As the fire grew, the creature began to slap the flames, but to no effect. Its own skin began to burn as it tried without success to extinguish itself.

Whether it was truly dead, or if some spark of life remained to guide it, Jig didn’t know. But the creature was apparently able to make decisions. Having realized it couldn’t stop the fire, it turned again toward Jig. A few more minutes and it would be consumed, but that was plenty of time to dispose of one little goblin.

So instead of the walking dead, Jig found himself facing a warrior of fire. Who still carried a big mace. This was not good. At least there was more light to see by, though. I guess there’s a bright side to every flaming corpse.

Jig grinned. That would make a good proverb, assuming he survived to tell it to anyone.

He scooted backward until he bumped into the bones that had fallen out of the far alcove. In his desperation, he grabbed the arm bone and flung it at the approaching creature.

It ducked out of the way, and the bone clattered into the far alcove. The far panel reappeared.

Jig stared. The panel was really back. He could see the flames reflected in the polished marble. That’s how they seal the alcoves after they kill off the intruders. That way they can go back and wait for the next adventurers.

“In here,” he shouted. Riana looked confused, so he grabbed her arm and threw her into the open alcove behind him. Even as she collided with the skeleton, her weight triggered the magic, and the marble panel began to shimmer into existence.

The creature swung as Jig leaped. He felt the wind and heat pass his head, and if Smudge hadn’t already burned his hair off, the creature probably would have ignited him. Passing through the shadowy panel was like swimming against a strong current. Or struggling against a whirlpool. His head and arms were already inside. He tried to push against the panel to help him through, but his hands sank uselessly into the half-formed marble.

What would happen if the panel finished appearing before he was inside? Would it fling Jig back into the creature’s grasp? Would it form around him, leaving his legs sticking out in the hallway?

Probably not, he decided. A better trap would simply cut him in half. Which would at least save him from a slower death by fire and mace.

Jig reached out blindly, caught Riana’s arm, and pulled as hard as he could.

He made it through. Old bones snapped as he landed on the now ruined skeleton, and Riana grunted with pain. In the sudden darkness, Jig couldn’t tell what part of Riana his knee had landed on, but she swore at him as she wriggled away.