Chapter 23: Sinner's Gold

Kalann rushed down a stone corridor, the sound of howling echoing behind him. He had followed Laura's example, herding a group of Urts away from the horde to take them down more easily. It was lucky that Urts were so easy to trick. Otherwise, they'd have no chance.

There was a larger room ahead. Panting, Kalann burst into it and looked around. It was a rectangular chamber, held up with carved columns spaced regularly throughout the room. At the far end was a weathered stone throne with a door beside it. The ceiling was arched above him, and torches cast the room in an eerie light. The throne room of Darkwood.

Kalann barely had time to take all this in before the sound of Urtish footsteps began to swell behind him. He spun around, readying his sword. *If I die*, he thought, *it might as well be here.*