Chapter 10.4
Katashi looked at the lower door, knowing Jaala chose it as less likely to force a confrontation with their pursuers. Then he looked at the other doorway, knowing it was the way, feeling it tugging at him. As the beasts were almost upon him he yanked open the lower door and followed Jaala. Not because he wanted information, but because they were daishō. Paired blades. Separated, they were vulnerable. Together, indomitable. Besides, he was not one to thwart the turning of the wheel.
As Katashi bounded down the torchlit hallway, he wondered at the faces on the outside of the tower. The first had clearly been the Earth Elemental, yet what was the significance of the ancient totem?
Almost crashing headlong into Jaala, he leapt at the last moment and cleared the former monk, narrowly avoiding dashing his brains out on the low rock ceiling. “What are you doing!?”
Jaala held up his hand for silence. Katashi listened, realizing they were not pursued.
“Yes,” said Jaala, reading Katashi’s face, “but why?”
“Likely some greater evil,” commented Katashi, ever the warrior.
“Perhaps.” Jaala rose grinning. “Let’s find out.” And with that the stout man continued on.
