Book One – Chapter 12

The only man-made addition amidst this natural wonder was the stool Faroah had brought with him. It was a neat little wooden construction that could be folded, with a sheet of leather stretched between the beams. Placed seemingly at random, it seemed out of place and utterly insignificant amidst the temple’s grandeur. To Faroah, however, it offered a welcome respite during his days of sweeping. Since he never had the opportunity to ask, he felt it would be impolite to occupy the grand thrones and elaborate stone benches that once hosted legendary kings and warriors. He had yet to find a fragment of past where one dwarf said to the other, You know, I wouldn’t mind if a wizard sat here. In fact, if one ever wanders into here long after we are gone, he has my blessing.

The alcove harboured a crystal altar, flanked by four carved stone benches curving around its perimeter, all facing the central altar. The crystal formations marked the end of a natural vein that protruded from the wall, extending freely through the air before winding its way into the ground. Meticulously carved into intricate windings, the crystal altar captured and refracted the ambient light emanating from Faroah’s floating orb, casting captivating reflections throughout the alcove.

“It is unparalleled craftsmanship,” Faroah remarked as the young witch halted a few steps behind him. His voice resonated through the temple hall with a commanding presence, masterfully amplified by the acoustics of the sacred space. There was no distortion or echo; every word reverberated clearly, reaching even the furthest corners of the hall. Any dwarf, even those standing all the way back at the entrance, would hear him clearly. “The dwarven art of shard cutting rivals even the finest glass magic. If you look closely, you will recognise a small fissure of mountain blood running through the center of the crystal vein.” He pointed it out, guiding Samasira’s gaze to the most prominent section. The crystal shimmered in dark hues of ash. There was no dust here; Faroah had thoroughly cleaned the entire structure, beginning from this very spot where they now stood. This was also where he had begun his sweeping.