(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

cheer. Tucking the disgusting thing into my pack I led the way back to the
surface, where things might not have had a semblance of normality, but at
least there was warmth, food, and a good mattress if we could spare enough
coin.
The feeling that gripped me then was a cold talon curling around my heart,
piercing with terror and haunting like a memory lost to the ages.
And there, to our left, was an old, forgotten gate. Like the sphere it was
utterly unremarkable at a glance, but as I touched it the black metal seemed
chill and unforgiving. It was the echo of a dirge, the face of a forgotten
passer-by. It was a stranger you once knew, the name teasingly coy on the
tip of your tongue.
"Chief...? Chief we have the sphere! What are you doing?"
As I opened the gate, a cold wind rushed forth. I began to shiver as I heard
the sound of a voice whispering, although I couldn't make out what it said.
In a second, it was gone and all was silent... and I realized that I had been
here before, and there was the strong feeling that my companions musn't
follow me in.
"I'm going in alone... Wait out here for me."
"Oh no, chief. No way are you going in there without me! I'm not letting you
run off into some barmy crypt by your lonesome self!"
"I concur," Dak'kon intoned, "I asked to join you so that I might lend my
knowing of these strange lands. I cannot leave you to enter territory
unexplored by any of us on your own."
"Just trust me!" I said sternly, stabbing a finger at the two, "Just stay here
and wait 'till I come back."
"But chief-" Morte protested.
Dak'kon straightened. "As you will," he said smoothly, crossing his arms.
While glad I didn't have to argue further, I was taken aback by Dak'kon's
sudden shift. Did I disappoint him? Was he angry that his disciple would take
such a tone with him? I didn't know, I merely felt ashamed that I would treat
a companion and mentor so.
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