Center of the Maze: Childhood

Dakshana flinched back from Chadstone. He did rune magic - magic that was stronger and older and smelled more dark than anything the shamans had done. Ashoken had known this magic, though, and Ashoken was dead. Chadstone was some otherworldly wizard. Dakshana could survive him.

“Yes,” she said. “The maze.” She lifted her chin defiantly. Beside her, Minka looked equally defiant. Srina looked scared.

“After you, then,” Chadstone said, and made a sweeping, expansive gesture.

And the stone room vanished.

Dakshana jumped - and crashed into Minka, who toppled into Srina, who fell against the wall. Of Dakshana’s hut. From her childhood.