“You do not understand, Cara. I have seen monsters. Immortality makes monsters out of the best of men. In Chandrar, there are immortal dead-kings. They make war on Terandria. Vampires take the lives of good folk with no regard. Even Dragons—wise as some are—can be so terribly evil. I am just a man. I fear that one day I will be the very thing I fought against if I go with you.”

He whispered into the darkness. For a second, his hand reached up for the hilt of his sword, and his eyes darkened. He stared grimly at a vision from his past. Then turned away. Cara shook her head.

“Not you.”

“I nearly killed you.”

He snapped down at her. Cara half-smiled.

“That was before you got to know me. Dalius—I know you. And you’re just a good man. A Human being.

Like me.”

She touched her chest. The [Knight] hung his head. Then, suddenly, Dalius looked up. He turned to her, with a bright expression.

“Well—well, perhaps we’re not seeing a third option. See—the seal is weak. What if we made camp? For tonight? There may be—a way to open the tomb without breaking the seals or digging us out. A passphrase? Perhaps etched on the interior or hidden about somewhere. A secret exit? Let’s scout about before being hasty. I’ll make a fire and…”

“No.”

The echo of his reply came back to the [Knight] as Dalius floated off to find more roots. He looked back at her, confused.

“No? But surely another night won’t go amiss—”

The [Singer] walked forwards. Her hands reached out, and she felt the change in the air as she approached the doors. Like static—but different. Power laden in the glowing seals. She backed up, turning to the [Knight].

“No, Dalius. I need to get out. Now.”

His cheerful expression faltered. The ghost hesitated as he met her gaze, boring into his. He avoided it, spreading his hands.

“One more night, Miss Cara. Surely you can weather that. You have been endlessly brave, against undead and this darkness! Let us make a fire. I can gather a vast amount of roots. And perhaps you could sing—”

“No.”

The young woman turned. She walked towards the giant doors again, hesitating on that invisible boundary where the air grew dangerous.

She’d seen what they did to Dalius, but maybe there was a trick? She could throw something—try to scratch the rune? Her hair began to stand up, but she advanced, despite the risk.

She had to leave. The lack of sunlight was driving her insane. But—a silvery figure blocked her way. Cara halted and stared at Dalius, incredulously.

“I have sworn a duty, Miss Cara. I cannot so easily break my oaths.”

The [Knight] smiled, his lips curving up, but his eyes told another story. They focused on her desperately.

He was smiling like—Cara shuddered.