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Uff.... I wasn't so slow writing this chapter fortunately. It's my longest chapter so far, though I did it rather quickly. Maybe I'm getting better at this... Without further talking, let us proceed to the next chapter. Read, enjoy and review !
It was already dusk when the group came back to Lut Gholein, and Melissa quickly helped Arcadio return to the inn. Fortunately, the Paladin wasn't too badly poisoned, and after buying an antidote from Lysander's shop the deaf man assured Melissa that he would be recovered by the morning. Welfor and Sela meanwhile had taken their equipment to the local smith, Fara : the barbarian had his armor slightly damaged when a skeleton hit him in the shoulder with its axe, and Sela wanted to sharpen the tip of her spear, which was almost totally destroyed after all its work in the sewers. After a quick 'farewell' to Welfor, Sela then went to collect her gold from Atma, while Welfor met Melissa in the inn. She was in Arcadio's room watching him sleep.
"How's he ?" asked the northern man, entering the room.
"Nothing to worry about. I gave him the antidote, and he should be healthy tomorrow." she said with a grin.
"Good. We still have to figure what we're going to do now, so he has to get better soon." he watched the Paladin breathing quietly and added "Well he seems alright. Want to get something to eat ? I'm starving !"
"You don't have to, just come to my parents' house and I'll see if they can get us something." Melissa said standing up.
"Are you sure ? I don't want to be a burden to your family." he said frowning.
"Don't worry, it's no problem at all. If they had it their way they'd be feeding you all day long. Moreover they probably are angry with me, and I'd like some backup." the Sorceress said chuckling.
"If you put it that way... Who am I to say no ?"
"Exactly ! Let's go then." As they were about to leave the room, Melissa glanced at Arcadio on last time and commented "He's cute when he sleeps."
"If you think so...." stated Welfor plainly. Smirking he added "At least he isn't moping around like yesterday...."
Melissa blushed "I didn't think he cared that much." she muttered. Welfor just smiled. As they exited the inn Welfor couldn't resist asking.
"Really Melissa why did you change your mind back ? You told me you had to stay with your family." asked the Barbarian.
"Well I.... reevaluated my priorities... I'm a Sorceress after all. I studied magic to fight the Prime Evils actually, so I guessed that's what I had to do.
"But that isn't the only reason is it ?" asked Welfor slyly.
"You know what the other is." said Melissa, her face dark red.
"Maybe. But it's not me you should tell. It's him"
"I know. It just doesn't seem like the right time...With all that trouble and all...." Melissa didn't know what to say next, so she changed subject "What about you Welfor you have family in the northern lands ?"
"A wife and a son. In my town, fifty miles east from mount Arreat."
"You're married ?"Melissa was surprised.
"Why are you so surprised ?" asked Welfor.
"Oh. It's just that you seem so young.
"Thanks" said Welfor grinning. "I'm actually already twenty-six, and most of my countrymen marry at twenty years of age.
"Oh. Then I'd be married already since I'm twenty-one... No thanks, I'm too young." said Melissa resolutely.
"I'm sure someday you will anyway." said Welfor smiling.
They had already spotted Melissa's family's house and knocked on the door. Melchior opened it, and didn't seem very friendly as he invited them to come in. Melampo and Meluvia showed mostly relief of seeing them safe and Meluvia was finishing dinner and invited the Barbarian, assuring him that she always cooked to much food for them to eat anyway. Dinner was normal, though the conversation seemed a bit strained. Melampo and Welfor were doing much of the talking, the boy was curiously asking him about his land, and the Barbarian was glad to tell him whatever he wanted. Melissa had whispered him, asking him not to talk about their adventures in the sewers, and although he didn't understand her motives, he complied. As soon as dinner was over, Melchior cleared his throat.
"Melampo, why don't you show our guest the neighborhood ? Melissa can stay and help with the dishes." he said. Melissa winced, but mouthed to the Barbarian 'go'. Welfor gave her a sympathetic smile, and followed Melampo outside. Melissa sighed. 'Here we go' she thought.
In the headquarters of the mercenaries, Sela was dinning by herself, holding tightly the money she had received from Atma. No matter how moronic she knew the other mercenaries were, they surely had enough brain cells to steal her gold whenever they could. While she watched suspiciously the tables where the other warriors noisily ate, Greiz, the leader of the mercenaries, and unfortunately hers too, entered the room.
"Silence !" he yelled, and all conversations stopped. "Bad news boys, Lord Jerhyn came to me and hired one of you, though I don't know what for. Who wants to go ?." Upon hearing that, the Amazon spotted her chance to get away, even if just for a while from the other mercenaries, and figure out a way to keep her money safe.....
"I'll take it." she said to Greiz before leaving the dinning room, and heading back to her inn.
Meanwhile, in Melissa's house the tempers were flying high....
"We clearly told you not to go there ! What has gotten into you ?" shouted Melchior at his daughter. After having controlled himself as not to involve Welfor in their familial matters, he was now trying to reason Melissa.
"my friends were going down there ! I couldn't let them go alone !" said Melissa unintimidated. Despite her former hesitations to follow Arcadio and Welfor in the sewers, she was now fully convinced she had made the right choice.
"Look where it has gotten them ! One got poisoned, how long before they die ? That's what you want ? To die alongside them ?"
"If that's what it takes, yes !" said Melissa. Meluvia gasped soundly, and dropped the plates she was carrying.
"Please Melissa, try to understand. We care about you, that's why we can't stand the thought of you risking your life..." begged Meluvia.
"I'm sorry mother. But I have to... I spent all these years learning magic, now it's time to use it for its true purpose." said the Sorceress resolutely.
"We let you learn magic help with the defense of our town, but you weren't there when it got destroyed, you were wandering in the West instead !" said Melchior.
"So you think that killing Andariel and freeing the West passage means nothing ?" Melissa was starting to lose her temper as well. "Anyway, whether you like it or not, I am a grown woman, and a Zann Esu. This is my duty." she said, realizing for the first time that she had felt it all along while she was with Arcadio and Welfor fighting in the West."
"Fine. You may do whatever you want, but don't have to approve of your caprices !" said Melchior conclusively.
"I thought so..." said Melissa sighing and exiting the house
Melampo and Welfor were having a good time talking sitting on a bench nearby. Melampo had honestly told the Barbarian that there wasn't actually nothing to see in the neighborhood, and that they were asked to leave only to let Melissa's parents talk to her alone. The northern man accepted it good-naturedly though, but was curious nevertheless to know why their parents were so hostile to the idea of having Melissa fighting demons.
"Frankly, I think they plainly dislike magic. You know how it goes" he said rolling his eyes. "They're from the country. People there aren't really open-minded." he chuckled.
"Then why did they let Melissa learn magic in the first place ?" wondered Welfor.
"I guess they must have thought she could use some spell to make crops grow healthier.... But I suppose the main reason was the subsidy that the Zann Esu give to the novices' families." said Melampo.
"Smart. And I reckon they let you work at that old man's magic shop because he pays you well, isn't it ?"
Melampo sighed. "To be honest, no. They don't know that I'm working at Drognan's shop. I've been telling them I'm working at a carpenter's."
"Oh... You'd better make sure your parents don't find out. Considering the amount of yelling coming from your house..." he then frowned and added "Come to think of it, things seem quiet now."
"Perhaps we ought to head back then..." said Melampo, and as they were walking down the street Welfor spotted Melissa at the far end of it, walking away.
"Melissa ! Hey !" he shouted, but she had already disappeared."Darn." he muttered.
"What's the problem ?" asked Melampo.
"Hmmm... I don't know the way back." said Welfor embarrassed.
Melampo only laughed. "Don't worry big man, I'll show you the way." he said.
The rest of the night was uneventful, and the next morning Arcadio was obviously the first to get up. He went downstairs and was greeted by a very agitated Elzix.
"Good morning master Paladin ! Some palace guards were here and requested your presence at the palace at one o'clock, with the Sorceress and the Barbarian of course...
"Thank you Elzix. Could I have some breakfast now, please ?" said Arcadio still yawning.
"Certainly, certainly...." said Elzix. As he placed some bread and butter on the table next to the entrance door he added, checking that no one was on sight "But you know.... if you're having trouble with the law here, I can find a way for you three to leave town discretely....
"No, I don't think we'll need that. Thanks anyway..." said Arcadio smiling slightly. Although he didn't know the Sultan's reason to call them, he doubted that they were to be arrested. 'Perhaps he'll even allow us to leave to the East....'. Arcadio felt more optimistic than he'd ever been since he arrived in Lut Gholein. His mood only got better as he saw Melissa walking in. She sat next to him, and unceremoniously grabbed some food.
"Good morning to you too." said Arcadio smiling.
"Good morning" grumbled Melissa her mouth full.
"Hey, what's up ?" asked Arcadio worriedly, spotting Melissa's frown.
"Well last night I went home and..." Melissa told him in detail what had happened the night before.
Arcadio couldn't believe it "They were angry at you ?!? If you hadn't drugged me, I could have provided backup." The Paladin still hadn't totally forgiven Melissa for that foul-tasting antidote which had knocked him out for the rest of the evening.
Melissa laughed at Arcadio's over-protective surge "Really Arcadio, I don't need to be protected from my parents."
'At least I made her laugh', thought Arcadio relieved to see Melissa returning to her usual self.
"Besides I've taken my decision, I'll follow you guys anywhere." finished Melissa.
"Really ?" asked Arcadio pleasantly surprised.
"Of course ! What did you think ?" said Melissa warmly, smiling at him. He smiled back, and thery stared at each other for a moment, before Welfor finally joined the pair. Arcadio then told his two companions about the Sultan's request.
"We ought to be going then.... It's already past midday." said Welfor.
"What ?? Wait a second, for how long did I sleep ?" asked Arcadio.
"We exited the sewers around seven yesterday, so you slept roughly sixteen hours." said Welfor, who liked showing his math skills.
"Guess the antidote was stronger than I thought..." said Melissa innocently.
"Either that, or you gave me a sedative instead... I suspected it." said Arcadio as the trio exited the inn.
The three quickly made their way to the palace. It wasn't difficult to find, since its massive golden cupola could be seen from anywhere in Lut Gholein. The guards halted them, and Arcadio explained who they were. They were then shown the way to a large room, which Arcadio presumed was the conference room, where the ministers held weekly reunions. However it was strikingly empty, as only three people stood behind the long conference table, a dark-skinned man, looking no more than thirty years old and clad in elegant blue clothes, and with a turban on his head, who could only be the Sultan, as the two other characters were Deckard Cain, the last of the Horadrim, and Sela the Amazon.
"Greeting honored travelers. I am Jerhyn, Lord of Lut Gholein, and I bid you welcome to my fair port-city. I'm glad to know that once again caravans are free to travel through the Western Pass. For some time now we have been under siege by an evil power that I cannot identify. Strange... It all began when a Dark Wanderer came this way, looking for the Tomb of Tal Rasha. No one knows exactly where Tal Rasha, Keeper of Baal is entombed, but it is certain to be far out in the desert. Now, my people whisper tales of the dead rising from their tombs, and horrible creatures lurking amongst the moonlit dunes. Even I have witnessed things which I cannot explain. I've ordered the port closed and all trade ships moored until I am sure that my city is safe." Jerhyn's speech was swiftly interrupted by Arcadio
"Precisely, your Highness, if I may, I'd like to request your authorization to at least allow me and my friends to go to Kurast. It is of utmost importance that we get there as soon as possible." said Arcadio respectfully, but determined.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. We cannot risk exporting the evil which lurks in our city to our only ally, Kurast. We haven't heard anything from Kurast for some time now, thus I can only hope that they sensed the evil here, and that they took their distances. But I'm afraid they're facing the same or worse predicament than we are..." said Jerhyn thoughtfully.
"But only one ship wouldn't change anything, now would it ?" asked Melissa.
"It's useless, I will not allow any ship to leave for now. Only when the siege is lifted may ships leave Lut Gholein's docks." said Jerhyn strongly.
"But that can last for years..." said Arcadio desperately. Welfor was about to add something, but Deckard Cain was faster.
"Actually, no. This precious document" said the sage flashing them the scroll they had found next to Radament "reveals the location of three artifacts, which can be used to open the legendary tomb of Tal Rasha. If you can find the Tomb of Tal Rasha before Diablo and defeat the Lord of Destruction before he is freed, Diablo will have no choice but to leave Aranoch, and the malevolent energies will dissipate." said Deckard Cain merrily. Apparently, nothing could make him happier than sending people to a certain and painful death."If you manage to join the Staff of Kings with the Viper Amulet inside the Horadric Cube, you will obtain the Horadric Staff, ultimate key to Baal's prison. I have drawn a map for you." The Horadrim gave Arcadio a parchment where indeed could be seen the three artifacts.
"But where is that Tomb in the map ?" asked Welfor, glancing over the Paladin's shoulder.
"As Lord Jerhyn said previously, no one knows where the Tomb of Tal Rasha is. According to Horadric manuscripts there is a canyon somewhere in the desert where one can find seven tombs. One of them is Tal Rasha's one, and is marked with his symbol, though it has been lost for a long time." said Cain regretfully.
Welfor rolled his eyes "Well that's really helpful.... But I guess we have no choice."
"Not really. Especially considering that since you are in Lut Gholein you have to obey my orders. But take it not as an order, but as a favor I am asking to you. I only wish to restore peace to my city. In addition, to help you with your quest I have asked Greiz to put his best mercenary at your disposal. She can guide you through the desert." said Jerhyn, as Sela, who hadn't said a word during the whole conversation flashed them a sly grin.
"I suggest we leave at dusk. The temperatures are cooler during the night, and most demons around here can't see in the dark. Most demons are massed within a few miles of Lut Gholein. If we can get far enough during the night it should make our trip a lot easier." advised Sela.
"Alright... Well thank you anyway your Highness." said Arcadio bowing.
"No, I thank you. You may go now." said Jerhyn gently.
"Oh, Deckard Cain. What's with those names anyway ? 'Halls of the Dead', 'Maggot Lair', 'Viper Temple'...." asked Melissa curiously.
"Oh, these ? I invented them myself. I believe you'll find them most appropriate." said Deckard Cain grinning.
"Thank you anyway your Highness !" mocked Melissa as soon as they were out of the palace. "What were you thinking ? The guy calls us, sends us to a long mission we never agreed to do in the first place, and then kindly asks us to leave. Thank you for nothing, Lord Jerhyn." said Melissa viciously.
"My policy is to do whatever he asks, as that may be the quickest way to get into his favors and be allowed to leave this damned desert." replied Arcadio.
Sela interrupted their discussion "Alright, let's organize this. I'll buy the food and water we'll need, Sorceress, you'll go to Lysander's and buy his strongests sunscreen, Paladin go buy some warm coats for the nights, you should find some in the bazar, and Barbarian buy the four largest bags you can find. We'll all meet here in two hours.
"Right." said Melissa still processing the information "Can't you at least use our names ?"
Sela just smirked as she walked away.
Two hours later, they were meeting again in the main square, and put all their acquisitions in Welfor's bags. Arcadio had bought some camel coats ; there was no denying that they would protect them from the chilly nights, but their stench was nearly unbearable. Sela approved of his choice, saying that it might repel bugs, but Welfor and Melissa dreaded having to put that on. By the time they were ready, the sun was already low in the sky, and Sela suggested they left quickly. And off they went....
They had barely walked two miles when the sun completely disappeared. Luckily the moon was almost full, and provided them light enough. The temperature dropped very quickly, and all had to put on the camel coats. Melissa's protests were silenced by Sela's glare. They had to move silently in order not to be attacked. But they weren't attacked that night, and after walking all night at a fast pace, they had moved far enough from the city. Sela said that they would take refuge in an empty Tomb not far from there.
"Sleeping in a Tomb... that's too close to death to be comfortable." grumbled Melissa. She had an strong aversion for undead after her experience in the Den of Evil. As the first sun rays were appearing over the dunes, they came across the Tomb. They entered it cautiously, Melissa's staff and Sela's spear being again their only sources of light.
"Looks safe." said Welfor.
"Yes. Let's rest here for a bit... We can't continue to walk during the night from now on. I suggest we take a short rest and then continue walking." the others agreed, and Welfor took the first guard turn.
Arcadio was to be the last to take guard, and as he was doing just that, bored out of his mind, he felt a knife being pressed to his neck, and a female voice whispering "Don't speak. Your money, and your friends' now." Arcadio didn't reply instead bringing his elbow to where his assailant's face should be. He hit something and heard a groan of pain.'Gotcha' thought the Paladin as he turned with his sword in hand, ready to take on the thief. The others meanwhile were awakening, and the thief tried running away. However, the Amazon with lightning-speed had grabbed her spear and hit the rogue with the back of it, and as the woman fell, quickly put her foot on top of the thief's chest and pressed the tip of her spear to her neck.
"Talk now. Who are you ?" asked Sela harshly.
The woman smiled and then... disappeared ! She reappeared at the other side of the room."I apologize, I thought you were Evil's followers, but I am no thief." she said with an enigmatic smile.
"Then who the hell are you ?" said Arcadio still rubbing his sore neck.
"I am just a solitary tomb looter." she said calmly, and without the slightest apologetical tone. She was totally dressed in black, and Arcadio could understand why he hadn't seen her coming in the gloom of the Tomb. Her hair was black, and her eyes too, though her skin was of a very pale color, which contrasted with the darkness of her clothes. She had a knife in each hand, and apparently a dozen more hanging from different parts of her armor. Arcadio guessed she was one of the Khral-Harzek clan he'd been warned about, mostly known as Assassins.
"Doesn't sound like a good enough explanation to me !" said the Amazon still holding her spear threateningly.
The Assassin shrugged and asked "And who are you ? There aren't many people here usually..."
"We are here to find the Tomb of Tal Rasha, and slay Baal." said Melissa.
"No, fool ! She is probably serving Diablo and you tell us what our intentions are ?" shouted Sela.
"Calm down, Sela. It's clear she's an Assassin, and although they are filthy weasels they would never serve Evil" said Melissa confidently.
The Assassin smiled at the Sorceress's words. "Indeed, I am no demon, and all of this was just a regrettable mistake. Let's put this behind us."
"No problem... I guess a demon would have fled by now anyway." said Welfor scratching his head.
"You are going to the Tomb of Tal Rasha you say ? There must be good loot there... I'm coming with you." said the Asssassin.
"No way !" shouted Sela.
The Assassin laughed and simply stated "I could follow you without you knowing anyway... You'll watch me easier if I stand close."
"She's right." said Arcadio lowering his sword for the first time. "But if you betray us." he made a warning swift motion with his sword. The Assassin simply smiled.
"Fine. But we'll keep watching you." said Sela reluctantly.
"Thanks." said the Assassin.
"Let's get going then." said Sela, and they were walking again.
It was still daytime as they exited the Tomb. Sela had told them that they had to reach the Halls of the Dead before nightfall. Meanwhile they were walking in the scorching sand, and now Melissa could understand why she had had to buy sunscreen. Welfor and Sela, with their pale skin had to be very careful with the aggressive sunshine. Melissa kept herself cool with her ice armor, and her companions tried to stay close to her. Except of course for the Assassin, who had introduced herself as Slaylie, and who seemed completely indifferent to the heat. They had been walking for quite some time when Sela suddenly whispered.
"I hear something. Silence." Melissa turned to make sure that Slaylie had heard, but she had disappeared.
"She's gone." said Melissa to the others. Before any of them could say anything they heard a dying cry from the other side of a massive dune, that couldn't come from any human being. When they went to check it out, they could see a group of Saber Cats, feline creatures wearing armors and carrying whips, looking suspiciously around as one of them lay dead, a dagger impaled in its chest. Suddenly another dagger appeared from nowhere and another of the creatures fell dead. The heroes were so surprised, that they forgot to hide, and the Saber Cats spotted them. They rushed to attack them, but were no match for the combined power of the four, with the aid of Slaylie who dismissed her magical cloak, and attacked straight-forwardly the beasts with her katars. When the battle was over, Sela turned to the Assassin.
"What were you thinking ?! We could have passed without their spotting us !
"I could for sure. You... I don't know." said Slaylie slyly "Besides, they were carrying a nice amount of gold."
"We're not here to get gold !" shouted Sela.
"They're not." replied Sela pointing at Melissa, Welfor and Arcadio. "I am, and so are you, since you're a mercenary." Sela had no reply to that, and just told the others to resume walking.
"Truth hurts." smirked Slaylie.
"She's short-tempered, but she's not that bad, once you stop being on her death list." said Melissa sympathetically, seeing that the Amazon couldn't hear her. "And she is really a formidable fighter, so having her for free to help us is really a blessing."
"I suppose so..." said the Assassin mysteriously. Welfor meanwhile was again cursing against the heat.
"Here we are." stated Sela, has they stood in front of a massive construction, much bigger than the Tomb where they had been that morning. The sun was already setting, but the temperature hadn't really dropped yet, much to Welfor's irritation. He was the first to enter the cool Tomb, and sighed in relief. When the others joined him, they realized that they were in a huge square empty room, with one door on each side of it.
"Well... which way ?" said Melissa approaching one of the doors. Slaylie examined each door closely and said while examining the one on their left.
"This one is the one which is opened more frequently. It's likely that the Cube is here."
"How do you know of the Cube anyway ? We never told you about it." asked Arcadio suspiciously. He was, after Sela, the more reluctant to let the Assassin join them, as he hadn't forgotten her knife pressed on his neck.
"I've plundered this Tomb before." she said shrugging. "But I wasn't looking for the Cube..." she said. Before any of them could ask more she opened the door, a simple stone panel which slid to let her in, and went in.
"We'd better be careful. There's a lot we don't know about her... And I doubt she is just a plunderer." whispered Arcadio to Melissa and Welfor. Sela had followed the Assassin in the other room, refusing to leave her alone even for a second. The three others joined the two women, who were in front of another door.
"Demons lurk behind this one." whispered Slaylie.
"What are we waiting for then ?" said Sela, opening it. Countless living skeletons came in their direction, and while Slaylie disappeared in her cloak of shadows, Arcadio, Sela and Welfor engaged the undead in melee combat, and Melissa assisted them with her spells. She had been testing her lightning attack for some time now, but still had some trouble aiming.
"Ouch, that hurt Melissa." shouted Arcadio as a bolt of lightning hit him.
"Sorry !" said Melissa, correcting her mistake by killing the skeleton in front of him. They were weak and vulnerable, but more kept coming. Welfor was almost sure something was reviving them, and he hoped Slaylie was taking care of it, because they couldn't go forward, as the undead blocked their path. Indeed, after a short time, the skeletons were all dead, and the four could see the Assassin standing near the corpse of three dead great mommies. She was, as usual, collecting gold. The rest of the Halls of the Dead were pretty much the same, and as Slaylie efficiently dispatched the reviving mommies hid by her cloak of shadows, the four others took care of the undead.
After two hours, and some ten similar rooms of fighting, they came across a complexly decorated door. "Must be there." said Melissa, who was always the first to state the obvious.
"This requires some thought. There's probably an enchanted monster in there, so we'd better attract everything out of that room." advised Sela. Slaylie said she would open the door, and as she did she threw some small objects on the ground inside the room. As she ran back to join the group a massive explosion of fire could be heard, as well as the moaning of pain of the demons inside.
Slaylie laughed quietly. "My fire trap always gets them." They had no time to rejoice further as a extremely fast group of Saber Cats rushed to them. However, they were much stronger than the ones they'd killed in the desert. Arcadio was facing two at a time, and had to shield quickly to avoid being wounded by the whips of his opponents. Welfor, assisted by Melissa had already killed one, and was now struggling with two others, while Slaylie kicked one of the Cats hardly in the chest sending it to the ground and then tearing it to pieces with her katars. She then cursed silently as she felt a sharp pain on her shoulder. She'd been hit. Sela had killed one too, and as she used her spear to block an incoming attack, she saw another Saber Cat, apparently their leader considering its elaborated armor, joining its minions in the fight. She tried to warn her companions but was violently thrown aside by the boss and went flying to the back of the room. That proved to be warning enough, as Melissa froze it with a ice shot, and Welfor rushed to challenge it. The monster proved to be too fast, as it ducked the Barbarian's axes and hit him with a whip on his arm. Welfor dropped one of his axes in surprise, but recovered quickly, and hit the boss with his other axe. Arcadio had finished off his minions, and hit it with his sword as a fire bolt wounded the monster further. It was Sela however who killed it, impaling it on her spear.
"Everyone alright ?" asked Arcadio as soon as the fighting was over.
"I'm okay." said Slaylie rubbing her shoulder. Welfor too wasn't badly wounded, and they entered finally the main room. Piles of burnt bones on the ground proved that the Assassin's trap hadn't been in vain. The Cube was on an altar in the center of the room. Arcadio grabbed it and packed it on his bag.
"Okay... Next step, the Maggot Lair." said Sela. And after sleeping in the now empty Tomb, they left the next morning, heading to the Far Oasis.
Any suggestions, corrections or criticisms are welcome.... Hence, please review !
Uff.... I wasn't so slow writing this chapter fortunately. It's my longest chapter so far, though I did it rather quickly. Maybe I'm getting better at this... Without further talking, let us proceed to the next chapter. Read, enjoy and review !
It was already dusk when the group came back to Lut Gholein, and Melissa quickly helped Arcadio return to the inn. Fortunately, the Paladin wasn't too badly poisoned, and after buying an antidote from Lysander's shop the deaf man assured Melissa that he would be recovered by the morning. Welfor and Sela meanwhile had taken their equipment to the local smith, Fara : the barbarian had his armor slightly damaged when a skeleton hit him in the shoulder with its axe, and Sela wanted to sharpen the tip of her spear, which was almost totally destroyed after all its work in the sewers. After a quick 'farewell' to Welfor, Sela then went to collect her gold from Atma, while Welfor met Melissa in the inn. She was in Arcadio's room watching him sleep.
"How's he ?" asked the northern man, entering the room.
"Nothing to worry about. I gave him the antidote, and he should be healthy tomorrow." she said with a grin.
"Good. We still have to figure what we're going to do now, so he has to get better soon." he watched the Paladin breathing quietly and added "Well he seems alright. Want to get something to eat ? I'm starving !"
"You don't have to, just come to my parents' house and I'll see if they can get us something." Melissa said standing up.
"Are you sure ? I don't want to be a burden to your family." he said frowning.
"Don't worry, it's no problem at all. If they had it their way they'd be feeding you all day long. Moreover they probably are angry with me, and I'd like some backup." the Sorceress said chuckling.
"If you put it that way... Who am I to say no ?"
"Exactly ! Let's go then." As they were about to leave the room, Melissa glanced at Arcadio on last time and commented "He's cute when he sleeps."
"If you think so...." stated Welfor plainly. Smirking he added "At least he isn't moping around like yesterday...."
Melissa blushed "I didn't think he cared that much." she muttered. Welfor just smiled. As they exited the inn Welfor couldn't resist asking.
"Really Melissa why did you change your mind back ? You told me you had to stay with your family." asked the Barbarian.
"Well I.... reevaluated my priorities... I'm a Sorceress after all. I studied magic to fight the Prime Evils actually, so I guessed that's what I had to do.
"But that isn't the only reason is it ?" asked Welfor slyly.
"You know what the other is." said Melissa, her face dark red.
"Maybe. But it's not me you should tell. It's him"
"I know. It just doesn't seem like the right time...With all that trouble and all...." Melissa didn't know what to say next, so she changed subject "What about you Welfor you have family in the northern lands ?"
"A wife and a son. In my town, fifty miles east from mount Arreat."
"You're married ?"Melissa was surprised.
"Why are you so surprised ?" asked Welfor.
"Oh. It's just that you seem so young.
"Thanks" said Welfor grinning. "I'm actually already twenty-six, and most of my countrymen marry at twenty years of age.
"Oh. Then I'd be married already since I'm twenty-one... No thanks, I'm too young." said Melissa resolutely.
"I'm sure someday you will anyway." said Welfor smiling.
They had already spotted Melissa's family's house and knocked on the door. Melchior opened it, and didn't seem very friendly as he invited them to come in. Melampo and Meluvia showed mostly relief of seeing them safe and Meluvia was finishing dinner and invited the Barbarian, assuring him that she always cooked to much food for them to eat anyway. Dinner was normal, though the conversation seemed a bit strained. Melampo and Welfor were doing much of the talking, the boy was curiously asking him about his land, and the Barbarian was glad to tell him whatever he wanted. Melissa had whispered him, asking him not to talk about their adventures in the sewers, and although he didn't understand her motives, he complied. As soon as dinner was over, Melchior cleared his throat.
"Melampo, why don't you show our guest the neighborhood ? Melissa can stay and help with the dishes." he said. Melissa winced, but mouthed to the Barbarian 'go'. Welfor gave her a sympathetic smile, and followed Melampo outside. Melissa sighed. 'Here we go' she thought.
In the headquarters of the mercenaries, Sela was dinning by herself, holding tightly the money she had received from Atma. No matter how moronic she knew the other mercenaries were, they surely had enough brain cells to steal her gold whenever they could. While she watched suspiciously the tables where the other warriors noisily ate, Greiz, the leader of the mercenaries, and unfortunately hers too, entered the room.
"Silence !" he yelled, and all conversations stopped. "Bad news boys, Lord Jerhyn came to me and hired one of you, though I don't know what for. Who wants to go ?." Upon hearing that, the Amazon spotted her chance to get away, even if just for a while from the other mercenaries, and figure out a way to keep her money safe.....
"I'll take it." she said to Greiz before leaving the dinning room, and heading back to her inn.
Meanwhile, in Melissa's house the tempers were flying high....
"We clearly told you not to go there ! What has gotten into you ?" shouted Melchior at his daughter. After having controlled himself as not to involve Welfor in their familial matters, he was now trying to reason Melissa.
"my friends were going down there ! I couldn't let them go alone !" said Melissa unintimidated. Despite her former hesitations to follow Arcadio and Welfor in the sewers, she was now fully convinced she had made the right choice.
"Look where it has gotten them ! One got poisoned, how long before they die ? That's what you want ? To die alongside them ?"
"If that's what it takes, yes !" said Melissa. Meluvia gasped soundly, and dropped the plates she was carrying.
"Please Melissa, try to understand. We care about you, that's why we can't stand the thought of you risking your life..." begged Meluvia.
"I'm sorry mother. But I have to... I spent all these years learning magic, now it's time to use it for its true purpose." said the Sorceress resolutely.
"We let you learn magic help with the defense of our town, but you weren't there when it got destroyed, you were wandering in the West instead !" said Melchior.
"So you think that killing Andariel and freeing the West passage means nothing ?" Melissa was starting to lose her temper as well. "Anyway, whether you like it or not, I am a grown woman, and a Zann Esu. This is my duty." she said, realizing for the first time that she had felt it all along while she was with Arcadio and Welfor fighting in the West."
"Fine. You may do whatever you want, but don't have to approve of your caprices !" said Melchior conclusively.
"I thought so..." said Melissa sighing and exiting the house
Melampo and Welfor were having a good time talking sitting on a bench nearby. Melampo had honestly told the Barbarian that there wasn't actually nothing to see in the neighborhood, and that they were asked to leave only to let Melissa's parents talk to her alone. The northern man accepted it good-naturedly though, but was curious nevertheless to know why their parents were so hostile to the idea of having Melissa fighting demons.
"Frankly, I think they plainly dislike magic. You know how it goes" he said rolling his eyes. "They're from the country. People there aren't really open-minded." he chuckled.
"Then why did they let Melissa learn magic in the first place ?" wondered Welfor.
"I guess they must have thought she could use some spell to make crops grow healthier.... But I suppose the main reason was the subsidy that the Zann Esu give to the novices' families." said Melampo.
"Smart. And I reckon they let you work at that old man's magic shop because he pays you well, isn't it ?"
Melampo sighed. "To be honest, no. They don't know that I'm working at Drognan's shop. I've been telling them I'm working at a carpenter's."
"Oh... You'd better make sure your parents don't find out. Considering the amount of yelling coming from your house..." he then frowned and added "Come to think of it, things seem quiet now."
"Perhaps we ought to head back then..." said Melampo, and as they were walking down the street Welfor spotted Melissa at the far end of it, walking away.
"Melissa ! Hey !" he shouted, but she had already disappeared."Darn." he muttered.
"What's the problem ?" asked Melampo.
"Hmmm... I don't know the way back." said Welfor embarrassed.
Melampo only laughed. "Don't worry big man, I'll show you the way." he said.
The rest of the night was uneventful, and the next morning Arcadio was obviously the first to get up. He went downstairs and was greeted by a very agitated Elzix.
"Good morning master Paladin ! Some palace guards were here and requested your presence at the palace at one o'clock, with the Sorceress and the Barbarian of course...
"Thank you Elzix. Could I have some breakfast now, please ?" said Arcadio still yawning.
"Certainly, certainly...." said Elzix. As he placed some bread and butter on the table next to the entrance door he added, checking that no one was on sight "But you know.... if you're having trouble with the law here, I can find a way for you three to leave town discretely....
"No, I don't think we'll need that. Thanks anyway..." said Arcadio smiling slightly. Although he didn't know the Sultan's reason to call them, he doubted that they were to be arrested. 'Perhaps he'll even allow us to leave to the East....'. Arcadio felt more optimistic than he'd ever been since he arrived in Lut Gholein. His mood only got better as he saw Melissa walking in. She sat next to him, and unceremoniously grabbed some food.
"Good morning to you too." said Arcadio smiling.
"Good morning" grumbled Melissa her mouth full.
"Hey, what's up ?" asked Arcadio worriedly, spotting Melissa's frown.
"Well last night I went home and..." Melissa told him in detail what had happened the night before.
Arcadio couldn't believe it "They were angry at you ?!? If you hadn't drugged me, I could have provided backup." The Paladin still hadn't totally forgiven Melissa for that foul-tasting antidote which had knocked him out for the rest of the evening.
Melissa laughed at Arcadio's over-protective surge "Really Arcadio, I don't need to be protected from my parents."
'At least I made her laugh', thought Arcadio relieved to see Melissa returning to her usual self.
"Besides I've taken my decision, I'll follow you guys anywhere." finished Melissa.
"Really ?" asked Arcadio pleasantly surprised.
"Of course ! What did you think ?" said Melissa warmly, smiling at him. He smiled back, and thery stared at each other for a moment, before Welfor finally joined the pair. Arcadio then told his two companions about the Sultan's request.
"We ought to be going then.... It's already past midday." said Welfor.
"What ?? Wait a second, for how long did I sleep ?" asked Arcadio.
"We exited the sewers around seven yesterday, so you slept roughly sixteen hours." said Welfor, who liked showing his math skills.
"Guess the antidote was stronger than I thought..." said Melissa innocently.
"Either that, or you gave me a sedative instead... I suspected it." said Arcadio as the trio exited the inn.
The three quickly made their way to the palace. It wasn't difficult to find, since its massive golden cupola could be seen from anywhere in Lut Gholein. The guards halted them, and Arcadio explained who they were. They were then shown the way to a large room, which Arcadio presumed was the conference room, where the ministers held weekly reunions. However it was strikingly empty, as only three people stood behind the long conference table, a dark-skinned man, looking no more than thirty years old and clad in elegant blue clothes, and with a turban on his head, who could only be the Sultan, as the two other characters were Deckard Cain, the last of the Horadrim, and Sela the Amazon.
"Greeting honored travelers. I am Jerhyn, Lord of Lut Gholein, and I bid you welcome to my fair port-city. I'm glad to know that once again caravans are free to travel through the Western Pass. For some time now we have been under siege by an evil power that I cannot identify. Strange... It all began when a Dark Wanderer came this way, looking for the Tomb of Tal Rasha. No one knows exactly where Tal Rasha, Keeper of Baal is entombed, but it is certain to be far out in the desert. Now, my people whisper tales of the dead rising from their tombs, and horrible creatures lurking amongst the moonlit dunes. Even I have witnessed things which I cannot explain. I've ordered the port closed and all trade ships moored until I am sure that my city is safe." Jerhyn's speech was swiftly interrupted by Arcadio
"Precisely, your Highness, if I may, I'd like to request your authorization to at least allow me and my friends to go to Kurast. It is of utmost importance that we get there as soon as possible." said Arcadio respectfully, but determined.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. We cannot risk exporting the evil which lurks in our city to our only ally, Kurast. We haven't heard anything from Kurast for some time now, thus I can only hope that they sensed the evil here, and that they took their distances. But I'm afraid they're facing the same or worse predicament than we are..." said Jerhyn thoughtfully.
"But only one ship wouldn't change anything, now would it ?" asked Melissa.
"It's useless, I will not allow any ship to leave for now. Only when the siege is lifted may ships leave Lut Gholein's docks." said Jerhyn strongly.
"But that can last for years..." said Arcadio desperately. Welfor was about to add something, but Deckard Cain was faster.
"Actually, no. This precious document" said the sage flashing them the scroll they had found next to Radament "reveals the location of three artifacts, which can be used to open the legendary tomb of Tal Rasha. If you can find the Tomb of Tal Rasha before Diablo and defeat the Lord of Destruction before he is freed, Diablo will have no choice but to leave Aranoch, and the malevolent energies will dissipate." said Deckard Cain merrily. Apparently, nothing could make him happier than sending people to a certain and painful death."If you manage to join the Staff of Kings with the Viper Amulet inside the Horadric Cube, you will obtain the Horadric Staff, ultimate key to Baal's prison. I have drawn a map for you." The Horadrim gave Arcadio a parchment where indeed could be seen the three artifacts.
"But where is that Tomb in the map ?" asked Welfor, glancing over the Paladin's shoulder.
"As Lord Jerhyn said previously, no one knows where the Tomb of Tal Rasha is. According to Horadric manuscripts there is a canyon somewhere in the desert where one can find seven tombs. One of them is Tal Rasha's one, and is marked with his symbol, though it has been lost for a long time." said Cain regretfully.
Welfor rolled his eyes "Well that's really helpful.... But I guess we have no choice."
"Not really. Especially considering that since you are in Lut Gholein you have to obey my orders. But take it not as an order, but as a favor I am asking to you. I only wish to restore peace to my city. In addition, to help you with your quest I have asked Greiz to put his best mercenary at your disposal. She can guide you through the desert." said Jerhyn, as Sela, who hadn't said a word during the whole conversation flashed them a sly grin.
"I suggest we leave at dusk. The temperatures are cooler during the night, and most demons around here can't see in the dark. Most demons are massed within a few miles of Lut Gholein. If we can get far enough during the night it should make our trip a lot easier." advised Sela.
"Alright... Well thank you anyway your Highness." said Arcadio bowing.
"No, I thank you. You may go now." said Jerhyn gently.
"Oh, Deckard Cain. What's with those names anyway ? 'Halls of the Dead', 'Maggot Lair', 'Viper Temple'...." asked Melissa curiously.
"Oh, these ? I invented them myself. I believe you'll find them most appropriate." said Deckard Cain grinning.
"Thank you anyway your Highness !" mocked Melissa as soon as they were out of the palace. "What were you thinking ? The guy calls us, sends us to a long mission we never agreed to do in the first place, and then kindly asks us to leave. Thank you for nothing, Lord Jerhyn." said Melissa viciously.
"My policy is to do whatever he asks, as that may be the quickest way to get into his favors and be allowed to leave this damned desert." replied Arcadio.
Sela interrupted their discussion "Alright, let's organize this. I'll buy the food and water we'll need, Sorceress, you'll go to Lysander's and buy his strongests sunscreen, Paladin go buy some warm coats for the nights, you should find some in the bazar, and Barbarian buy the four largest bags you can find. We'll all meet here in two hours.
"Right." said Melissa still processing the information "Can't you at least use our names ?"
Sela just smirked as she walked away.
Two hours later, they were meeting again in the main square, and put all their acquisitions in Welfor's bags. Arcadio had bought some camel coats ; there was no denying that they would protect them from the chilly nights, but their stench was nearly unbearable. Sela approved of his choice, saying that it might repel bugs, but Welfor and Melissa dreaded having to put that on. By the time they were ready, the sun was already low in the sky, and Sela suggested they left quickly. And off they went....
They had barely walked two miles when the sun completely disappeared. Luckily the moon was almost full, and provided them light enough. The temperature dropped very quickly, and all had to put on the camel coats. Melissa's protests were silenced by Sela's glare. They had to move silently in order not to be attacked. But they weren't attacked that night, and after walking all night at a fast pace, they had moved far enough from the city. Sela said that they would take refuge in an empty Tomb not far from there.
"Sleeping in a Tomb... that's too close to death to be comfortable." grumbled Melissa. She had an strong aversion for undead after her experience in the Den of Evil. As the first sun rays were appearing over the dunes, they came across the Tomb. They entered it cautiously, Melissa's staff and Sela's spear being again their only sources of light.
"Looks safe." said Welfor.
"Yes. Let's rest here for a bit... We can't continue to walk during the night from now on. I suggest we take a short rest and then continue walking." the others agreed, and Welfor took the first guard turn.
Arcadio was to be the last to take guard, and as he was doing just that, bored out of his mind, he felt a knife being pressed to his neck, and a female voice whispering "Don't speak. Your money, and your friends' now." Arcadio didn't reply instead bringing his elbow to where his assailant's face should be. He hit something and heard a groan of pain.'Gotcha' thought the Paladin as he turned with his sword in hand, ready to take on the thief. The others meanwhile were awakening, and the thief tried running away. However, the Amazon with lightning-speed had grabbed her spear and hit the rogue with the back of it, and as the woman fell, quickly put her foot on top of the thief's chest and pressed the tip of her spear to her neck.
"Talk now. Who are you ?" asked Sela harshly.
The woman smiled and then... disappeared ! She reappeared at the other side of the room."I apologize, I thought you were Evil's followers, but I am no thief." she said with an enigmatic smile.
"Then who the hell are you ?" said Arcadio still rubbing his sore neck.
"I am just a solitary tomb looter." she said calmly, and without the slightest apologetical tone. She was totally dressed in black, and Arcadio could understand why he hadn't seen her coming in the gloom of the Tomb. Her hair was black, and her eyes too, though her skin was of a very pale color, which contrasted with the darkness of her clothes. She had a knife in each hand, and apparently a dozen more hanging from different parts of her armor. Arcadio guessed she was one of the Khral-Harzek clan he'd been warned about, mostly known as Assassins.
"Doesn't sound like a good enough explanation to me !" said the Amazon still holding her spear threateningly.
The Assassin shrugged and asked "And who are you ? There aren't many people here usually..."
"We are here to find the Tomb of Tal Rasha, and slay Baal." said Melissa.
"No, fool ! She is probably serving Diablo and you tell us what our intentions are ?" shouted Sela.
"Calm down, Sela. It's clear she's an Assassin, and although they are filthy weasels they would never serve Evil" said Melissa confidently.
The Assassin smiled at the Sorceress's words. "Indeed, I am no demon, and all of this was just a regrettable mistake. Let's put this behind us."
"No problem... I guess a demon would have fled by now anyway." said Welfor scratching his head.
"You are going to the Tomb of Tal Rasha you say ? There must be good loot there... I'm coming with you." said the Asssassin.
"No way !" shouted Sela.
The Assassin laughed and simply stated "I could follow you without you knowing anyway... You'll watch me easier if I stand close."
"She's right." said Arcadio lowering his sword for the first time. "But if you betray us." he made a warning swift motion with his sword. The Assassin simply smiled.
"Fine. But we'll keep watching you." said Sela reluctantly.
"Thanks." said the Assassin.
"Let's get going then." said Sela, and they were walking again.
It was still daytime as they exited the Tomb. Sela had told them that they had to reach the Halls of the Dead before nightfall. Meanwhile they were walking in the scorching sand, and now Melissa could understand why she had had to buy sunscreen. Welfor and Sela, with their pale skin had to be very careful with the aggressive sunshine. Melissa kept herself cool with her ice armor, and her companions tried to stay close to her. Except of course for the Assassin, who had introduced herself as Slaylie, and who seemed completely indifferent to the heat. They had been walking for quite some time when Sela suddenly whispered.
"I hear something. Silence." Melissa turned to make sure that Slaylie had heard, but she had disappeared.
"She's gone." said Melissa to the others. Before any of them could say anything they heard a dying cry from the other side of a massive dune, that couldn't come from any human being. When they went to check it out, they could see a group of Saber Cats, feline creatures wearing armors and carrying whips, looking suspiciously around as one of them lay dead, a dagger impaled in its chest. Suddenly another dagger appeared from nowhere and another of the creatures fell dead. The heroes were so surprised, that they forgot to hide, and the Saber Cats spotted them. They rushed to attack them, but were no match for the combined power of the four, with the aid of Slaylie who dismissed her magical cloak, and attacked straight-forwardly the beasts with her katars. When the battle was over, Sela turned to the Assassin.
"What were you thinking ?! We could have passed without their spotting us !
"I could for sure. You... I don't know." said Slaylie slyly "Besides, they were carrying a nice amount of gold."
"We're not here to get gold !" shouted Sela.
"They're not." replied Sela pointing at Melissa, Welfor and Arcadio. "I am, and so are you, since you're a mercenary." Sela had no reply to that, and just told the others to resume walking.
"Truth hurts." smirked Slaylie.
"She's short-tempered, but she's not that bad, once you stop being on her death list." said Melissa sympathetically, seeing that the Amazon couldn't hear her. "And she is really a formidable fighter, so having her for free to help us is really a blessing."
"I suppose so..." said the Assassin mysteriously. Welfor meanwhile was again cursing against the heat.
"Here we are." stated Sela, has they stood in front of a massive construction, much bigger than the Tomb where they had been that morning. The sun was already setting, but the temperature hadn't really dropped yet, much to Welfor's irritation. He was the first to enter the cool Tomb, and sighed in relief. When the others joined him, they realized that they were in a huge square empty room, with one door on each side of it.
"Well... which way ?" said Melissa approaching one of the doors. Slaylie examined each door closely and said while examining the one on their left.
"This one is the one which is opened more frequently. It's likely that the Cube is here."
"How do you know of the Cube anyway ? We never told you about it." asked Arcadio suspiciously. He was, after Sela, the more reluctant to let the Assassin join them, as he hadn't forgotten her knife pressed on his neck.
"I've plundered this Tomb before." she said shrugging. "But I wasn't looking for the Cube..." she said. Before any of them could ask more she opened the door, a simple stone panel which slid to let her in, and went in.
"We'd better be careful. There's a lot we don't know about her... And I doubt she is just a plunderer." whispered Arcadio to Melissa and Welfor. Sela had followed the Assassin in the other room, refusing to leave her alone even for a second. The three others joined the two women, who were in front of another door.
"Demons lurk behind this one." whispered Slaylie.
"What are we waiting for then ?" said Sela, opening it. Countless living skeletons came in their direction, and while Slaylie disappeared in her cloak of shadows, Arcadio, Sela and Welfor engaged the undead in melee combat, and Melissa assisted them with her spells. She had been testing her lightning attack for some time now, but still had some trouble aiming.
"Ouch, that hurt Melissa." shouted Arcadio as a bolt of lightning hit him.
"Sorry !" said Melissa, correcting her mistake by killing the skeleton in front of him. They were weak and vulnerable, but more kept coming. Welfor was almost sure something was reviving them, and he hoped Slaylie was taking care of it, because they couldn't go forward, as the undead blocked their path. Indeed, after a short time, the skeletons were all dead, and the four could see the Assassin standing near the corpse of three dead great mommies. She was, as usual, collecting gold. The rest of the Halls of the Dead were pretty much the same, and as Slaylie efficiently dispatched the reviving mommies hid by her cloak of shadows, the four others took care of the undead.
After two hours, and some ten similar rooms of fighting, they came across a complexly decorated door. "Must be there." said Melissa, who was always the first to state the obvious.
"This requires some thought. There's probably an enchanted monster in there, so we'd better attract everything out of that room." advised Sela. Slaylie said she would open the door, and as she did she threw some small objects on the ground inside the room. As she ran back to join the group a massive explosion of fire could be heard, as well as the moaning of pain of the demons inside.
Slaylie laughed quietly. "My fire trap always gets them." They had no time to rejoice further as a extremely fast group of Saber Cats rushed to them. However, they were much stronger than the ones they'd killed in the desert. Arcadio was facing two at a time, and had to shield quickly to avoid being wounded by the whips of his opponents. Welfor, assisted by Melissa had already killed one, and was now struggling with two others, while Slaylie kicked one of the Cats hardly in the chest sending it to the ground and then tearing it to pieces with her katars. She then cursed silently as she felt a sharp pain on her shoulder. She'd been hit. Sela had killed one too, and as she used her spear to block an incoming attack, she saw another Saber Cat, apparently their leader considering its elaborated armor, joining its minions in the fight. She tried to warn her companions but was violently thrown aside by the boss and went flying to the back of the room. That proved to be warning enough, as Melissa froze it with a ice shot, and Welfor rushed to challenge it. The monster proved to be too fast, as it ducked the Barbarian's axes and hit him with a whip on his arm. Welfor dropped one of his axes in surprise, but recovered quickly, and hit the boss with his other axe. Arcadio had finished off his minions, and hit it with his sword as a fire bolt wounded the monster further. It was Sela however who killed it, impaling it on her spear.
"Everyone alright ?" asked Arcadio as soon as the fighting was over.
"I'm okay." said Slaylie rubbing her shoulder. Welfor too wasn't badly wounded, and they entered finally the main room. Piles of burnt bones on the ground proved that the Assassin's trap hadn't been in vain. The Cube was on an altar in the center of the room. Arcadio grabbed it and packed it on his bag.
"Okay... Next step, the Maggot Lair." said Sela. And after sleeping in the now empty Tomb, they left the next morning, heading to the Far Oasis.
Any suggestions, corrections or criticisms are welcome.... Hence, please review !