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Hunched over as she neared the doorway at the end of the corridor, she saw a room to the left and right of her, each door marked by strange symbols. The one on her left had the image of a rising viper. The door on her right, the image of a vulture at rest. And ahead of her, the eye.

Knowing what the eye meant, she considered what else could be found in these rooms, but a part of her was hesitant to use up any more precious time. Gauldryon would eventually find his way into the city, and she meant to have Gregor trussed up like a fish, and ready to hand over to him.

But even as she started her way forward again, she did wonder if there was anything worthwhile she could find out about this place. As much as it chagrined her to do so, she needed to know more about this underground world, and these rooms could hold the key for her.

But before she could decide which of them to check first, she heard muffled footsteps from back in the corridor. And without hesitation, she opened a door, and leaped inside. The room she found herself within, was filled with wooden beds that sat side by side, belongings draped across the top, and chests. There was also a portrait of a black dragon with fearsome red eyes.

Heart still beating in a rush as adrenaline coursed through her body, she could hear the echo of feet draw closer, and crouched down ready to spring into battle. Thankfully however, they too moved on, and she released a heavy sigh of relief. This was going to be much harder than she realized. She knew she shouldn’t have expected to find Gregor wounded, dead, or somewhere close by, but a part of her had hoped to be done with this place.

Moving to examine each of the chests that sat next to each bed, she found a few spell scrolls written in a dialect she did not recognize, an unknown potion that could have any number of side effects, and a message scribbled into a piece of parchment. Oddly enough, it was written in the coroleyan tongue, and said,

“The Eye sees all. The Viper guards its nest. The Vulture preys upon the weak, but the Owl shows the way.”

With nothing else of any use to her here, she slipped back out into the corridor, and wondered what the message could possibly mean? Perhaps it meant nothing at all, or perhaps it was a clue to finding her way out of here. Either way, she needed to keep going. Gregor, for all she knew, could be miles ahead of her by now.

Head swinging back and forth to make sure the way was clear, she cracked open the door, before she made her way to the end of the corridor, and slowly inched her way inside. This chamber, unlike the other, was rounded with a single huge stone statue of a dragon in the middle of the room, and four wooden doors that stood all around her.

Painted again with symbols, this time, it showed an Owl along with a Viper, an Eye, and a Vulture. The room also had a strong scent of death that lingered in the air, and a crystal white diamond that hung high in the center of the domed ceiling. The first thing she thought when she saw that gem, was that Gregor couldn’t possibly have come this way. The damn fool would have tried stealing it the moment he saw it, its glittering surface almost hypnotizing as it illuminated the entire chamber in a soft aura.

What’s more, Daria couldn't help but notice the shadows that flickered across the smooth stone walls. One was of her, but the other two were of the dragon, and for a second she thought she saw the dark outlines move.

Not liking this at all, she felt a sense of palpable danger heavy in the air, and knew she had to leave, when the dragon’s eyes began to burn red.

Breathless as she stared at the statue in shock, she ran across the room, fearing something bad was about to happen, and rushed through the next doorway. And it was like stumbling from one nightmare into the next as she came face to face with a huge gray furred owl with intelligent golden eyes that stared at her. “Greetings, human, I am Lutgard. It shall be my honor to guide you.”

Too stunned to speak as she goggled for what seemed like an age, she finally managed to ask, “What are you? Do you serve the demons that live here?”

Hooting with what she assumed was laughter, the creature shook its head from side to side. “No, no, I serve no one. This is my domain, and I choose who I guide. The dekara, or demons as you call them, do occasionally call upon my services. As to what I am, I do not know. There may not even be a name for my kind, but I do like to think that I am quite unique in that regard. So what will it be? Do you wish for me to be your guide? I warn you, a journey without me is quite perilous.”

Still a little bewildered, she stuttered, “I, I need time to think.” Her eyes studied the creature wearily, but she could sense no hostility. And what did the creature mean by the dekara? She had so many questions, and knew so little about this world. She just wished she had paid far more attention to Glindol’s stories. But that seemed like a pointless fantasy right now. Becoming more aware of her surroundings, she finally took her gaze off the creature, and realized she was back outside. The whistling wind that blew in, showed her that she was high atop another ledge with a long drop down into a sea of sharp rocks.

Uncomfortable with heights, she took a hesitant step back, and had a moment to wonder where that breeze was coming from? Before she shook her head. It was time for her to decide what to do next. While the owl seemed harmless enough right now, she couldn’t help but notice its razor sharp beak, claws, and the way it stared at her with huge golden eyes that seemed to see far too much.

Eventually however, she said, “very well, will you be my guide. I am searching for another human, a male with long dark hair, and a greatsword on his back. He usually wears a bearskin cloak that smells of wet dog and piss.”

Its head crooked at an unusual angle, the owl replied, “I am afraid that is not how the game is played. As I said before, this is my domain, and those who wish for me to be their guide must play by my rules.”

Still hesitant, she asked, “What rules?”

Wings clapped together in excitement, the owl exclaimed, “Why they are simple. If you can solve my riddle, I shall take you across to where you need to go. Lose however, and you forfeit your life to me. Do you accept this agreement?”

Hand reflexively moving to the warhammer on her back, she couldn’t help but feel a sharp stab of apprehension at the threat, and asked, “And if I refuse?”

Wings flapping to either side of him, Lutgard gave another hoot of laughter, the feathers on its chest ruffled by the sudden stirring of the air. “Why nothing at all, my dear. You may go back if you so desire, or even go on alone, but you will need to travel through the Crags of Despair, Up through the Tower of Dusk, and to the Temple of the Mother where your quarry lies. Either way, you will have a long journey that awaits you, and even I can not aid you in this fight.”

Glancing down again at the place the owl had named the Crags of Despair, she thought she saw movement in among the rocks, before she nodded her head. “I accept.”

Wings spread out in a sudden flourish, the owl bowed its head, and gave another hoot of excitement. “Excellent. Listen well, for I shall not repeat it again.

“My tale begins when I was an owlet. I was flying with my mother high in the skies, when I came upon a father and his three loving sons. They lived in a small cottage atop a hill, when one day the father as he traveled along the road with his sons was struck down by a nasty troll. Nearing the end of his life, the oldest son begged the troll for mercy so that his father could live a while longer. The eldest boy even offered his own life as well. Believing itself to be more cunning than his foul kin, the troll readily agreed to this arrangement. Two after all was better than one.

“After several weeks had passed by, the troll returned for the father and the oldest son, only now it was the second son who begged for mercy, offering his own life in exchange for more time. Again seeing the feast that awaited him at the end, the troll agreed once more. For three was better than two.

“But after another two weeks had passed by, the troll returned one last time to take the father, the oldest son, and the second son. But now it was the youngest son who requested that his whole family be allowed to live a little longer, and that the troll only needed to wait until the wick of his candle had burned out. And in exchange he could have all of them.

“Unable to hide his greed, the troll agreed yet again. For what was a few hours compared to the satisfaction he would gain. But as they waited, the troll was forced to leave with an empty belly and the family allowed to live. How did this come to be?”

(If you think you have the answer, post it below in the comments. The best ones will be put in my book.)