Chapter 27

The passageway ran on for miles. For further that he could ever have imagined. Mile upon mile of scorched black rock marked his path and guided him on his way. The further he went, the hotter his path became as he neared the mountain's core.

After a short while Varrus paused to catch his breath. He was breathing hard and his robes were drenched with sweat. He desperately searched his memory for the words to a spell of cooling. As he did so, an involuntary impulse ran through him and the words of a spell unknown to him appeared on the tip of his tongue.

At once his body temperature cooled and his breathing slowed. Even now, in the depths of the world's greatest volcano, his master watched over him.

He felt the pull of the star-god's magic stronger than ever. Despite his weariness, he was pulled deeper into the heart of the mountain.

"Not far to go now my servant."