"It released that much energy?" Ugotlas asked.

  "Correct," Hamond answered, "As I recall, the flowing energy from releasing the statue left Edeline dazed for a while afterwards."

  The pair of them were back in Takhat's room. They'd spent nearly an hour looking for a private place to discuss their plans, only to realize that wasn't an option. When they returned to ask Captain Takhat about it, she'd been absent, so Hamond reasoned they could just talk about it a bit while they waited for her to return.

  "It would pose a risk if there were some of the afflicted in the area then." Ugotlas rubbed at his face with a massive paw. What meaning there was behind the gesture, Hamond couldn't tell. "Making certain the area is clear of them will be needed."

  Hamond nodded his agreement. While they could protect whoever broke the enchantment, be it Edeline or someone else, it would be so much simpler if that wasn't a concern. It would depend on how quickly they were able to locate the way to the Sluice's statue.

  "To go back to what you mentioned earlier, regarding the minor enchantments you noted placed on the bricks," Ugotlas said, "Are you certain they were not residual energy cast off by the statue?"

  "I...think so." Raw magical energy wouldn't usually remain in a physical object unless set precisely in by an enchantment spell, and even that had its limits. Although if there was a large enough amount of magical energy being sent through the area continuously, it would be possible. Hamond had to admit he hadn't looked too closely, and they'd had more important problems to deal with at the time.

  "We need to know for certain what defenses there might be besides the gigant." Ugotlas rose and started to pace around the table. "If the Sluice is truly hostile and the enchantments alert her that we are approaching, we lose any possible advantage."

  Thinking back harder, Hamond recalled Edeline's theory. "One guess we had was that they were enchantments meant to maintain the sturdiness of the stone blocks that made up the tunnel walls." It wasn't likely to be some way of warning, considering that the Stormsage had possessed the awareness to cast spells aimed at Edeline's dreams. Of course, that was a detail they hadn't mentioned to Ugotlas.

  "That might be true as well," Ugotlas conceded, "If similar spells are at work here, I believe we will want to study them before we descent deeper into whatever location the Sluice is hidden. Hopefully we can convince your captain to give us the necessary time."

  Now that was unlikely to happen. Takhat would insist that they act quickly to stop the threat of additional spells from the Sluice. While being rash could put Edeline and everyone else in greater danger, it would me less to worry about in the long run.

  And if anything was certain, it was that Hamond had spent far too much time worrying recently.

  For now, he'd have to convince Ugotlas. "She has more to worry about than just us. Research can occur later...or do you think your fellow sphinxes already investigated it?"

  "They would have left records if they did," Ugotlas said, "And not your papers or books. We inscribe all important knowledge into stone slabs, which would endure countless years."

  Hamond supposed Ugotlas's endless pride would never change. That aside, it was disappointing that there was nothing to be gained from the Sekhmati research. He would have suggested a second check of wherever they had been working from, but Hamond knew that would just offend Ugotlas.

  "Is it possible they hid them following..." Hamond paused a moment to compose himself. "...following the Witch's escape?"

  "Do you honestly think she would give them that time?"

  Hamond could only shake his head. He'd wanted to avoid the subject of the Witch of Wrath as much as possible. That was difficult when the topic was centered how dangerous she was. Time to shift to something else, then.

  "What do you plan on doing once this matter is settled?" It was the first thing Hamond could think of. At least, the first that didn't involve the Witch of Wrath in some way.

  "That is my concern, not yours. Suffice to say that barring some very strange coincidences, we will part ways at that point." Ugotlas suddenly sniffed the air. "I would say we should focus on more important matters, but we are about to be interrupted."

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  Hamond had half turned toward the doorway when it slammed open. A very irate Captain Takhat strode into the room, muttering under her breath. "...stupid...wait, what are you two doing here?"

  "We couldn't find another private room to discuss the matter of the Sluice," Hamond answered.

  "Well, go find one," Takhat snapped, "I've got a bigger problem to deal with."

  "What would that be?" Hamond asked. It was a safe bet that it was something to do with the barricades.

  "You remember we mentioned Nebtamos?" Takhat scowled, staring off into the air. "That fool said he heard a voice last night at the barricades. Claims he thought it was a trick. Even though I ordered all my men to let survivors in."

  That did line up with what Nela had pointed out. "So that man whose body we found...he hadn't become fully bestial?"

  "I wouldn't say he was still a man. Everything I've seen and heard points to the creatures acting little more than animals. So unless my own eyes, along with all of my men, are telling me lies...no."

  "It would seem to be the most straightforward explanation though," Ugotlas pointed out.

  "It's one of the two things." Takhat walked over to her table, leaning over and staring down at the scattered papers. "Either there was a survivor there that got chased off or killed by that beast, or one of my men is now hearing voices that aren't there. I don't like either possibility."

  There was very little chance it was the latter. And while Hamond couldn't ignore there being more survivors, that didn't seem all that likely either. Some of the creatures maintaining their intelligence had to be considered.

  Takhat didn't seem ready to hear that, though. "Nebtamos is a loyal man, but I have to discipline him if that cost us a survivor. If all this is getting to him, though, I can't."

  "Perhaps I should speak to this man," Hamond offered. It couldn't be any more difficult than convincing Senby.

  "Maybe," Takhat said, "Shit, I'm not fit to think about anything else. You two can stay here for now if you like. I'm going to go spar with Senby for today."

  So he wasn't the only one trying to take his mind off what bothered him. That was comforting to Hamond, as strange as it might appear. Two different problems that they each faced, but they both had the same answer - find another matter to focus their attention on.

  Taking her spear in hand, Takhat left the way she entered, not even bothering to close the door behind her. Hamond walked over and shut it himself, blinking slightly as the sunlight briefly caught his eyes.

  He turned back to see Ugotlas staring at the door. "She is letting her own beliefs get in the way of the truth," the sphinx said.

  "What makes you think that?" Hamond asked.

  "There is no telling as to her reasoning." Ugotlas yawned and stretched. "What matters is that these creatures may hold information on their condition, and through them, information on the Sluice's spells."

  They might be able to describe the exact effects of the spell of their bodies, but Hamond didn't see that as useful. It might be helpful for reversing the spell or caring for any so afflicted, but knowing Ugotlas, the intent was gaining information for their confrontation with the Sluice.

  "You will need to inform your companions to be aware that some of the creatures may not be hostile," Ugotlas said, "Preferably in private, away from that woman."

  So it went back to the Witch of Wrath again. "You don't trust her," Hamond stated.

  "I do believe that she wants to eliminate the threat of the Sluice's spells," Ugotlas replied, "So much so that she would be willing to sacrifice or slay anyone to get closer to that goal."

  "Of course," Hamond said. He couldn't argue that they needed to be prepared for the worst. Even if the topic left him on edge, he could at least pass the message along.

  "Be aware that if it comes to that, I will not be showing any mercy towards her. Nothing you or anyone else can convince me otherwise. It will be our final battle."

  "I suppose I will tell them that as well," Hamond said, holding himself back from gritting his teeth.

  "Ideally, you would." Ugotlas planted himself in a sitting position. "Now let us focus on what spells would be best for what is to come. I would suggest...not another one."

  The door opened again. This time, it was...Merytuya. It was odd, though, as Hamond would have thought she'd been helping Nela.

  "Where is..." Merytuya trailed off on seeing Ugotlas there, eyes growing larger. And larger still. Had she not heard word of the sphinx? Takhat had said she planned on telling everyone, but it was possible a few might have missed the news.

  "I believe we have not met." Ugotlas, for his part, was surprisingly polite for once. "I am Ugotlas of the Sekhmati."

  "What...what is one of those cats doing here?" That politeness was clearly not going to be returned.

  "I am assisting your captain in certain matters. Did you not know of this?" A familiar edge emerged in Ugotlas's voice.

  "What is she even...never mind," Merytuya said, "Where is Captain Takhat, anyway? I need to warn her of something."

  Hamond wondered what that could be, but decided not to push the matter. "You just missed her. She went off to spar with someone. Weapons practice, that sort of thing."

  "Curse my luck!" Without waiting for a response, Merytuya spun and ran right back outside. Once again, Hamond had to walk over and shut the door.

  "Perhaps we should resume our search for a private location to speak," Ugotlas noted, "I suspect more people will come looking for the captain soon."

  "Not sure where we can find one..." Hamond trailed off, an odd idea occurring to him. It wasn't a particularly good one, but with nothing else coming to mind, it might just work. "How good are you at, say, climbing?"

  "I do have some ability. Why?"

  Hamond gave Ugotlas a small smile. He'd have to thank Senby later. "How do you feel about getting up on a rooftop?"

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