The same style, but not identical. The colors were brighter. Perhaps the maker had used different types of glass, or perhaps the Necromancer’s minions weren’t as dirty as the goblins and hobgoblins. The column of water interrupted the image. Rather, the picture had been created around the pillar. Whorls of color came together around the column, where flecks of blue glass gave the impression of splashing water.

“Ach.” Darnak spat weakly into the puddle that surrounded him. “Feels like I took a nap on Earthmaker’s anvil and woke up with his hammer pounding my bones.” He reached back and pulled off his pack. His movements showed the same stiffness Jig felt. The dwarf grumbled a bit more as he sorted through his belongings, eventually pulling out a large blue wineskin. A few long swallows, and he sat back again.

“Much better,” he said contentedly. “Nothing like dwarven ale to take the edge off a bad day.” He took another drink before glancing around. “Everyone got a bit banged up, it seems.”

He used his club to push himself up. With a nod of thanks to Ryslind, who had cleaned a cut on Darnak’s scalp, he hobbled over to check on Barius.

“I’ll get him fixed up, and then we can see about paying a visit to this Necromancer of yours.”

“Um, Darnak?” Jig searched the room again, hoping his poor eyes had betrayed him.

“What is it?”

“How are we going to find the Necromancer?” When the dwarf didn’t appear to understand, Jig said, “There are no doors. How are we supposed to get out of the room?”

Darnak stared at the walls. “Damn me.” He took another long drink from his wineskin. “Check around for hidden doors. I won’t believe I let myself be flushed through that for nothing. As I’m not looking to go back through anytime soon, there must be another way out.”

Leaving Jig to cock his head at the questionable logic, Darnak knelt next to Barius and took the prince’s head in his hands. He studied Barius’s eyes for several minutes before reaching inside his armor and pulling out a small silver hammer on a chain. He clasped both hands around the hammer, as if to pray.

“Go on then,” Darnak snapped. “Get the elf to help search.”

Jig pushed himself to his feet. Riana joined him, limping slightly. One hand pressed a large, raw scrape on her elbow.

“I feel like I swallowed half that lake on the way down,” she complained.