As Venorel rounded a bend in the passage, crystal brightness appeared. The passage opened to an area that must have collapsed in the earthquake that was said to have originally opened the dead end Labyrinth's passageways around Yliakum. Venorel would soon have travelled full circle; she would soon be home.
She picked up here pace, now surrounded by the full crystal's light. Picking her way up a rise created by the rubble of the fall-in of the ancient earthquake, she came at last to another tunnel entrance where the quake had not caused a collapse. To the left of that new passage carved into the rock face was an elaborately engraved arch cut into the cliff face. Huge wooden gates had been built to fill the arch. They were closed. Carved into the cliff face, above the gates, were archer's windows. Ven noticed movement at one of them and knew that her approach had been monitored. When within bow shot of the gate the challenge finally came.
"Who goes there?", came a call from an archer's window.
"Venorel Weruno, returning home after six long cycles.", called back Ven.
"By the Gods!", came the startled reply, "Ven, is that really you?"
There was no mistaking that voice; even after all this time.
Laughing merrily, Ven called back, "Tis I, Hareneg Lereli! Now open the gate you lazy Stonebreaker!"
She thought she heard a chuckle yet could not be sure. Yet soon the gates began swinging wide. Venorel had come home.
