“Freddie, no!” I fling myself to the edge of the yawning chasm that has opened up at the center of the circle. The stench of the pit fills my mouth and stings my throat as I look into the dark hole, searching for any sign of my brother, but it is too gloomy, and there is too much foul-smelling smoke. I detect movement, only, so that I am aware of beings of some sort flinging themselves about below. Some are winged. Others scrabble at the stony sides of the crater. I can still hear Freddie crying out, calling my name. I hold up my arm and flick Maygor’s Silver Thread into life, so that I can whip it into the hole. “Freddie, catch the rope! Catch hold of the rope.” But it is too dark for him to see it, or for me to direct it toward him. I quickly use a simple enchantment, “Light! Light now!” I command, and a phosphorescent glow illuminates the pit. What it reveals is more terrifying than anything my imagination could have supplied. The hole deepens into a seemingly bottomless shaft of stone, cut through the earth, with rocky ledges here and there, upon which crouch demons and cursed creatures too dreadful to survive in the light of day. Freddie is clutched by one such being, held fast on a ledge. I see that it is intent on taking him down lower, and I know I must act fast. Maygor’s Silver Thread will only reach so far. Another demon tries to take Freddie, but the first one will not give up his prize willingly, and so is forced to fend it off with a clawed hand. The light seems to trouble them, so that for a few moments I have the advantage.