Transcript – Old Wounds

[Quest of Ruin Theme plays]

ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents
Quest of Ruin
Episode Twenty-Two
Old Wounds

[Theme fades to urban background noise, with sounds of stationery and dice in the foreground]

GAME MASTER
Hello and welcome to Quest of Ruin, the post-apocalyptic fantasy roleplaying podcast. I am your host and Game Master. You join us in time to see our daring heroes travelling through the Pass of Imradil.

ROSIE
And about to get attacked by something horrible, I’m just gonna assume?

WILL
[sarcastically] No, I’m sure it’s fine.

MATT
[sarcastically] ‘Cause a loud ominous roaring usually means incoming puppy stampede.

LEAH
Hey, you don’t know it isn’t that!

GINA
Probably isn’t.

LEAH
Can you not just let me dream?

GINA
No.

[They giggle.]

WILL
Well, let’s ask the Game Master. Is it a puppy stampede?

GAME MASTER
Funnily enough, no.

WILL
Is it a horrible, nightmarish monster?

GAME MASTER
It might be.

WILL
I hate you so much.

MATT
Alright, so what are we dealing with?

GAME MASTER
Well you don’t know yet, you haven’t seen it. You’ve only heard it. You’ll need to keep on going. So! Who’s going first? 

[Pause.]

GAME MASTER (ctd.)
Well, don’t everyone volunteer at once.

MATT
Well I’m not doing it!

LEAH
Yeah, duh! No one’s looking at you.

GINA
It’s gonna be me or Laethar, isn’t it?

LEAH
You mean the two strongest guys? Yeah, probably.

WILL
We could go together?

ROSIE
I’ll stay back.

GINA
How nice for you.

ROSIE
Hey! I’m a squishy ranger, you’re a big orc!

GINA
Yeah, yeah, alright.

GAME MASTER
Okay, so Laethar and Aiolin are out in front, Yaela’s at the back, Balink and Vurieth are in the middle.

WILL
Let’s do it!

[The rest of the players agree.]

GAME MASTER
Okay, so you continue through the passage…

[Transition music with dice rolls plays, taking us to the mountain passage with a screeching creature in the near distance; dramatic music plays.]

AIOLIN
Oh I don’t like the sound of that.

LAETHAR
Be on your guard.

[Laethar draws his sword, Yaela readies her bow.]

BALINK
Looks like you’ll finally be able to test out that new mace of yours.

AIOLIN
Well, I’m hoping it’ll be enough.

BALINK
Enough?! I couldn’t even lift the thing! You could take a guy’s head off with that!

[The creature screeches again, it sounds closer.]

AIOLIN
This one might be a bit too big for that.

[The creature smashes through a section of the mountain, screeching as it approaches.]

VURIETH
Oh no, not one of these!

BALINK
… Maybe it’s friendly? 

[The creature screeches again, ready to attack.]

VURIETH
Very much not.

YAELA
Vurieth, get back!

[Yaela looses an arrow, hitting the dire worm, it screams in pain.]

LAETHAR
Well, we’ve definitely angered it now.

AIOLIN
We? I haven’t done anything yet!

BALINK
Well, here’s your chance!

[The dire worm shifts, and Aiolin takes the chance to try out his new mace. The dire worm screeches again.]

AIOLIN
Well, that was effective.

LAETHAR
It’s not over yet. Balink! Lay down some cover!

BALINK
On it!

[Balink throws a small explosive which goes off a couple of times, hissing as smoke fills the mountain pass.]

BALINK
That should keep us covered.

LAETHAR
Nice work. Watch out!

[The dire worm attacks with another screech, sending Laethar and Aiolin across the path with grunts of pain.]

YAELA
Are you two alright!?

AIOLIN
Just about!

LAETHAR
I’m fine, just got a nasty cut.

YAELA
Vurieth, can you heal him?

VURIETH
My magic is messing up, remember?!

YAELA
Dammit!

LAETHAR
I can take it!

[Laethar picks up his sword.]

YAELA
Alright, go, I’ll cover you.

[Laethar charges, swinging at the dire worm and slicing into its skin. The dire worm screeches with pain.]

YAELA
Open wide!

[Yaela looses an arrow into the dire worm’s mouth.]

YAELA
Aiolin, finish it off!

AIOLIN
On it!

[Aiolin charges, swinging his mace, and brings the creature down. The dire worm lets out one last screech as it falls. The dramatic music fades, and the wind fills the mountain pass.]

YAELA
Nice work, everyone.

BALINK
What the snot is that thing?

LAETHAR
A gondlhug. The death that stalks the mountains.

YAELA
I thought the dire worms lived further south?

VURIETH
They do. My people encounter them often.

AIOLIN
[panting] Maybe this one migrated?

BALINK
That was a nasty fuzz-butt thing!

YAELA
A dire worm, Binks.

BALINK
That weren’t no worm. That was fuzzy.

AIOLIN
Some worms have hair, Balink.

[Laethar grunts in pain.]

LAETHAR
And I can promise you, it was not “fuzzy.” Damned stuff nearly sliced my arm open.

AIOLIN
You alright?

LAETHAR
Yes, nothing a little time won’t heal.

AIOLIN
I think I have some ingredients for a poultice that might help.

LAETHAR
My thanks.

YAELA
We should keep moving. I don’t think we want to be around when the carrion eaters come looking for this thing.

VURIETH
Agreed.

BALINK
[muttering] Fuzz-butt big fuzzy butt thing… 

[Balink’s muttering fades away. The sound of nighttime fades in, and a campfire crackles merrily in the foreground.]

YAELA
We’ve made good time. We should reach the college by noon tomorrow.

AIOLIN
What’s left of it.

VURIETH
Do you think anyone might have returned in the years since?

AIOLIN
Anyone who survived the Horde’s attack on the college came and joined me at the Remnant Library. Hermie Topgrass, she was a student, one of the last ones to get away from the College, well she said that the whole complex was burning. I don’t think we’ll find much above ground.

LAETHAR
But you think these vaults of Master Sonrai will still be intact?

AIOLIN
Absolutely. No one apart from Master Sonrai even knew how to get in.

BALINK
Well, no one except for you, right?

AIOLIN
Uh… No.

YAELA
But you know where they are?

AIOLIN
No clue.

LAETHAR
Wait, you don’t know?!

AIOLIN
I told you. Master Sonrai kept them hidden. They contained works that were priceless, he didn’t trust anyone with their secrets except for himself.

VURIETH
But they are real?

AIOLIN
Oh, they’re definitely real. He told me so. All the students knew that he would sometimes disappear for an hour or so then return with some artefact or text that was not in the main library. When I asked him about it, he said that he kept the more valuable items locked away in his private vaults. He never told me any more than that, but they definitely exist.

LAETHAR
Though we don’t know if they’ll contain what we need.

YAELA
I thought we agreed-

LAETHAR
Oh, I know it’s our best chance. But we should prepare ourselves for the possibility that the secret to translating that book may not be there. And even if it is, we don’t know if that book will hold the secrets Vurieth requires.

VURIETH
I do know this. But… I would very much like to find out.

BALINK
Ah, don’t listen to grumpy-pants. We’ll find it and fix you up, no problem.

VURIETH
I certainly hope so.

YAELA
Are you going to be alright with going back?

AIOLIN
Hm… I don’t know. I mean, I want to go back. I’ve wanted that since I left. But I… I keep imagining what we might find.

YAELA
I don’t think anyone expects this to be easy for you.

AIOLIN
I suppose I am a little nervous.

VURIETH
About returning?

AIOLIN
Yeah. I mean, I had this fantasy about going back, restoring the College to its former glory. But I suppose I never really thought about what actually going back would mean. I knew the College was destroyed and all these years I’ve tried not to think about it. But now I’m going to have to actually see it.

LAETHAR
I can understand that.

AIOLIN
I know it’s stupid. But I suppose I thought if I didn’t see it for myself, I could keep pretending that the College was still there. That I could get it back.

BALINK
Get what back?

YAELA
Home.

BALINK
Oh.

VURIETH
I am sorry for making you do this, my friend.

AIOLIN
No need for all that. I want to go and I need to go. I need to stop pretending and face reality.

VURIETH
You think it will really be that bad?

AIOLIN
You saw those towns up in Weisscrag, what little was left of them after the Horde had finished. I doubt the College fared any better. I think that’s what I’m worried about. Right now, when I think of the College, the only thing I picture is how it used to be. Tomorrow I’ll see it as it is now. I just don’t want it to tarnish the memories.

[A short pause.]

BALINK
Tell us about it!

AIOLIN
Eh?

BALINK
Go on, tell us. How it used to be.

YAELA
Binks, I don’t know if that will help.

VURIETH
You do not have to, if you do not wish to.

AIOLIN
No, no. I think, um… It would be nice to tell you how it was.

BALINK
Go on then, tell us everything!

[Nostalgic music begins to play as Aiolin speaks.]

AIOLIN
Well, I’m not sure where to begin. Before I came to the College, the largest building I’d ever seen was the Chief’s longhouse in Mal’Hokur. So when I came to the College, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was grand. Tall, tall towers and sweeping rooftops. Built, I discovered later, in the Aeari Style in 1284, likely using the Marble University as inspiration?

LAETHAR
I wouldn’t know. I never went to the Sonrai College, I only knew your master by reputation. You might have guessed I was never the studious type, that was always… well, suffice to say, I never made the journey. Though I daresay that was my loss.

AIOLIN
It certainly was. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy. Surrounded by so much learning. By the time I was fifty, I’d barely scratched the surface of what the College contained. And then there was Master Sonrai himself. I can’t imagine there ever being a greater teacher than him. Brilliant, patient. He always seemed to know the answer to whatever question was posed to him. There’ll never be another like him… [sigh] didn’t deserve what happened…

YAELA
If you need some time, before we arrive-

AIOLIN
No. Thank you, but no. I’ve put this off long enough already. I think, if I hesitate now, I won’t be able to go through with it.

[The nostalgic music fades away.]

BALINK
You’ll be alright, big guy. We’re here with ya.

AIOLIN
Thanks, Binks.

VURIETH
We will do anything you need. Just say the word.

YAELA
Yes. Anything at all.

AIOLIN
I think just getting there will be enough for now.

BALINK
It does sound like it was really nice.

AIOLIN
Oh, it was.

YAELA
It sounds beautiful.

AIOLIN
Nothing like the serenity of the Fae Realm, though.

YAELA
Well, few things are. But the mortal realm is dimmer for its loss.

AIOLIN
Thanks.

[Pause.]

VURIETH
[yawns] Well, I think I shall turn in. Goodnight everyone.

YAELA
Yes, everyone get some rest. We have a big day ahead.

[The nighttime fades away, and the story fades back in with the party crossing a worn bridge across a river.]

BALINK
This bridge has seen better days.

LAETHAR
I doubt anyone’s been here to do maintenance since the War.

AIOLIN
[distantly] Just mind where you step-woah!

[Aiolin’s foot slips and a chunk of bridge falls into the river.]

VURIETH
[amused] You should heed your own advice, my friend.

YAELA
[in the distance] Come on, we should be able to see it over this next rise.

LAETHAR
We’re coming.

[The party continue up to where Yaela is.]

BALINK
[panting] Why… is… everywhere… so… stinking… steep!

YAELA
Don’t worry, Binks. It’s all downhill from here… oh.

[A short pause, sad music begins to play, the party catches up.]

YAELA (ctd.)
Oh, I’m so sorry, Aiolin.

AIOLIN
[sighs] Don’t be. It’s about what I expected.

BALINK
Oh blimey. You were right.

AIOLIN
Aye. Only rocks and rubble. And, I suppose, what’s left of those who couldn’t get out in time.

VURIETH
Do you need-?

AIOLIN
Come on. Let’s get this done. We won’t find the vaults from up here.

[Aiolin walks away.]

VURIETH
I am starting to think this may not have been a good idea.

LAETHAR
No, it was. Even if you didn’t need that book translating, I think facing this place is something Aiolin needs to do. However unpleasant it might be.

YAELA
Let’s just get this over with, shall we?

VURIETH
You seem a little on edge.

YAELA
This place is so… open. I’m feeling rather exposed. Who knows what’s lurking around in this valley.

LAETHAR
Well, perhaps you’ll feel better when we’re down in the ruins.

YAELA
I doubt it. Come on.

[The scene fades away, and the sound of the party walking through overgrown grass fades up, as a light breeze blows.]

AIOLIN
Well, that’s that. It’s pretty much what I expected.

VURIETH
Do you need a moment?

AIOLIN
[sigh] No, no. I did my grieving a long time ago. Suppose I just wasn’t quite ready to see it all in the real. And up close. But we need to find the vaults.

YAELA
Any idea where to start? Perhaps your master gave you a clue at some point?

AIOLIN
If he did, he hid it very well.

BALINK
You’d think a vault door would be easy to spot. Not like there’s much that could hide it.

LAETHAR
Indeed. Spread out. See if you can find anything that might be a door. Look for patches of stone a different colour from the rest, perhaps, or maybe something wooden or metal.

YAELA
[sarcastically] Yes, thank you Laethar, I do know what a door looks like.

BALINK
All else fails, I could blast through the floor? I got… lemme see.

[Balink starts rifling through his backpack.]

BALINK (ctd.)
Bit of blasting jelly, some nitro, sulphur… no charcoal or salt paper but they’re easy enough to come by… uh, I could come up with something!

VURIETH
I doubt even you could get through this floor, my friend.

[Vurieth stamps on the stone floor.]

VURIETH (ctd.)
I think we shall have to do this the hard way.

BALINK
Urgh! Fine.

[The party begin to search, drifting away from each other and sifting through the rubble.]

YAELA
[calling from a short way off] And you’re sure your old master said nothing to you? Nothing that might have been a clue?

AIOLIN
No, I told you, nothing. The only thing anyone knew was that they existed. He kept everything else a secret.

YAELA
[approaching] Ugh! I can’t find anything. Not even a trace.

VURIETH
[a little desperate] Laethar? Perhaps there’s some ancient elven knowledge that can help with this?

LAETHAR
Ah, I’m afraid unless it’s the sword forms of the Narolin knighthood, there’s not much elven lore I can impart.

VURIETH
[angrily] I have not come this far to be stopped by a damned floor! Aiolin, where would your Master’s study have been?

AIOLIN
What, from here? I’d say about a hundred feet up that way.

VURIETH
Right.

[Vurieth stalks off.]

LAETHAR
What do they think they’re going to find up there?

YAELA
The middle of the empty air? Give them a little credit.

[Balink starts chasing after Vurieth.]

BALINK
[fading as he runs] Vurieth! Don’t try to fly! Trust me, it don’t end well.

YAELA
[sigh] Come on, let’s get after them.

[Yaela and Laethar start to follow, but stop as they realise that Aiolin isn’t moving.]

LAETHAR
Aiolin?

[Sad music begins to play.]

AIOLIN
[sigh] These were the kitchens here. When I was younger, my friends and I would come down here and steal treats. The Kitchen Mistress was a large woman, almost as big as me. She was terrifying when she caught us at it.

[Pause.]

YAELA
[gently] Come on, Aiolin.

[The three of them head off in the direction of Vurieth and Balink. The music fades, and the voices of Vurieth and Balink get louder as the others approach.]

VURIETH
There has to be something here. Some sort of clue.

BALINK
Oh hey, how about this? Maybe it’s a secret door?

AIOLIN
Eh, that’s just an alcove. There were loads of them around the college. Good places for private study without taking up space in a classroom.

BALINK
Oh yeah? And did they all have Khaltu locks in them?

AIOLIN
I… What?

BALINK
Here, look!

[The party all shuffle into the alcove, looking.]

YAELA
… What are we looking at, exactly?

BALINK
This! Here! I’m pointing right at it!

AIOLIN
Balink, that’s a brick.

BALINK
Nope! It’s a Khaltu lock. Designed by the dwarves of Cavernvault. Look, if I push here-

[A soft sound of moving stone, and a quiet whir.]

YAELA
[nonplussed] There’s a triangle in the brick.

LAETHAR
[flatly] Oh well, now we’re getting somewhere.

BALINK
Stop being stupid. That’s the keyhole. We get the key, it opens the lock.

VURIETH
So, this is the vault entrance?

BALINK
Obviously!

YAELA
And all we need is the key?

BALINK
Oh snot, no. If this is a Khaltu lock, there are probably other conditions before it opens. And we’ll only have one chance to do it.

LAETHAR
What do you mean?

BALINK
Well, with these locks, if you fail the conditions then they deadlock and can’t be budged ‘til after they reset.

VURIETH
And how long will that be?

BALINK
Depends. Could be a day. A week. A month. Longer. No way of knowing ‘til they reset.

YAELA
Well, for now we just need the key.

AIOLIN
Which Master Sonrai probably had on him when the Horde attacked.

LAETHAR
Unless he hid it. That’s what I’d have done.

YAELA
Where, though?

BALINK
Well, if you was this big smart guy and you knew you had to leave a clue somewhere, where would you leave it?

VURIETH
Somewhere… out of the way. Hidden but not too well hidden. Not in anything that might get damaged or carried way.

BALINK
That make you think of anything, Aiolin?

AIOLIN
Just one thing… maybe…

[Aiolin runs off.]

LAETHAR
Wait, what? Oh, for-

YAELA
Quick, get after him!

[The scene fades away, and we come back to the party following Aiolin through some foliage then pause.]

BALINK
Oh wow!

VURIETH
I did not even notice this earlier.

LAETHAR
I had no idea the College was this large.

VURIETH
Look! There he is, in the middle of the courtyard.

[The party walk through debris towards the courtyard.]

YAELA
Why’s he looking up at that statue?

BALINK
Who is that?

AIOLIN
Master Sonrai, of course.

[Nostalgic music begins to play.]

LAETHAR
I’m amazed it’s still standing. Not many statues survived the Horde.

AIOLIN
They’d have a hard time pulling this one down.

LAETHAR
You don’t mean… it’s made of silagond?

AIOLIN
Yeah, it was a gift from the Marble University. I think it was thanks for some help he gave them.

VURIETH
I do not think I know this thing.

YAELA
It’s Everstone, Vurieth. Eternal Marble. It can never be mined or shaped except by magic and it never dims or crumbles. It would take a powerful mage to even move this thing, never mind break it.

LAETHAR
This was a kingly gift. And it’s pure?

AIOLIN
Yep. All of it. Except right there. See? At his throat?

BALINK
Is that gold?

YAELA
It is, and the same shape as the keyhole.

BALINK
Niiiiceee

VURIETH
So, the key we need is in there?

AIOLIN
Probably.

BALINK
Want me to fiddle about in there and grab it?

AIOLIN
Sure, you’ve got the smallest fingers. Might be a good idea. D’you want a boost up there?

BALINK
Yeah thanks.

[Aiolin lifts Balink up, the goblin yelping a little. He scrambles a little then grabs the key.]

BALINK
Yesss!!

[Balink is placed back to the ground by Aiolin, who grunts slightly.]

AIOLIN
Well done.

LAETHAR
Shall we try it in that lock then?

AIOLIN
Yeah, looks like it’ll be a good start.

[The courtyard fades away, and we fade back to the alcove with the Khaltu lock. Balink slides the key in.]

BALINK
Perfect fit!

[He turns the key.]

BALINK (ctd.)
That’s step one done.

YAELA
So what happens now?

BALINK
The key should have revealed the second lock, or whatever it is needs opening.

LAETHAR
So we just need to look around?

BALINK
Hmmmmm…

[The group begin to wander, looking for the next clue.]

VURIETH
Here! Here, look! There are letters.

YAELA
What does it say?

AIOLIN
Doesn’t say anything. I think…

[The sound of sliding stone, and a soft click as it settles into place.]

AIOLIN (ctd.)
Yes! It’s a combination lock. Seven letters. We just turn the wheels to make the password.

LAETHAR
A password!? But that could be anything! We don’t even know what language-

AIOLIN
It’s Felaen lettering, Laethar. I think it’s a safe bet the password is in the Common tongue.

LAETHAR
Oh. I see.

YAELA
But even then there’s a lot of seven letter words out there. Is there no clue?

VURIETH
I cannot see anything else.

BALINK
Aiolin, you know any seven letter words what your master might use?

AIOLIN
I honestly cannot think of a thing…

LAETHAR
Well then, we shall have to work it out somehow.

BALINK
That could take ages!

VURIETH
Perhaps the answer is here. Perhaps there is some kind of clue. We just need to find it.

YAELA
You mean the answer is actually hidden in plain sight, we just need to realise what it is?

AIOLIN
That does sound very much like Master Sonrai.

BALINK
Alright, maybe he hid a clue somewhere about, like on the statue?

VURIETH
Somewhere nearby, probably. Uh… So it could be seen from the alcove.

LAETHAR
Which means we have a problem.

YAELA
Because if it was anywhere near here…

BALINK
… It’s now buried under all this mess.

AIOLIN
That’s a bit of a problem.

VURIETH
There must be something left.

LAETHAR
Well, the Horde did a number on this place, but there are some things still intact. Hopefully the clue was among them.

VURIETH
Oh my goodness, that is it!

LAETHAR
What?

VURIETH
If you were going to leave a message, or a code, hidden somewhere, when you know the Horde could come and trample everything any day. What would be the one thing you could be reasonably sure would survive?

LAETHAR
Well, the statue. But he already hid the key there.

YAELA
It would be risky to use it twice.

BALINK
Ummm… a book! No, no, they’re all burned… One of the columns! No, they’re smashed… Floorboards? … No, also smashed…

AIOLIN
But the flagstones aren’t! Master Sonrai could have left the clue marked on the floor itself, trusting it would be buried under the wreckage!

VURIETH
Indeed! I think the clue is buried beneath us!

BALINK
So… We’re gonna have to dig for it!

LAETHAR
Well I can’t think of anywhere else we might find a clue.

AIOLIN
I’ll get the shovel.

BALINK
Well…

YAELA
Do you have another idea?

BALINK
I mean… a nice gentle explosive can’t hurt, right?

LAETHAR
Do you promise it would be gentle?

BALINK
‘Course! Just to speed the process along a bit!

[The scene fades away, and we rejoin the party as they dig and shift through the rubble and debris. After a moment, there is a gentle explosion.]

BALINK
There! Saved us an hour digging that did!

YAELA
I’m impressed.

VURIETH
Very well done, my friend! Shall you and I climb on down and have a look while the others clear the area over there?

BALINK
Yeah!

[They walk down into the minor crater Balink made.]

BALINK (ctd.)
Yep! Aiolin! There’s letters on the stones, just like you said!

[The digging stops.]

AIOLIN
So, Master Sonrai did leave us a clue.

LAETHAR
Well that’s something. What do they say?

BALINK
Ummmm… I’ll be honest, they don’t make much sense to me.

VURIETH
I must admit, their meaning evades me also.

[Pause.]

VURIETH (ctd.)
Hold on. Look here. There! Those letters are slanted, off from the rest.

BALINK
Wait, lemme look – does it spell summat?

AIOLIN
You think it’s a hidden message?

VURIETH
As yet uncertain, my friend!

BALINK
What’s a “dah-goon-ally”?

AIOLIN
You what?

VURIETH
That is “diagonally,” little one.

BALINK
Oh! I see… so, what’s diagonal?

AIOLIN
No idea. Is there anything else?

VURIETH
Not that we can see, perhaps it is part of a clue? If we can find more flagstones?

AIOLIN
Good idea. You need a hand up?

BALINK
Please.

[Aiolin helps Balink and Vurieth out of the crater.]

LAETHAR
[from further away] We found something!

[The three rush over to Yaela and Laethar.]

AIOLIN
What is it?

YAELA
It’s… a scroll.

AIOLIN
A scroll? You mean a piece of the collection survived the Horde?!

LAETHAR
No, no, sorry. She means that there is an engraving on this flagstone. A man reading from a scroll.

AIOLIN
Oh yeah, I remember that one. There were some words written on it, right?

YAELA
Yes, there are. All of them seven letters long.

LAETHAR
All of them?

YAELA
Yeah, there are a lot of them. If Binks is right and we have only one chance per day, then we have weeks worth of options already.

VURIETH
What are they?

YAELA
See for yourself.

VURIETH
Ah, I see what you meant. [reading] ‘Studies… attempt…’ that third word is dreadfully scuffed.

AIOLIN
‘Counsel,’ I believe. The masters used to often tell us, our learning was like seeking the counsel of ancient wise ones.

LAETHAR
Then we have… ‘Finding… endless…’ And… What’s that one?

YAELA
‘Patient.’

BALINK
Oh oh! And that bottom one says ‘insight’!

VURIETH
‘Studies, attempt, counsel, finding, endless, patient, insight.’

AIOLIN
[laughs] That does sound like the scholars.

LAETHAR
So we have seven words, all seven letters long. Perhaps we give one of them a go and… see how long it takes to reset?

YAELA
We could be here for weeks doing that!

VURIETH
Surely there must be another way?

BALINK
[quietly] Another way…

LAETHAR
Well, I’m all ears for your suggestion, Ashlander!

BALINK
[quietly] “Di-goon-ally”…

AIOLIN
This is a puzzle, the quickest way is to just work it out!

VURIETH
Wait! Wait, our little one has got it!

BALINK
I have?

VURIETH
Diagonally! Look, read it again, start at that top S.

BALINK
Studies?

VURIETH
Yes, yes, Now. Read it…

[Vurieth slides their finger through the dust on the flagstone.]

VURIETH (ctd.)
That way!

BALINK
Hmm… S…t…u…d..e..n…t… Student?

AIOLIN
That’s it!

LAETHAR
Nice work.

YAELA
Well done you two.

BALINK
[excitedly] Can I put it in? I wasn’t allowed to touch the Khaltu locks in Cavernvault.

AIOLIN
Go on then.

BALINK
Yaaayyyy!

[Balink leads the party as they all run back to the alcove. There is a series of sliding stones and clicking as Balink enters the password into the lock. A rumbling of moving stone begins and metallic clinks as the lock disengages… Dice roll and transition music plays as we return to the gaming table.]

GAME MASTER
And, before your eyes, the back of the alcove draws apart like great stone gates to reveal…

[Pause.]

WILL
Fine, what?

GAME MASTER
Something that will be revealed next time!

[The players collectively groan with annoyance.]

GAME MASTER
Yes we have, in fact, run out of time so we shall pick this up later. Join us again, next time.

[The end theme plays and the Announcer recites the credits]