### 17

From an archway at the far end of this marble chamber, the murmur of distant voices is carried along by a cool breeze. Stealthily you explore this arch and the dark passageway that lies beyond. It leads to a shaft where you descend by slope and stair to what appears, at first, to be a dead end. However, your Kai Sixth Sense quickly determines that the seemingly blank walls at the base of the shaft conceal a secret door. You detect a lever near the floor, and when you push it down, a section of the wall slides open to reveal a curtained arch. The voices are louder now and you approach the arch with caution. You are about to reach out and grasp the velvet curtains, when an unexpected noise at your back makes you wince. The secret door has closed and locked behind you. Fearful of what may lie ahead, yet unable now to retrace your steps, you peek through a gap in the curtains and your pulse races when you catch your first glimpse of what lies beyond.

Turn to 93.