>>6156797>>6156800>>6156842>>6156924>>6157005Slinking through the lower halls of the fort, Impa's team wends their way forward. Reaching the end of a corridor they find it to be a dead end. They turn around just in time to see another guard exit a side room into the hall and begin making his way towards them. Pointing to a nearby door Impa silently orders everyone through it. Piling everyone into the shadowed doorway, Sotrea pushes on the sturdy wooden door to no avail.
"It's locked" she hisses.
Pulling her to the side Shamel throws his weight against the door. It creaks slightly, but does not budge. The guard moves closer now, the light of his carried orb peeling away the concealing dark.
"Femi, the talisman." Impa whispers.
Nodding gravely, Femi takes out the special talisman and begins to quietly recite an incantation. Gradually his whispered words fade as does all sound around the group. The shadows too around them seem to darken fighting back the growing light. Using hand signals Impa and Shamel try the door together. Slamming their combined weight against the door causes the age worn wood to give and the latch holding the door shut to tear silently free. Hurrying everyone inside Impa closes the broken door.
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