In the Plaza

Orloth confronts the umber door. It looks like it should swing away from the stairs. It is closed by a dulled brass lever and latch. The end of the lever that Orloth can see is shaped like a small hand with its fingers spread wide. The hand has six clawed fingers.

Azif finishes with Arius' hands. The ooze of blood is stanched and the pain fades.

Orloth hears nothing. The flickering torchlight makes it seem like the little brass hand flexes as he leans toward the door.

As the iron touches the brass, the hand twitches upward. With a small clank, the latch lifts. The door swings a few inches away from Orloth.

Downstairs, Lothkwa says "I smell deviltry above."

Indeed, an indeterminate odor of foulness wafts to the ranger through the crack of the door. The weasel chitters and squirms in its bag.

The room beyond the door has shutters at the windows, as below. The torchlight from behind and below Azif does not reveal what lies within. The odor, however, is a deathly stench. Azif gulps back against his rebellious stomach.

The stench of the room makes Orloth gag and Chancy squeals.

The torch reveals a large rectangular table, which appears to be made of pale blue glass about two inches thick. The table is a convenient height for a worktop or dining. The corners of the table are upheld byThe table occupies most of this room. At either side of the room the umber-daubed walls are close, with three doors at each side that probably lead to cells that were occupied by the apprentices. At the far end is a ladder leading up.

The torch also uncovers the source of the stench.