked inside the hole as well and confirmed the other's words. There was nothing underneath the wall, not even a beam to support it.

There was only a feeling of overall consuming magic in front of her. The hole seemed to have an endless supply of it.

Was this the reason the demons were attracted to such places? Because of the unbound magic it possessed.

"The walls were inlaid with magic to keep them standing. It's a pity that such a technology is only privy to the courts and their architects" that was a shame.

The sultan's voice indicated that she had tried to get her hands on that information but had failed to do so. If even the sultan failed, then it must be a big deal indeed.

"So, where to next? Is there a map of this place? What are we here for?" Nicole was the only one who seemed impatient enough to get back home. There was no doubt in Iris's that she wanted to report all this back to the Vizier.

"I don't know. The only instructions I had been given were to take Lady Iris here" the one who had issued the order had likely been the old lady of the court.

"This way. I can feel the magic in here" the magic seemed to be thickening in a particular direction. Iris had a feeling that it was the way she was supposed to go.

Though, she had to do her best to ignore the black hole of magic in front of her.

It would not be sane to jump into the hole. She was not suicidal after all.

"Then let's go down. But someone should stay up here, just in case. Nicole, would you like to volunteer yourself?" the sultan asked in a teasing tone.

Nicole did not give any answer, uncomfortable with the question aimed her way.

On one hand, it was not an order but it felt like that. If so, then she likely could not disobey. But on the other hand, it would mean Ladying critical information about this case and she could not afford to do that either.

It was a loss either way for her.

"I…am not sure that's a good idea. The safety of healer Iris was entrusted to me by the Vizier" the female let out and the sultan's eyes hardened instantly.

That had been the wrong thing to say.

"Are you saying that I am incapable of protecting Lady Iris? Are you doubting my capabilities? And of Lady Misha as well?" there seemed to be something in the sultan's voice, something other than anger and it was chilling.

Nicole recognized the danger as well because she almost choked on the magical aura in front of her.

"N-No, that's not what I meant. I was just -" she started but it was clear that the magic was getting to her now.

Nicole was a strong warrior but she did not know what to expect from such a place and was not mentally ready. The sultan and the Ahadi had likely been here before and knew how to counter the heavy magic.

The magic atmosphere of this place had already affected Nicole and Sultan Rhea's magical pressure carefully prodding at her was likely not helping.

Still, it was impressive that the warrior had not folded under it all. Many great fighters in the novel would have folded under the pressure.

"Nicole, stay here in case of an emergency. We will be back shortly" Iris decided to interfere as she lightly tapped the sultan's hand.

There was the feeling of wrong there, the coldness of her skin unnatural.

"Alright, I'll stay here" the guard had no other choice but to stay behind now.

But Iris was much more concerned about the other two at her side. There was a light sweat on their brows.

Nicole accompanied them till they hit a spiral staircase going downwards behind a ward and chose to wait upstairs.

The only way to go down from there was for a marked member of the court to be in contact with the others. That was what they had discovered by trial and error so Iris lead them downwards.

"Are you both alright? Your skin seemed unnaturally pale" Iris commented as she walked behind the other two.

"The magic is a little heavy for us as well. Unlike Lady Iris, we do not have the protection of this place. The further we go, the heavier the pressure becomes" Ah, that had to be expected.

Iris had felt the heavy magical pressure as well but it had come as a comfort. How fascinating this magic was.

And weird as well.

Iris had to think back on any such interaction mentioned in the novel but nothing jumped at her. There was too much she did not remember about it after all. It was the human tendency to forget after a while.

"Ah, I-I am f-fine" Misha's legs buckled after 10 minutes of descent and the sultan looked equally tired. They seemed to be out of breath as well.

"You should stay here" Iris proposed as she looked down the hole. The end was nowhere in sight and the stirs seemed endless as well.

Iris felt dread bloom over her as she looked ahead. How would her legs be able to handle all that climb back? She was going to be so sore when she gets back.

"N-No need. We can continue ahead" The sultan vetoed her offer, her eyes determined but the Ahadi had a different idea.

"Well, I can't go ahead and If I did then I will likely not come back from there" it might have seemed a little dramatic but Iris got a feeling it was a likely possibility.

"T-Then you wait here. I shall go with her" the small rest seemed to have done miracles for the sultan's breathing but it did not improve her condition.

"I don't think it's wise for you both to head down as well. You go up and I will meet you there" Iris proposed and the sultan seemed ready to protest.

But the Ahadi did not give her room to do so.

Maybe it was because of her institutions being inclined with nature or she sensed something here, she seemed to not want to go down toward the hole anymore.

"Sure thing. We'll leave it to you. Come back alive so that I can spar to my heart's content" the younger dragged the sultan upstairs and the sultan could do nothing against her.

As soon as they were out of the wards, the atmosphere of the place changed.

And maybe something more changed as well.

The end was visible now through the shadowy fog that had descended over the room. There were waves visible to Iris now and the depth seemed to be in sight now.