“What do we have here?” An’ric asked looking at the floor. Runes had been carved into each tile… air, water, fire and earth.

“Whoa.” Cal called out, grabbing the monk by the collar. “I think we have to find the right path. Travel the runes is the correct sequence or…”

“Or what Cal?” Tavril asked.

“Or pin cushions.” Arabess answered. “See those holes in the walls, they’re everywhere, pointing at everything.”

“Oh my. Why yes. That would be a problem.”

“So which one first. I can jump about halfway…”

“No.” Cal cut him off. “The runes are set in rows, eight in fact”

“Yeah. If it’s a key, then you have to select the right rune in each row.” Evalise agreed.

“Ok so which one first.”

Cal and Evalise considered the writing they found in the previous room.

“Second fire.” They agreed.

An’ric stepped forward and the rune took on a muted glow though nothing else.

“Ok so second fire now first?” An’ric asked as he jumped to the next tile. The floor sunk as his foot passed below the surface. He felt a sudden pain as sharp spikes bit into his ankle and leg. There was a whistling sound as darts fired from the holes in the wall striking his chest. “Ow damn it.” He yelped.

It took some effort but with the assistance of Evalise and Tavril, he was able to pull free and return to the safe tile in the first row.  

“Wait Ric.” Evalise said. “Next should be air.”

The monk followed her instructions and made it safely to the second row.

Some discussion and several missteps later An’ric found himself on the other side of the tiled floor. The runes lit up all at once then faded.

“I think it’s safe now.” Cal suggested. Evalise stepped forward and crossed the room without any further hindrance.

“Hey could one of you healing folk maybe help a monk out?” An’ric asked as he grimaced. His leg was bleeding rather profusely and he sported many open wounds.

“Certainly my son.” Tavril smiled, beginning his prayer to Helm.

Arabess reached out and gently held An’ric by the shoulder. A silver glow emanated from her eyes and An’ric felt his pain eased as if some cooling anesthetic had been applied to his leg. He watched as the wound began to close. Tavril finished his prayer and the rest of the injury was healed.

“Most impressive Arabess. So you are a devotee as well?”

“Not really? I’m just blessed is all.” She grinned.

“I’d say.” He smiled back for maybe a moment too long for Cal’s liking.

They continued to explore the temple passing through dark dusty corridors that appeared long abandoned until they came across a room with a locked door. Cal could hear the sound of sliding movement from beyond the portal. He picked the lock and waited for his companions to give the go ahead. With a nod he opened the door and backed away just in time to avoid being beset up by a Yuan ti and several fiery salamanders. They encountered zombies down another hall, the remains of tomb robbers to be sure.

Deeper into the temple they found two sarcophagi resting on raised pedestals.

“We probably shouldn’t disturb those right?” Tavril questioned.

“Nonsense. We owe it to the pursuit of knowledge to see what’s inside and recover its lost secrets.” Cal said with a mirthy grin.

“Yeah that.” An’ric agreed though far less believable than Cal.”

“Ev, could you give me a hand here?”

With some effort, the lid slid off to the side and stale air laden with the odor of death escaped into the chamber. A decomposed hand, wrapped in bandaging, reached out, rending flesh away from Evalise’s forearm.

“What the hell is that?” Arabess yelled, her vantage point didn’t allow for her to see any more than a gnarled, desiccated hand.

“Mummy!” Cal yelled as Evalise summoned her sword from the void of nothingness, ignited the blade with flame and stabbed the creature causing it to erupt in a blaze of fire. When the smoke cleared all that remained was a circlet, a pendant of a key and six golden rings. They were better prepared for the  second sarcophagus and when the mummy reached out of his coffin , it was met with quick violent action, ending its undead existence. The monster left behind identical effects to the first though a silver key pendant rather than gold. 

“Everyone ok?” Tavril inquired. “Is anyone hurt?” His words were meant for the group but his focus was on Evalise and the nasty wound on her forearm. “Allow me.” He offered, gently placing his hand over the rendered flesh as he prayed. The wound grew warm, illuminating softly before closing. 

“Thanks.” She smiled in return. 

“This way.” An’ric called out near the archway to a corridor illuminated by the flicker of burning sconces.