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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2008 All Rights Reserved
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156
 Time is pressing and you have precious little of it left to you. Your gut feeling is that the object of your quest lies somewhere in the passages ahead, and rather than spend time uncovering what might lay beyond the stone door you move on quickly.
Some 40 metres from the second door the passage turns sharply to the east and then descends steeply into the heart of the mountain. Upon a wide landing you find yourself at the threshold to a staircase; a long flight of stairs that disappears into darkness far below. For a moment you hesitate and consider if you should find another way, but the stairs go deep into the mountain and you know the closer you delve to the root of the Devkraager Tor the more likely it is that you will find the Deep Vault. There is only one way that will take you to your quest's end, and that is down.
Well used, and cluttered by centuries of neglect the stairs provide a treacherous footing. In the half-light you are forced to pick your way carefully, keeping to those parts of the steps that allow for a safer, more stable passage. What is more concerning however, is the sign of recent movement on the stairway. Amongst the dust and debris is a clear trail, one that winds its way down the steps before you, and one that could only have been made by the footfalls of many creatures wearing upon the ancient stone.
After a short time you take a moment to rest, sip some water (If needed restore one point to your endurance level for the drink.) and consider the precarious circumstances that you now find yourself within. The staircase is huge, a wide arched ceiling reaching across the stairs, supported upon cracked and broken walls that descend into darkness before you. Within this enormous space however, there are no exits, nor places to hide if a patrol might happen your way. If you are to remain unnoticed in this place you will have to find the bottom of these stairs quickly.
Once you have rested you put away your water flask and then continue into the beckoning gloom below.
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This book, and its associated books and other documents in the Chronicles of Arborell series are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Windhammer is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au
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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2001 - 2007 All Rights Reserved
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