The sand trireme blasts its way across the yellow-white drifting dunes of the Sea of Sand, a dust cloud billowing before it, blown by the same winds that propel the craft forward. The crew scurries about, continually busy with something or another, or else just very practiced at making a show of it. The misshapen, chimerical creatures – no two alike – speak in a chattering tongue, occasionally using smatterings of Rephidim Standard (mangled badly in most cases) for the benefit of the non-Nohbakim passengers.

These people have long been isolated from most of the world – even their neighbors in the Himaat – but with the increased activity in their lands as a result of the discovery of the Gateway Tower, some of the nomadic tribes have become more bold in making contact with the Rephidimites and merchants of the Khattan Emirate … as well as even more alien interests.

They seem almost unshakable in the face of strangeness (although easily scared off when threatened with even a hint of violence) and don't seem to bother telling the difference between Naga or Skreek or half-breed-Vartan-Hekoye or Rath'ani or what-have-you. (But then, it's entirely possible for a single Nohbakim to exhibit traits of all of those races, mangled together.)

A few Nohbakim sit over at the side, pouring and downing draughts from a keg of strange water composed of a swirling rainbow of colors. Nearby, some more of the warped creatures utilize contraptions that suggest fishing rods, except that it seems that it takes three of the "fishers" to haul up a catch – a grotesque fish with teeth that jut out of its mouth at odd angles, and eyes that pop out all over its body and stare blankly as it thrashes about. And, no, there's not a bit of water that that fish could have been pulled up from – only sand.

Off in the distance – what little can be made of it through the trireme's advance dust cloud – it looks like the vessel is bound for a sandstorm on the horizon. The Nohbakim don't seem to be the least bit concerned about this.

At the head of the vessel in an odd looking mage's circle is a raccoon mumbling to himself while he tries to gesture in his sweat stained robes. It looks unmistakably like the same fellow from Guy Fox Day.

Lakshmi peers out from under her hood, her tail curled securely around a supporting post. She shudders slightly at sight of the "fish", then glances up at the apparent sandstorm. "Skye, you have better eyes than I… Can you make out if that's a sandstorm up ahead or not?"

Looking across the desert, the little black Skreek pants, shading his eyes with one paw. His other is wrapped tightly about one of the trireme's sheets, steadying him against the wind and dust. "That it be, boss'Lakshmi. Remember w'en we were working t'e edge of t'e desert up Savan way? Except, well, it don't look like it's going anyw'ere very fast. Just dead a'ead and extremely grumpy. W'at's beyond t'at wall of dust, 'owever, only t'e sun an' prolly t'e No'bakim know."

The Nohbakim fishermen chatter to one another as they secure the massive fish down and drag it below the decks. The noises of some sort of scuffle can be heard and a smaller Nohbakim that had been holding onto the tail of the thrashing fish tumbles back out the hatch. He shakes his fist, a hand that looks like a purplish insect's claw, in the direction he flew from, and then struts back to the edge of the deck and takes his pole up again.

Lakshmi mutters softly to herself at Skye's words, "Lovely… " She watches the struggle with the fish… then sighs and smiles quietly at Skye, observing him. "Are you all right? Do you need more water? I know heat is hard on fur."

The raccoon ceases his dancing and steps forward until he's practically standing on the very nose of the great ship. His mumbling continues softly as he watches the storm over the top of his folded hands.

One of the Nohbakim offers Skye a ceramic cup full of the rainbow colored fluid. The ship jolts slightly and a few drops of it splatter out, hissing noisily as they come into contact with the wood of the deck.

His tongue lolling out, Skye ruffles his tunic, frowning slightly. "I prolly s'ould 'ave c'osen a li'ter tunic, but I s'ould be fine for a bit … as for sommat to drink, t'at sound like a good… " He pauses then, as the Nohbakim kindly offers some of their own colorful refreshment. Shaking his head, his eyes grow at least a little bit wider as the deck hisses. Holding up a paw, he politely declines. "T'ank yi … but … but I t'ink I 'ave suddenly lost my t'irst."

Lakshmi's eyes widen slightly at the reaction between wood and liquid, but she doesn't say anything.

The Nohbakim shrugs and trundles back to the larger barrel full of the snuff, chugging the contents of the cup in one gulp as he does so.

A few moments later when none of the Nohbakim are looking, Lakshmi casually passes a canteen to Skye, so they're each carrying one.

Off the starboard side of the sand trireme comes the high-pitched cry of "Hooska, kooshkies, hooska!"

The sails of the ship begin to thrash as the ship moves closer to the whirling sandstorm. Still, it appears to be holding together for now.

Wrapping the long straps of the canteen around one paw, Skye nods. "T'ank yi. I'll make sure it goes a long way, yes?" He gaze darts across the boat, to the noisome hold and the bowsprit activities. "Laks'mi, did yi expect your fortune teller to be 'ere? Is 'e part of t'e expedition too?"

Lakshmi curls up a little more tightly around the bracing spar, pulling her light hooded cloak closer so it won't flap wildly in the wind. She shakes her head with amusement. "No… but if he's a Chaos Mage, I'm not surprised he's here. Aren't Forbidden Zones supposed to be high in chaotic effects?" She straightens slightly, trying to see what's occurring on the starboard side of the trireme. "Hold on, Skye… It's looking messy up ahead and I don't want to lose you overboard… especially if there are things like that fanged fish thing over there!"

Skye nods, bracing against the growing wind, steadying his grasp upon the rigging. He watches, eyes sharp, and also listens, just as close.

Off to the right side of the ship, a sled skids across the sands, partially obscured in the wind-blown dust. It appears to be drawn by a team of … lumps in the sand. Every once in a while, one of the "lumps" bursts out of the sand, leaping up, revealing itself to be a ball-shaped, spiny, springy, brightly-colored creature somehow hitched to the sled as part of a team, and pulling it along at a respectable pace. As the trireme gets closer to the sandstorm, the flanking sled pulls up nearer to the larger vessel.

Lakshmi looks fascinated, leaning out over the railing to see the sled team creatures.

A short sled-driver is standing on his craft, which looks to be patched together from salvaged wood, leather, bits of bony pieces, and general scrap. Several taut lines reach out in front of the sled, disappearing into the fine sand, leading to the lumps in the sand that indicate the locations of the burrowing spherical creatures.

The sled-driver is swathed in thick cloth, most of it white, but with patches of different tones here and there, and straps and pouches in random places. His (or her?) eyes are covered in goggles … with four lenses. A pair of vulpine ears poke up from the head, the only visible fur on the creature – and they happen to be purple-red.

The raccoon mage grits his teeth and starts to pull his hands apart. His mumbling starts to hiss through his teeth as short grunts. Probably less than half a minute ahead is the whirling sandstorm, roaring at the ship like some great animal ready to devour the passengers.

While Lakshmi looks to the side and the odd desert creatures, Skye's attention is forward, toward the wall of dust and their desert approach. Where the Rath'ani Mage looks, so does he, to see if there is perhaps a mundane shadow of his arcane searching. As the sandstorm approaches, his free hand reaches up, getting a good grasp of his hat.

The Nohbakim sled driver looks up from the sled, and starts blathering something, and waves with a free hand toward the Naga. It looks like a friendly gesture, but there's no way to see the driver's facial expression.

Lakshmi is obviously torn. She knows she should huddle down and brace for the sandstorm… but a species she's not yet familiar with – Oh, the temptation! She compromises by curling her tail more tightly around the ship's spar, waving once to the driver and then holding onto the railing tightly with both hands – and craning her neck so she can see as clearly as possible! She holds it for as long as she can – intending to recoil just before they hit the storm.

Lakshmi's cloak snaps briskly in the wind about her.

Watching his employer out of the corner of his eye, Skye shifts his balance. Just in case …

As the mage slowly spreads his hands apart, the storm (or at least a section of it) retreats out of the way from the ship, as though a chunk had suddenly been torn from it. The ship jolts slightly as it enters the storm, but the shock is nothing like what was expected. All around the winds stir and blow as the ship glides through the sands, but only a slight breeze and a few grains of sand ever actually touch it. Annoying perhaps, but safe.

The storm closes in behind the ship and swallows it, but doesn't quite manage to touch it. The Chaos Mage's arms are spread wide now as he shouts nonsense to the winds, screaming them back with… well… it sounds like utter gibberish really.

Lakshmi recoils swiftly just before they hit the sandstorm… but upon realization that it's not so bad, she uncoils, with a delighted expression, and hangs back out over the railing to admire the interesting new animals. She's not so foolish as to release her tight tail grip on the ship, however… and her hands are closed on the railing and a nearby rope for better balance. She happily studies the kooshkies as best she can each time they leap from the sand.

His ears perking, Skye watches as the dust storm parts and then closes behind him. Khai! Bet there's few locks that would bar 'im! Once through, he spares a glance behind, watching the grumbling storm roar shut behind them, as final as a cold metal trap.

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Skye, look! I think they're kooshkies! I've never seen them before!"

As Skye's gaze returns forwards, he softly chuckles, "It's always a good day w'en yi find a new critter … " His attention though, quickly snaps forward, seeking out the first signs of the tower. "Maybe we can arrange to go back out by sled, boss'Laks'mi?"

Lakshmi beams as she continues studying the kooshkies, her cloak billowing around her. "What a lovely idea, Skye!"

Nodding, Skye smiles, his voice quiet. "Maybe t'ey'll even let yi call out 'hooska!'"

Lakshmi laughs delightedly!

Ahead, an image of something starts to resolve itself through the whirling sands…

Blinding clouds blown across the Sea of Sand obscure the objective of the adventurers' journey, until they are practically upon it. Then, the winds relent just enough to be able to see a silhouette of something standing tall over the rolling dunes. But this is no mere tower. As impossible as it may be, a tree rises from the lifeless sands, and holds a stone tower wedged amidst its branches.

Blinking, the Skreek looks up and up and up and up. Then he shrugs, his words flat and pragmatic. "Laks'mi, t'e Temple's tower 'as been eaten by a tree."

As the great sand vessel exits the storm, the raccoon's arms fall to his side and his mutterings slowly cease. He shakes sand out of his fur and then goes to chug down some of that odd rainbow-colored water.

Lakshmi's attention is dragged only reluctantly from the kooshkie team… so when she finally looks around, they're practically on top of the incredible tree. She stares at its roots in astonishment, a faint, "… oh my… " escaping her… then, slowly, her gaze rises up the tree's trunk, taking in its enormity – and the tower incongruously wedged in its branches. Her jaw slowly drops as she stares almost straight up at it, and for a while she's silent. Then she closes her mouth, her tongue flickers once… and she hisses, "This is simply… amazing… "

Lakshmi gets a slow grin, adding, "And we get to explore it!"

Behind the Naga and the Skreek, the door to belowdecks closes, and a voice behind them says, "Fascinating, certainly." Lochinvar, having determined that the Chaos Mage has finished his … whatever it is Chaos Mages do … arrives on the deck.

Skye continues to look up and up and up, his eyes brightening as they seek out the tree's higher branches. "No. We get to climb it."

The kooshkie sled pulls away from the trireme, picking up speed enough to shoot out in front of the larger vessel and cut across to the port side. "Hooska, hooska! Ha ha ha!"

Lakshmi gets an even more delighted grin as she glances at Skye. She absently tucks her cloak back around herself and grins at Lochinvar. "Hello there. Feeling all right?"

The Nohbakim burst into sudden activity – or that is, more activity than the frantic little creatures otherwise were already exhibiting. They start cranking madly on ropes, some of them leaping up and down to get proper leverage. The sails start rolling down, and the trireme accordingly slows its forward momentum, shussing from side to side.

The winged Hekoye casts a brief glance at the Rath'ani, then nods to Lakshmi. "I'm fine," is all he offers.

Lakshmi watches the kooshkie sled interestedly, coiling politely out of the way of any nearby Nohbakim.

The dust clouds kicked up by the trireme settle down, making the view of the tree and tower that much more clear. At last, the trireme slides to a stop, a bowshot away from the tree's base. The sled makes a couple of circles around the trireme, its driver calling out loudly and excitedly, pointing to the big tree on occasion.

The raccoon in question seems to have refreshed himself and is busily gathering together several long poles with bits of oddly colored crystals and stones tied to their tops. He pats his pocket to check something and then resumes his pole-gathering.

Looking back, Skye loosens his grasp on his hat, enough to touch its brim. "Morning. Or afternoon. Yi missed t'e parting of t'e winds. I t'ink t'e li'l … " Noticing the Hekoye's pause, he lets his words fade away, and the subject blown off the deck with the winds. "Kooshkies and trees, yi'onor. Curiouser t'e days get, yes?"

With a loud creaking noise, the main gangplank of the craft lowers down. The trireme slowly sinks on its skis, bringing the bottom of the gangplank flush with the surface of the sand beyond the ship.

Some of the Nohbakim hastily put on sand-shoes and secure the laces about their legs, then shuffle over toward the expedition party's supplies.

Lakshmi leans over the railing again, watching the goings-on with excited interest.

The raccoon narrowly misses bonking several of the Nohbakim in the head with his poles as he jogs over to Lakshmi and her companions. "Whenever you're ready, Ma'am, just point me to where you plan to set up camp and I'll set up the safe zone."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Certainly, Mage Fenter, and thank you so much for your efforts! It was quite smooth sailing the whole way." She glances over at the other two folks with her. "Shall we disembark and find a good place to set up our base camp?"

Skye looks back, dusting the sand from his hat. "A safe zone?"

The Nohbakim drag the supplies off of the ship, down the gangplank, pulling them on small sleds – smaller versions of the kooshkie sled, each of them. The sand-shoes look very clumsy, and many of the Nohbakim look on the verge of tripping over their own feet (or other limbs as appropriate), but the cargo sleds are now off the ship, at the base of the gangplank.

Lochinvar echoes Skye's question. "What kind of safe zone?"

The raccoon clumsily tries to slip into a pair of sand shoes himself. "A sort of no-magic zone. It's not foolproof, since Forbidden Zone magic is a bit on the wild side, but it should keep you safe if there's any nasties or ill effects from staying here. It sort of scrambles up any charged magic that enters into it."

Lakshmi slithers down the gangplank, her large backpack slung over one shoulder, and cautiously tests the sand with a coil.

Folding his arms, the coyote nods slowly. "No magic is fine with me," he comments dryly.

Lakshmi uses a more side-to-side sort of movement, coil by coil, to shift her weight across the sand… very much like a sidewinder.

Skye looks down the gang plank and then to the mage and then to the others. "Will I be needing a pair of t'ese sands'oes?"

As the Naga eases herself out onto the sand, her coils begin to sink. Were she smaller and lighter her technique might work, but it seems that the girth of a Boa only serves to slow the sinking down instead of stopping it altogether.

The kooshkie driver starts blathering incoherently (well, he's been incoherent the whole while, really. Or she, or whatever) and the kooshkie sled turns about, headed roughly in Lakshmi's direction.

Lakshmi looks up and grins with the enthusiasm of the avid researcher. "This is marvelous! I think I'm going to need to use a sled though… I don't think those sand shoe thingies will help me much." She notes the approaching kooshkie sled and brightens. "Oh, even better!"

Some Nohbakim scramble back up the gangplank, and rush over to another sled up on the deck. They lift it up, heave to, and hurl it off the edge of the trireme.

The sled lands in the sand about the time the kooshkie sled pulls up alongside Lakshmi. The driver is chattering and making wild gestures, as his or her sled comes to a stop, and the kooshkies rise from the sand, either jiggling in place or hopping impatiently all around the snake.

Lakshmi laughs and flips a coil lightly onto the kooshkie sled, "May I?"

The driver doesn't seem to be protesting … but then, it's hardto make out much of anything the Nohbakim is saying.

Lakshmi starts carefully sliding her weight evenly onto the sled… although she suddenly gets a thoughtful glance, looking down at the sand, and moves much more rapidly after that, until she's completely off the sand and on the sled.

The kooshkie sled driver suddenly lets out a loud cry, as the kooshkie sled tilts dangerously to one side … then slams back down when the snake's weight is fully upon it.

Skye watches quietly, before looking back to Fenter. "Excuse me, are t'ere more of t'ose, or are we supposed to be getting a ride on one of t'e sleds?"

Fenter nods to Skye. "I believe shoes would be rather useful, unless you'd rather sink to your death or something unpleasant like that. There's a few patches of good ground here and there to set up camp, but most of it is sinkable. We're on the edge of the Sea of Sand after all."

The kooshkie driver makes many more wild gesticulations and blathering chatter, then turns around and snaps his reins. "Hooska, kooshkies!" The round creatures bound about, then dive into the sand and start tugging the little craft back toward the larger sled that was just dumped off of the trireme.

Lakshmi calls thoughtfully, "Er… Mage Fenter, do we have to worry about those sharp-toothed fish here?" She adds to the kooshkie sled driver, "I'm terribly sorry… There, let me get lower and more spread out – that should help?" She settles so she can watch (with avid interest) just how the kooshkies are driven.

The raccoon chatters sets his poles down and takes a moment to dig through a crate until he pulls out two pairs of mismatched shoes. He hands them to the Skreek and the Hekoye. "There you go."

The kooshkie driver has hands full with multiple reins, jerking and agitating the lines, urging the two lines of kooshkies this way or that. At last, the kooshkies come to a halt next to the cargo sled, and the driver reaches over to drag it a little closer, then chatters with some gestures toward the second sled.

"I believe the storm keeps them out, Madame Lakshmi," Fenter shouts back at the Nagaette. "Some small ones might be hiding in the sands, but they won't do more than nip your toes. Good incentive to wear shoes!"

Lochinvar takes the "pair" of sandshoes, looking at them with some disdain, unsure if they'll fit his type of feet.

The opening in the shoe where one places a foot looks to be adjustable. It could probably be made to fit anything from a Zelak to a Zerda.

Lakshmi is obviously enjoying her impromptu ride tremendously – She laughs delightedly over her shoulder at Fenter's words, "But I have no toes to worry about!" She turns back, beaming, to observe with fascination as much of the kooshkies, their harnesses, and the driver's driving technique as she can.

Giving the odd footgear an equally odd and measuring glance, Skye snares the two which would come closest to a matched pair. If, of course, the Nohbakim actually had matched sets of feet. Walking down, he then sits upon on the edge of the gang plank, he takes a moment to figure out how to put them on. Once satisfied, he stands, and attempts to walk out into the sand …

It looks like Skye may have to practice a bit. As he steps out onto the sand, it seems as though he's put a little too much weight on one single shoe and it starts to sink, and then the other foot sinks into the sand as he tries to free the other… Next thing you know, the Skreek is stuck up to his shins in the sand. It looks like the shoes worked, but only about a foot below the sand.

The kooshkie sled, now stopped by the empty sled dumped off of the trireme, sits there as the driver reaches out with a hooked stick to snare a towline on the second sled.

Lakshmi watches the kooshkie driver's actions carefully, unsure what the driver's up to and not wanting to pitch the sled off balance with any sudden actions.

Skye blinks. He ooooshes. He blinks again. He oooshes again. He stands still, straightening out his long whiskers with one paw, his strangely shod feet no longer in view, and most certainly no longer making any progress. Maybe we should camp right here.

The Hekoye fiddles with his own footwear for a bit, and looks down at Skye's progress. Draping the shoes by the laces over his shoulder, Lochinvar takes to the air and flies down to where Skye is stuck. "Grab hold," he tells the Skreek.

The driver pulls the second sled up close, then sets down the hooked stick. The driver then starts pushing against the snake (a vain effort if ever there was one), as if trying to roll the reptile onto the second sled.

Shrugging, Skye looks across to the train of sleds, his desert reverie broke as Lochinvar arrives. "T'anks." Reaching up, he grabs firmly hold.

Lakshmi chuckles, and cautiously slithers across to the other sled, keeping her weight as low and even as she can so neither sled pitches. She settles on the second sled carefully. "There we go… better?"

The kooshkie driver nods, perhaps satisfied (hard to tell with no face to see), and then links the hooked stick to the first sled. The kooshkie sled starts moving again, Lakshmi's sled in tow.

Lakshmi wheeeees! happily as they coast along.

Fenter whistles to himself as he tromps down the gangplank with his poles in hand. He walks across the sand as though he were managing himself on normal solid ground.

Lakshmi giggles and waves to Skye and Lochinvar!

Meanwhile, the winged Coyote manages to pull the trapped rat out of the sand. His feet dangle about a foot above the sinking sands as the coyote hovers.

The Hekoye's wings flap, giving him a little more altitude over the sand, and Lochinvar flies, along with Skye, over to the sled with Lakshmi.

Skye looks up. "T'e sled wit' boss'Laks'mi might be a good place to leave me, yes?"

Lakshmi calls happily, "That would be fine! Just lower him in the center of it, please, so I can catch him?"

Lochinvar lowers the Skreek to the deck of the sled, and then lands himself a moment after.

The explorers do a wide circuit around the tree-tower. As they do so, they can see that on the south side is a gap in the roots where there is a door fashioned of amber. All about the roots, there are plants growing, in spite of the desert sands. On the east side, the plants are dominated by some fairly nasty looking thorns. On the north edge, there's a gap where a very large flower (about as large as Lakshmi's sled) is visible, its petals flush with the sand, and with no sign of a stalk. The west side is dominated by more tangled vegetation and what looks a lot like a Xenean Man-Eater.

At last, the group comes to a halt at a cluster of the roots on the south side, at a safe distance from the Man-Eater or the tangling vines.

There, tents are pitched, supplies are towed aside, and the edges of "solid" sand are carefully staked out with poles, so that it's evident where the Sea of Sand starts up again.

The boughs of the tree, thankfully, provide some shade from the blistering sun, though it's still quite hot out here – as would be expected in the desert.

The raccoon sets up some of his own poles in a rough circle around the camp, taking several minutes to mutter over them before moving to the next in line.

Lakshmi curls up neatly out of the way after she's helped pitch camp, writing furiously in her journal, an absorbed expression on her face. She's having a wonderful time so far!

It is a well-practiced matter, as Skye sets up camp, settling their gear in against the vagrancy of wind, weather … and with Fenter's advice, magic too. Finished, he carefully walks the edge of the desert sea, before moving back to the safer roots. As Lakshmi scribes, Skye looks up and down the tree and its swallowed tower. His own heart skips, as he can't help but try and find a path up into the high branches. It takes a deep breath … a real deep breath … to bring his gaze back down. Moving closer, but still at a distance, Skye crouches, making his first examination of the overgrown stonework and the amber door.

On the south side, it looks as if the tree has wept sap that has solidified into amber … and set into the trunk is a door fashioned of that amber, numerous runes inscribed upon its surface, and countless insects trapped inside its translucent golden surface. It's an oddly asymmetrical door, its rounded features suggesting something organic rather than that which would be built.

Lakshmi finishes scribbling and tucks the book away to slither over next to Skye. "What have you found, Skye? Anything interesting? My… this is a rather lovely door… "

The raccoon brushes his hands off and walks over to the Naga. "All done here, Ma'am. We'll be heading out soon, but they wanted me to give you one last thing."

Lakshmi puts a hand near the door, checking for heat, air pressure, anything unusual. She blinks, straightening and turning slightly to face Fenter. "Yes?"

Skye nods, his muzzle opening halfway, and then closing again as Fenter speaks. He waits.

Fenter holds his hand out to Lakshmi. Resting in his palm is… a chitin bottle cap? "I've put a good luck ritual on it. I don't know if it's useful or not, but you can never have too much luck."

The Nohbakim look as if they're gathering up their things – including some of the extra sleds, now that the supplies have been moved onto steadier ground.

Lakshmi accepts the little bottle cap, looking at it closely. She looks up at Fenter and smiles. "You and the Nohbakim wanted me to have this? Thank you! That's very sweet of you all." She looks down at herself, then sighs softly, "I'm sorry, I don't have anything nice to give in return, Fenter… Well, how's this? If you're ever in need of a nice, well-trained animal, please do look me up?" She looks up and waves, calling to the Nohbakim with a smile, "Thank you all so much!"

The kooshkie sled pulls up, and the driver calls out to Fenter. (One can tell, because the driver yells, "FENTER!")

Lakshmi adds curiously to Fenter, "How should we call to be picked up, please?"

"Well, the Temple actually. And it's no trouble, since I got to drink what was in the bottle for the bargain." The raccoon winks and then starts off. "My ride calls. Good luck! Er… picked up? You should have some flares, and a ship should be here regardless in two weeks to replenish your supplies."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Excellent." She waves as they leave, "Thank you again! Safe trip!"

Nodding, Skye looks back to the mage. "Thank yi, yi'onor … but before yi go, t'ose scribblings, on t'e door, do t'ey mean anyt'ing? … Oh my. Well laddie, watch thine back, an' may yi fortune be as good as t'e one yi promised boss'Laks'mi!"

Fenter starts to trudge towards the sled again, although this time his steps aren't as nimble and one of his feet momentarily gets caught in the sand. He pauses halfway along his trip and squints back at the runes, momentarily forgetting that he's slowly sinking. "Let's see… they look to be written in a couple of languages." He clears his throat. "It says: 'Enter by amber and stay in my chamber. Enter by wood, if you know what is good. But if you can't, then enter by plant.'"

Lakshmi studies the door carefully, listening to the raccoon mage as well.

Upon closer inspection, shadows can be seen deeper within the amber … deeper than the thickness of a normal door would allow. There's a form that looks like a Khatta in robes. Another resembles a ragged Zerda. A few more are horribly misshapen but still humanoid creatures, having a mish-mash of seemingly random features: One looks like a cross between a Naga, a Fox and a horrib. Another looks like a short Jupani with three arms, three eyes and three ears. Another looks like a furry Zelak with a Vartan's beak and ears of a Zerda. In any case, they look to be quite dead, emaciated faces frozen in expressions of alarm, and they are also quite trapped, deep within the amber.

Lakshmi murmurs softly under her breath, "Oh my… let's not go through the door, I think."

The Chaos Mage struggles to free his feet and then wanders the rest of the way to the sled. He waves to Lakshmi with a floppy sleeve and then settles himself in.

The Skreek shakes his head. "… and stay in my chamber … "

The kooshkie driver yells, "Hooska, kooshkies! Hooska!" And with that, the spherical creatures dive into the sand and haul the sled away at a quick clip, headed for the sand trireme.

Lakshmi straightens to wave cheerfully at Fenter and the departing folks, avidly observing the kooshkies until she can't see them any more… then she carefully tucks the bottle cap into a belt pouch (with a small chuckle) and happily turns back to her study of the door. "So! I wonder what languages these are?"

The door doesn't do anything, although the dead Zerda trapped inside glares balefully at the Naga from its amber prison.

A few slight gusts of wind fan Lakshmi and Skye as Lochinvar lands behind them. "Well," he says, catching his breath, "trying to reach the upper levels of the tower by wing would be asking for injury."

Skye looks up the side of the tree. "W'at is t'e problem, yi'onor?"

Lakshmi looks around. "Is there a twig or something handy that you can see, Skye? Something we can gently poke the door with? Hello, Lochinvar! I think we're going to have to climb. From the message on this door… it looks like the amber traps those who attempt to enter within it. I was just thinking of a cautious test of our theory."

Meanwhile, the kooshkie sled's passenger stumbles his way up the gangplank. The gangplank is withdrawn, as the last of the crew are aboard, and the kooshkie sled circles a couple of times as the trireme's sails fill out again, catching the wind.

"The winds up there. Dangerous currents," the Hekoye answers to Skye, then looks over to the Naga, and hrms at the door himself, reading to see if Lakshmi's assertion is correct.

The trireme starts moving, slowly lifting up onto its shriken-jaw skis … and then it begins a slow turn, moving out of sight as it makes a wide curve around the tree-tower.

Skye shakes his head, looking once over his shoulder as the trireme vanishes into the swirling storm. "No, Laks'mi. T'at's t'e best way to get yiself 'urt." He looks up to Lochinvar. "Are t'e winds as strong close to t'e tree itself? Per'aps we climb."

"Ah!" says Lakshmi, picking up a long twig. Then, she glances at Skye. "Oh, I don't want to touch the door myself. I just want to see if it gives gently, like unsolidified amber. That would explain the people within it. They pushed gently in, then couldn't pull back out. I'll be careful, and keep my fingers well away from any contact with the amber."

Lakshmi absently waves one last time to the departing trireme, smiling. Kooshkies look like too much fun!

Skye shakes his head, quietly. "Laks'mi, I wouldn't. Period. It'd be like trying to pet … one of t'e Nohbakim's fish.

The Hekoye looks up from reading the inscriptions on the door, and nods to Skye. "I believe that climbing would be safe, though the higher you go, the more intense the winds." He then turns to look at the Naga. "I agree with Skye there."

Lakshmi looks disappointed. "You think so?" She sighs softly, studying the door. "What a shame… I would so like to test the theory… ah well." She smiles, dropping the twig and looking at their pile of supplies. "Well then… we should prepare to climb, yes?"

Skye nods quietly, taking a long set of steps backwards, careful not to walk past the barrier poles. As he does, he looks up, looking for the best route up the oversized tree. He takes his time, comparing the ascent with their available rope.

Lakshmi slithers back to next to Skye, also looking up. "Several stages, perhaps?"

Skye nods. "Several stages, wit' an extra rope for safety. See, look … " Skye points out up to the base of the stone tower. "See t'ose branches, t'ey's moving at a fair clip, an' it's a good question if t'ey will even support yi weig't. Up by t'e second floor, t'at's even more dangerous. I t'ink I could make it, or give it a try. Enuff to see if t'ere is any sign of door or window … for t'ere certainly isn't one 'ere. I could climb, and per'aps let down a rope t'at would support yi, an' also to serve yi'onor t'ere."

Lakshmi smiles at Skye. "If I can curl around anything, or even mostly wrap a coil along a side of it, I can hang on quite strongly, Skye. It might be better not to trust all my weight to a rope, in fact."

Lochinvar looks up, then looks back at the writing on the door. "'If you can't, enter by plant'," he muses out loud. "There might be another way."

Lakshmi glances at Lochinvar. "I'm not sure the plant entrance would be wise, all things considered… If the door, the wood, and the plant all allow entrance, but only one of them is categorized as 'good'… wouldn't that one seem the safest means of entrance?"

"That might be the safest, yes," Lochinvar answers, "but the way I read the text, it sounds like the 'plant' entrance is also quite viable."

Skye nods quietly, "Tat would be true. But by t'e same reasoning t'en, t'e best entrance might also be t'e most dangerous to get to."

Lakshmi asks curiously, "Do you translate it differently than Fenter, Lochinvar?"

Lochinvar adds to his comment, though sounding a little unsure of having to say it, "I mean no disrespect, Madam Lakshmi, but it sounds also like the plant entrance could be more suited to someone of your … physique."

"I wasn't here when he made his translation," the coyote replies simply.

Lakshmi smiles. "'Madam' is a Rephidim term and I'm not even sure if it translates precisely to the Tongue. 'Master' is the title I've earned. Why don't you use that instead of a foreign title that I've not earned? And Fenter's translation was as follows – " She pauses a moment, thinking, then recites, "'Enter by amber, stay in my chamber. Enter by wood if you know what is good. But if you can't, enter by plant.'"

The Hekoye nods. "I read those words too. To me, it implies that if you are unable – or may find it difficult – to climb, there is an alternative."

Crossing his arms, Skye considers. "This is 'ow I see it. T'e door, being t'e simplest to get too, is a 'ungry trap. T'e best way to our final destination is t'at-away … " He nods up the tree, up into the branches. "But since it is t'e most direct way to our final destination, it's also t'e most dangerous. T'e last door is probably 'idden behind some less dangerous plants … But realize, we would be entering 'ere, at t'e bottom of t'e tree. Getting up t'e inside of t'e tree to t'e tower will 'ave its own 'azards. 'Ow did we say it as kits? Three glasses of gutter beer, each will make yi sick in its own way, and it's yi own choice on just 'ow sick yi want to be?

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Interesting. I heard the quote as 'enter by wood if you know what's good'… but if you don't know what's good, then enter by plant. Um… I admit I'd rather trust myself to a climb where I can see what may be coming at me, than being swallowed by some plant? Naga can actually climb quite well, if slowly… There's lots of length down our bellies and tails to grab with, after all."

Lakshmi sighs, staring up the tree, "However… I must admit I have no personal experience in doing so… "

Skye looks back to Lochinvar. "Yi word on this, or do yi still t'ink t'e plant entrance is best for boss'Laks'mi?"

Lakshmi murmurs dryly, "I think we try an experiment first, before I go slithering down anything's maw… "

Skye looks back. "W'at sort of experiment?"

"If you are comfortable with the idea of climbing, then we will climb," says Lochinvar, then looks back to Skye. "I believe it's a reasonable alternative, yes."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Hm… perhaps we could try lowering something down the plant first, to see what reaction, if any, the plant has?"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "A branch, perhaps? Something that hopefully will trigger any nasty defensive reactions the plant has?"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "While we're at a safe distance?"

Folding his fingers together Skye stretches, his knuckles crackling. "Let me give it a try, yes? At least, if I fall, it'll be doing somet'ing I love…

Lakshmi gives Skye a shocked look. "Certainly not!! I am not going to experiment with a living being!!"

Lochinvar looks at Skye, confused. "You like falling?"

Skye shakes his head, "Of course not. I like climbing … and … " The Skreek stops then, turning to Lakshmi. "Yi … yi don't t'ink I was suggesting being swallowed by a plant?"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "I should hope not!" She still sounds a little shocked. "I just wanted to lower a branch, Skye!… on a piece of rope!"

Looking between Lakshmi and Lochinvar, Skye holds up both his paws, one to each of them. "Wait a 'eartbeat. I t'ink we are speaking cross purposes 'ere. I t'ink yi'onor Loc'invar an' me are t'inking of climbing t'e tree … Yi are still considering t'e plant door, boss'Laks'mi?"

"I said that I will climb the tree if that's what's decided," says the coyote, "However, we were talking about testing for any kind of trap at the 'plant' entrance."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Oh!" She looks relieved. "All right, trying climbing the tree is fine, Skye… and I'd still like to try the experiment with the plant, if that's all right with you both?"

Skye nods. "T'at's fine. Now t'at we are strai't. An I t'ink we s'ould try your experiment before I 'ead up t'e tree. And w'ile yi set up yi trick, I can get a better look at t'e path up.

Lochinvar says, "Sounds fine to me, Skye."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Excellent. Lochinvar, you're going to have to conduct the experiment, with Skye watching, since I can't easily climb around the tree, nor move across the Sea of Sand. I'll tie a long branch to a rope, and then the two of you can lower it into the plant. Make sure you're both someplace secure and out of reach, so you can't, say, be snapped up or yanked in should the plant prove aggressive. You'll want to not use our longest rope either, since we don't want to potentially lose it all. Sound viable to you both?"

"I was going to suggest that I try the experiment myself anyway," says the Hekoye, and starts to look around for an appropriate length of rope.

Slowly walking in a small arc across the camp, Skye answers with just a nod. "Say Laks'mi, w'y do we even need to lower t'e branch in? W'y can't we just t'row it?"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Because I'm curious as to whether the plant reacts passively. If it secretes something acidic, then the branch will be scarred by it. If we just threw the branch in, we'd never know."

Lakshmi gives her length a wry glance. "I can't withstand passive or aggressive attacks, I fear."

Skye dryly chitters, "Makes sense." And as Lochinvar gathers up a length of rope, Skye walks along the base of the tree, checking its bark and breadth. Once satisfied, he returns, retrieving his own little bit of gear from their shared equipment. "Ready w'en yi are."

Lakshmi has rope ready. She ties a sturdy knot to the wider end of the branch, then hands the rope to Lochinvar. "Take care, both of you. I'll be here with the medkit. If there's a real emergency, call and I'll try to get to you."

Lochinvar leads Skye around the tree, keeping a safe distance from the more dangerous variety of vegetation, to where there's what looks like a big flower with its petals flush against the sand.

Skye looks up the tree for an appropriate branch. "T'ere a branch up t'ere?"

Going around to the back of the tower (and evading various nasty-looking plants), reveals a giant flower growing in an odd way, with no visible stalk, but rather with its petals laying down flush to the sand. Far above this plant, on the trunk of the tree, can be seen a wooden door set between a couple of branches, well off of the ground.

Skye looks up to the door and down to the flower. "I 'ope t'at flower's stalk isn't coiled up beneath it, ready to spring up to us."

The Hekoye considers that for a moment. "Or spring us up there, perhaps?"

"Exactly," the Skreek agrees, nodding, "if it was a friendly plant. Yi want to try tossing the branch there, to see?"

Lochinvar coils up a bit of the rope in his hand, making sure he has good hold onto it, then tosses the branch onto the flower, letting the slack rope uncoil.

The flower head twitches … and then with a rustling sound … it begins to rise! A green leafy stalk pushes its way out of the sand, as the flower head elevates … but then the branch rolls off of the petals. The flower head slows … then descends back to the sandy floor, resting when it is flush with the ground once more.

Skye chuckles softly. "Yi were right. A lifting flower. S'all we call Laks'mi over?"

The winged coyote nods. "You want to go and get her?"

Ducking his muzzle once, Skye starts back around the tree. "T'at I can do." He keeps very wary of the more dangerous plants, curling back around towards the camp and his friend.

The camp is there just as Skye left it, although it looks a little bit like a dust storm hit it.

Lakshmi is watching warily around the edge of camp, and she watches the sand near Skye closely as he maneuvers around the tree to her. She sighs softly in relief as he lands within the circle, "Thank goodness. We had a visitor, Skye… a sand golem, I think. Fortunately it couldn't pass Fenter's circle."

Skye stops at the edge of the camp. He stops because he freezes, looking at the spray of dust, not moving a muscle, his muscles taut. As Lakshmi speaks, he relaxes, looking back quietly. "Oh. My. Well … we found w'at might be a way in. T'e flower is a lifting device, per'aps. But t'is also means I just left Lochinvar alone … outside t'e circle."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Well, as long as he stays up on the tree, like I suggested, he should be fine. Let's go… This is going to take some effort on my part, I suspect, and we've many bundles to move. Hm… Can you perhaps peg in some guide-ropes into the tree, to help us maneuver?"

Lakshmi gathers up and shoulders a large backpack as she speaks.

Skye looks at the sand and the staves and the barrier of magic. "Yi know Laks'mi, I'm definitely getting a real good impression of t'at rat'er emp'atic Rat'ani." Skye pauses, brushing his paws on his tunic. "'Owever, I t'ink we should see about entering t'e tree first?" He does, however, grab his pack before escorting Lakshmi back to the north side of the tree.

The rat and snake make it around to the north side of the tree, where a winged coyote and a large flower flush with the ground await.

Lakshmi eyes the flower a little dubiously, then carefully checks the sand around it even more cautiously.

The flower looks like a really big flower. The sand looks like sand – more or less "solid" as sand goes – and not the Sea of Sand type.

Skye snares an end of the rope and walks towards the flower. He takes a good close look at the petals before looking over his shoulder. "S'ould I try it first?"

Lakshmi takes a deep breath, then shakes her head. "No… we've gone this far together, Skye." Her nervous grin is a little lopsided as she adds, "Be a shame to break up such a team, eh?" She slithers quickly onto the plant, as evenly and low to it as she can get, before her nerves get the best of her… and she carefully stares up, not down at all!

Skye blinks, and springs after the daring snake!

The flower twitches … then, with a rustling noise, the flower head starts rising!

Lochinvar rushes for the flower … but it's already rising withouthim.

A green leafy stalk bursts out of the sand, propelling the flower up and up … until it slows to a stop as it reaches the level of a wooden door nestled between two large branches (definitely large enough for a few people to stand on), set within the bark of the tree. The wooden door has a knocker set in it, fashioned of amber, fashioned like a lion-Khatta's head, but with just one eye. In the amber lion-Khatta's mouth is a wooden ring. The amber eye is fashioned in an odd way that causes it to seem to stare at an observer, no matter where the observer is standing.

Lakshmi mutters, "Sure hope the door's not locked… "

There appears to be no sign of any lock – nor of any handle or knob, for that matter.

Lakshmi slithers off the flower and waits for Skye. Then she carefully reaches out, and raps once on the door with the wooden ring.

The lion-head knocker looks a bit annoyed as the wooden ring is used to rap against the door, but then the wooden door creaks open, revealing a room beyond.

Muttering quietly, the Skreek inspects both the door and the knocker. I always hated these knock … "Laks'mi!"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Yes, Skye?"

Lakshmi slithers in cautiously, looking around with curiosity.

Skye takes a breath, looks in and then steps in. "Yi would walk into a room full of bored Jupani guards given 'alf a c'ance, yes?"

This irregular room is hollowed out of the living wood of the tree, some of which weeps sap that trails in rivulets down to the floor and runs off into the next chamber, through a doorway. The doorway in question is flanked by two ruby statues, life-sized representations, or remote approximations, of creatures that resemble groks (quasi-insectoid "dogs" strong in hide and limb, but not in mind). While they suggest groks in proportion, they lack the smooth surfaces that describe a grok's chitinous hide, instead being covered in sharp ruby spines. One statue sits at attention at each side of the doorway, perched on short wooden "pedestals" that resemble tree trunks.

Lakshmi gives Skye a puzzled glance, "Er… what's wrong with Jupani gua – uhh… oh. Um… sorry, Skye." She looks embarrassed.

Skye stops dead. His jaw drops. "Solid … ruby?."

Lakshmi is a little startled to notice the door knocker looking annoyed… but politely says, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I won't do it again. Thank you for opening to us." She waits until Skye's all the way in the room, leaving the door open.

Lakshmi looks around the room carefully.

Indeed, the statues do resemble solid ruby. The light from the open doorway causes a dull red glow to puddle in the shadows around the statues. The light reflected from their spines dazzles across the walls.

Outside, there are scraping noises on the bark, as Lochinvarcarefully works his way up the tree, climbing rather than flying.

Shaking himself, the little black Skreek quickly regains his composure. "Quite a long way from 'ome, aren't yi, fellows?" He looks down the grok-ish protected corridor, wondering if it climbs into light … or darkness.

Through the doorway, between the ruby statues, can be seen another corridor beyond. The floor, walls and ceiling of this corridor are fashioned of amber, except for some wooden stumps that rise from the amber at irregular intervals, each having a smooth, flat surface. There are numerous bugs visible, trapped in the amber … but there are also shadows of larger creatures, some of them vaguely humanoid, that look to be caught in the amber.

The corridor is somewhat dark on the near side, but at the far side, it looks as if there is a faint light source beyond.

Skye dryly chitters, "Laks'mi, look… t'ere. T'at darker s'adow. T'at is not a bug." His words drop, serious and concerned. "Understand?"

Lakshmi nods quietly, observing carefully, then dryly notes, "Well… we know it's a good bet this tower's mage wasn't Nagai … but was rather a biped."

Skye dryly chitters, "And t'at 'is choice in decoration leaves quite a bit to be desired. And I am not going to let 'im add a Naga to 'is collection."

Lakshmi smiles warmly down at Skye, then adds quietly, "Or a Skreek, I think."

Walking almost to the entrance to the corridor, Skye looks up, checking it carefully out. He notes where there are large forms trapped in the amber, trying to see where the sap might have come from, or where it might have been hidden.

It looks like the forms trapped in the amber have sunk downward, between the wooden "stumps", or in the walls.

Sap seems to come from various possible sources. This is, after all, a giant tree.

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Hm… Skye, look at the groks. They're… not really groks. Look – they have eyes." She gently strokes a finger along the forehead of one of the statues. "See? Like they were just carved out of the ruby… They don't move at all."

Lakshmi's finger manages to touch a smooth portion on the statue's head. Fairly nimble actually, considering how many spiky bits there are on it.

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Whoever it was certainly was skilled… These are lovely representations, even if they're not completely accurate, biologically speaking. Well… so, it looks like we must go from stump to stump. Will you have any trouble jumping from each to the next?"

Skye looks up at the not-groks and nods. "T'ey said, 'new treasures'. Maybe we will find one for real. As for t'e stumps, I can try. T'e real question is, can yi?"

Lakshmi chuckles softly, "The tower, the tree, the grok-statues… they're all marvels, true. But… not really treasure, at least for me." She looks a little wistfully at the statue she's lightly rubbing the forehead of. "It's a pity to think this will all be pulled apart when we're done, for study… oh well." She smiles ruefully. "Not my tower."

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Hm… I think I can. My big worry will be how wide the stumps are, not how far apart… that, and let us hope we don't have to turn around, eh?"

*prick* Lakshmi pricks her finger on one of the sharp ridges on the ruby statue she's rubbing.

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Darnit." She puts her finger in her mouth, muttering, "Clumsy of me… "

A bit of blood glistens on the surface of the ruby statue … then it spreads … and sinks into the ruby … vanishing.

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Do you want to rope – ummm… " She stares at the statue, then says slowly, "Skye… have you ever seen a statue do that before? And, um… maybe we should get moving?"

The ruby that the statue is made of undergoes a curious transformation. The previously hard surface starts to look … wet. Liquid.

"Stump to stump? 'Ere." Skye loops one end of the rope about his waist. "Yi watch me, t'en yi follow, and I watch out for yi… " Skye stops again, freezing. "Laks'mi, t'is place is 'ungry. And never do t'at again. Yi snip yi finger, find a piece of cloth, not yi mouth … please… "

The ruby of the statue slowly becomes opaque, darkening.

Lakshmi looks chagrined. "Skye, I'm so sorry… I'll try not to assume this place isn't trying to eat us. Uhh… yes, get moving, please?"

The statue is now a dark, blood red … except the eyes, which flick open, revealing golden-orange, reptilian eyes. No, this is definitely not a grok. The "statue" makes an angry, chuffing noise.

Lakshmi takes the rope and loops the other end around her own waist, glancing nervously at the statue as she does so. When it opens its eyes she sighs softly, "I'm an idiot. MOVE, Skye!" She nudges him ahead of her, turning to block the statue from Skye. "Hurry. I'll follow."

Looking back at the beast, Skye nods emphatically. "Aye. Sure and simple." He steps up to the first stump, balanced and sure, then the next and the next and the next. Khai Lakshmi, we aren't in Rephidim anymore.

The formerly ruby statue begins to move, its head turning so that its golden eyes regard Lakshmi balefully. A long cobalt-blue tongue snakes out of its mouth, reaching up and actually licking the spot where Lakshmi pricked her finger on its shell.

Lakshmi murmurs softly, in a calm, relaxing, almost flat tone, "I know, Skye, I'm sorry… Move slowly and don't make any quick actions, please."

The creature retracts its long blue tongue, then turns about, drawing back in a crouch.

Lochinvar clambers in through the front door … just in time to see the awakened not-grok getting ready to pounce on Lakshmi.

Lakshmi continues to murmur in the same calm, relaxing voice. What she's saying doesn't seem anywhere as important as keeping that even tone as she watches the creature and waits for the stumps to be clear enough for her to slide onto.

Lakshmi manages to coil onto the first stump … but it's not quite enough to hold all of her without a coil happening to touch the amber … and where it touches, it sticks … and pulls.

Behind the creature, back at the entrance, Lochinvar makes his move, charging from behind and trying to catch the not-grok unawares.

Lakshmi mutters something unprintable under her breath, and leans forward to spread her weight across as many of the stumps as she can. She gets a good grip with her hands and coils, so a sharp jerk won't send her flying off the stumps – then starts slowly and determinedly pulling away from the amber.

Alas, the amber seems to have other ideas. Lakshmi seems to be losing a tug of war with the sticky substance.

Back in the entry chamber, the sounds of a scuffle can be heard,punctuated by the feral snarls and snaps of the not-grok.

Lakshmi hisses sharply, "Skye, quick – what dissolves tar, glue, anything you might get caught in, in Rephidim?"

Lakshmi hisses softly, "Sand? Something to soak it up maybe? What's in the room with you at the far end?"

Skye stops at the landing, turning, to check on Lakshmi's and Lochinvar's progress, his paws on the rope.

It looks from Skye's perspective like Lakshmi is still at the first stump, and part of her length is sagging into the amber. Plus, there's a big nasty creature in the roombehind her, fighting with Lochinvar. It doesn't look promising.

Skye pauses, and looks at the interior of the tree. He starts breaking off the largest interior branches and slivers of wood he can, to get long pieces, to brace a sinking snake, to spread out her weight stump to stump. He works quiet, silent and fast, before returning down the corridor after her.

The slivers of wood and branches gathered by Skye sink a bit into the amber … but it looks like, for now, he's succeeded in making a "carpet" that covers the greater part of the floor of the amber corridor (save for the part Lakshmi is covering, that is).

The not-quite-a-grok critter looks as though it's about to pounce Lakshmi, but a bolt of fur and black feathers slams into it from behind. It hisses and rears around, taking a swipe at the Hekoye that misses wildly.

Lakshmi struggles to try and roll her sinking coil onto the wooden mat Skye's made… she grits her teeth and pulls!

Lochinvar regains his balance after his attack, and whirls around to face the creature directly, trying to get do so quickly enough, before the creature can get in another swipe.

Leaning backwards with all his might, Skye pulls as hard as he can on the rope between them. Every little bit gots to help.

Fortunately, it's close to shedding season … and the desert sand does wonders for shedding. A bit of dry snake belly pulls free, revealing fresh scales underneath … and Lakshmi manages to get onto the crunchy carpet laid out by Skye. She doesn't stick or sink this time.

Lakshmi sighs, panting and leaning on the stumps for a few seconds… then as quickly and cautiously as she can, she works her way down the stumps, to get clear so Lochinvar can come through.

The amber corridor comes to a halt in a large interior chamber … The tree appears to be hollow! A winding staircase of wood and leaves spirals along the wall of this somewhat cylindrical chamber, leading up and down quite some distance. Golden and emerald light is filtered by windows of amber, or through thick green leaves. Flowers sprout from the walls, each a different color … and many sporting petals that aren't even of the same color as the next.

The air is filled with the light whispers of wind chimes and the rustling of leaves … and with diamond-clear crystal sculptures of birds in flight that hover in the void described by the walls and staircase, running down the central shaft of the sizable stairwell. The crystal birds soar on imaginary winds, circling at fixed altitudes, their paths circumscribed by the spiral staircase.

Lakshmi whirls as soon as she can and calls, "Lochinvar! It's clear – come through now!"

The monster seems to be more concerned with defending itself instead of pouncing at the Naga for now, although it's still a bit in the Hekoye's way. It crouches down again and leaps at him!

The coyote sees the move come just in time, and makes a move to sidestep out of the way.

Pulling up the rope, Skye, takes in a deep breath "Yi safe, Laks'mi? And Lochinvar?"

Lakshmi answers, panting slightly, "I'm fine – Lochinvar… He's back there. He's fighting the thing."

The creature doesn't stand a chance against Lochinvar's agile footwork. In fact, its momentum not only carries it over Lochinvar's head but also sends it sailing out the open doorway!

Skye quickly looks about.

The creature makes a loud "YALP!" as it hurtles out the door. The sounds of snapping branches and crashing can be heard far below.

Lakshmi tilts her head, listening intently… then worriedly calls, "Lochinvar?"

Stopping in his search, the Skreek's sharp ears pop up. "I t'ink t'at's beastie just took a fall?"

Lakshmi sighs in relief and sags into a tired, sore heap of coils, "Thank goodness."

The winged Hekoye peers out of the open door down at the creature, and makes his way back to Lakshmi and Skye. "In some ways now, I guess that it was fortunate that you went on ahead of me," he comments.

Skye looks back, leaning on a long splinter of wood that he found. "Then come on up. I t'ink yi will find t'is interesting."

Lakshmi looks down at her torn belly scutes. "Um… I'll take your word for it. Thank goodness I was due to shed soon." She sighs gustily, smiling wryly. "Ouch. I got… very lucky." She looks up, and hisses to both of them, "Thank you both. I am extremely sorry I endangered you both. I'll try not to do it again."

The threesome stand partway up a spiraling staircase that makes wide curves around a tall and wide cylindrical chamber that takes up what seems to be the bulk of the hollow interior of the tree.

Skye dryly chitters, "Actually, we 'ave t'e most simple question before us." The Skreek shrugs. "Up or down. For me t'e answer is always … up."

Lakshmi looks around, finally noticing her surroundings, and takes a slow breath. "Oh… how… lovely… "

"I think that 'up' is going to be a fairly common answer on this venture, Skye," says Lochinvar. "There's still a fair deal of tower above us."

Skye nods, and carefully starts making his way up the circular stairs. "A 'Ekoye after my own 'eart… "

As the Skreek starts heading up the stairs … Lakshmi and Lochinvar find themselves, curiously enough … heading down.