“I think we try to find out more by ourselves. Let us get out of here and see what else we may discover.” He sighed. “If we find no clear way home or at least a better sense of this place, we can always come back.” He glanced around and said, “Besides, I’d rather strike up a conversation in there with our distant cousins when it’s less likely we’d be surprised by guards.”

Gulamendis inclined his head as he thought, then said, “Agreed. We might better be served to do it while the humans and dwarves slept. We can almost certainly count on our kin not to betray us.”

“You have a better opinion of our people than I do, brother,” said Laromendis. “Come on and stay close. If I have to suddenly conjure another illusion quickly, it’s certain to be a small one.”

“I shall be your virtual shadow,” said his brother softly.

“Which way?” asked Laromendis.

“That way we came, opposite lie the cells. Across or behind? Let’s go forward.”

They set off softly and carefully, moving up the stairway that had been on their right side when they first entered the dungeon.

“Any other suggestions?” whispered Gulamendis.

“Keep still,” hissed his brother, and they both backed down the hallway, ready to turn and run.

They had reached the top of the stairs and found themselves in a vast armory, and at the far end a group of demons were endeavoring to fit armor to what apparently were new recruits. With grunts and other guttural sounds, they communicated with them how to fasten the new chest-plates and helms. They were so intent on their task, they failed to notice the two elves who walked into the hall.

Gulamendis backed into the hallway as his brother tugged on his tunic. When they were back in the shadows, they turned and hurried down the stairs. When they were near the level of the entrance to the dungeon, they knelt and peered into the room. Seeing no movement, they hurried across the large expanse and paused. “That way,” said Laromendis.

“This time a little slower, brother.”

“Agreed.”

They crept up the stairs.

Most of this huge keep was empty. The elves judged there was enough room for a thousand or more soldiers to be garrisoned in a host of now empty barracks rooms scattered throughout the massive structure. It was clear from this design, that elements of any army occupying the fortification were positioned to reach their defensive positions in the shortest time possible, rather than the more common practice of placing them in a single large barracks. It was also clear this gigantic assemblage of buildings and walls had been constructed by someone ages before. The scale was wrong for demons. The halls and galleries were too large for the smallest of them, and yet far too small for the greater demons. Something between dwarf and tall elf lived here, in the past.