Room11c
Jora touches the surface of the white mirror and the surface rushes across the small band. The transition is cold, colder than the water in the river and they are left shivering upon the shore after the magic has completed its work.
The magic mirrors have disappeared and the black and white doors remain on opposite shores.
“Are we sure that it’s safe to call that skeleton?” Conrad doesn’t appear enthusiastic about their choice.
“Do we really have a choice?” Jora steps to the edge of the water and raises his hand to beckon the boatman.
“Boatman, we require passage,” he shouts.
The black-cloaked figure stands and takes up a long paddle. The boat turns toward the shore and approaches rapidly.
The boat grinds ashore and the skull-faced pilot steps over the gunwale and splashes ashore. A bony hand is held out and the creature stares at Jora.
Jora stares dumbly at the hand.
“No coin?” The skeleton seems to scowl even without a face to show an expression.
“I have no coin,” Jora says.
The skeleton clicks its teeth loudly and gestures to the boat.
“What is the world coming to when passage is not paid for? Board and I shall ferry you across.”
Jora cannot fathom how the creature speaks with neither lips nor tongue. “Board the vessel now or be left upon the shore.”
Jora looks to the rest of the group who appear hesitant. “Get aboard.”
The others scramble over the sides of the ancient watercraft.
The boatman climbs aboard and pushes away from the shore.
The passage continues in silence, the only sound is the gentle splash of the paddle in the water. The boat soon approaches the far beach and grinds ashore.
The boatman leans on his paddle and gestures toward the shore.
The small group rushes away from the skeletal boatman and gathers safely on the shore.
“We shall meet again, soon enough,” the boatman says and rows away from shore.
“What did he mean by that?” Safir’s eyes are wide.
“Who knows,” Lamia says. “Let’s just get out of here.”
What choice should the adventurers make?