The note wasn't very long. It gave a brief introduction to the brave soul who had left the contents of the chest, saying that he left the gauntlets and the key to the person who found the chest. It explained where and how to find the place where the key was used and told about the history and use of the gauntlets, which appeared to be named the Raptor's Claws.
She folded the note back up carefully and slipped it and the key into the bodice of her corset. She shivered as she grew cold, supposing that it was because she stood in a mostly unfurnished stone room wearing only her underwear. She grabbed the gauntlets from the chest and was startled when the cast iron disappeared into dozens of motes of yellow light and vanished as well within seconds.
She turned around as she slipped the gauntlets on, not really surprised to find that she could see through what from the other side had appeared to be a solid rock wall. The surprise came from the now frozen over lava and the twin half arches of ice trailing from the points where the pipe had connected to the wall to the now ice covered floor. Upon seeing this she was glad for the shoes she wore, which were only a little blackened from their near encounter with disaster.
There was a loud crack as the ice began to show the strain of trying to keep the heat contained. From this angle she was able to see a series of small ledges set into the wall on the other side of the ice. Figuring she didn't have much time and not wanting to get stuck in the pit she ran across the ice, sliding a bit on the slick surface, and started to climb. Seeing that she was safe and that she was returning to the top Dante called out to her. "Kira, what happened, are you alright?"
"I'm quite alright thank you. I'll be up and have the platform moving for you in just a moment." True to her word she had reached the top in less than a minute, but before she could grasp the handle of the leaver there was a series of sharp retorts and a grinding rumble from below. A great cloud of steam and a few launched globs of lava came shooting out of the pit and Lea and Dante had to move out of the way to avoid being hit as the molten stone came back down.
When the steam cleared Kira grabbed the leaver and pulling the locking bar pushed it toward the other side. Just below the edge of the platform upon which she stood a segment of the wall slid out and then downward, revealing two holes in the wall. On the other side of the pit directly opposite another section of wall slid open as well revealing another set of holes. Bars as thick as her legs extended from their storage racks beneath her feet until they locked into place, plugged into the holes beneath her friends' feet. The platform began its slow journey across the pit and she looked to her friends.
What she saw on the other side of the pit made her uncomfortably aware that the men were not ignorant of her lack of dress. Out of respect Dante had turned away to avert his gaze. Damien had placed a hand over Lea's eyes while he studiously looked elsewhere. Lea's jaw had dropped open until Dyme had shut his mouth. And as for Dyme himself, he had taken the time at some point to take off his overalls, showing that he had worn a pair of tastelessly yellow shorts underneath and was watching the platform as if it were the only thing that mattered at the moment. He was the first one to ride it across.
When Dyme reached her side of the pit, blushing an entertaining fire engine red, he handed Kira his overalls while still not looking directly in her direction. "My Lady, it would not do for you to take ill before we reach the Council for want of proper clothing. While I realize it isn't proper attire it is all I have to offer. And I'm sure you would be more comfortable traveling through this stupid tower more suitably clothed."
With a tight hug she kissed him on the forehead causing him to turn an even more interesting shade of scarlet. "Thank you Dyme, you are such a gentleman." At this moment Lea stepped off the platform. "You mean such a kiss ass." She slapped him lightly on the shoulder causing him to wince in pain before squeezing herself into the overalls, which were a few sizes too small for her. Allowing the tight, uncompromising material to do some very interesting things to her figure. "It's a good thing I'm not more endowed, or I wouldn't be able to wear this at all. At least it doesn't restrict breathing, or motion too terribly much."
With a wicked gleam in his emerald eyes and still rubbing his shoulder Lea spoke. "Yeah, and it makes your already interesting curves a lot more fun to look at." This earned him a glare from her and Damien's hand around the scruff of his neck. "That is quite enough of that Lea. Or you will shortly find yourself exploring the bottom of the next hole."
With an audible gulp and a nervous laugh Lea answered. "Sure man. No worries. I'm a perfect gentleman." Dante gave a derisive snort. "I'll believe that the day I see it. How many women have shot you down this month?" Dyme interrupted the brewing argument before it truly started. "Guys, come on. This is neither the time nor the place. We still have to get past the palace defenses and Kira has already gone on."
