The sound of quiet footsteps echoed in the ancient stone fort. They crossed the long-standing stone steps, pushed open the dusty stone doors, entered the expansive stone hall, and stopped before an aged slab of stone.
Xiulote halted his steps. He glanced at the stone slab in the hall that had withstood the test of time, the wooden-panel murals, and the artifacts of gold, silver, and jade, and spoke with solemnity.
"Sage Jatili, we have arrived. This is the place in the Royal Palace where the sacred texts are kept."
Jatili nodded gravely. He moved forward eagerly, extending a trembling hand to gently touch these precious relics as if caressing delicately breakable pottery.