Chapter Text
With the words Sliske had whispered to her still whirling round her thoughts, she'd almost cancelled her visit to Ardougne. She didn't, though. She'd made a promise to that excitable young archaeologist when he'd practically ambushed her in Varrock Museum, and as grating as he might be, it would be cruel to abandon him.
(Besides, she was interested in his findings too. She'd felt a sense of connection like nothing before when walking through that ancient Guthixian temple, and she was eager to discover more.)
Still... Sliske's words. "See you there." She found herself peering at every shadow, worrying that one might coalesce into his form and snatch her away to that lifeless realm.
"Doktin?"
She'd lost concentration again. Orlando Smith had probably been talking, or performing some incomprehensible archaeological function and expecting her to follow -- whatever it was, her worry had drowned it out.
"I can't get the door open," he called.
Oh. Well, helping with that would be easy enough.
Strong double doors, decorated with green inlay, barred access to whatever Orlando had discovered. They looked heavy, but it barely took more than a touch from Doktin for the ancient doors to open out.
Orlando stared. "I took a crane to those!"
"Fremennik strength!" She flexed, with a grin masking her confusion. That had been far too easy.
Regardless, the doors were open. Doktin could barely see what lay inside... and yet there was a compulsion to step within.
She could hear a trickle of water inside; a breeze blew at her back, almost nudging her in. One step, then another. Doktin entered the first chamber.