Jory slid silently along the wall, staying in the shadows. He heard the sentries in the distance and knew he only had another moment to find the door that Cal had left open for him and slip into the house. As he rounded the corner and slipped into the open door, he heard breathing in the darkness.

“You won’t get away with this, you know.”

Jory heard his brother’s voice from the darkness across the room.

“I have to try,” said Jory in response.

“I know, but it will take a miracle from the gods.”

“He has to pay.”

“Up the stairs to the left, last door on the right.”

Jory crept from the study. He followed the landmarks his brother had provided, finding his way to the stairs, stepping over the eighth step as instructed (Cal said it squeaked). At the top of the stairs, he turned left, following the hallway to the last door.

He checked the door for traps, finding none. Strange.

Quietly, Jory turned the door handle, swinging the door open. He stepped into the room and a blast of mage fire engulfed his body. As his life departed, he heard his brother’s voice.

“I told you, you wouldn’t get away with this.”