What ever had hit her at the Portal was surely the work of her least worthy opponent, the Ghoul that had been on her trail for some time. It was behind her she knew, someone had forced the door not long before but if the undead thing was in the lead then it would have no need to place a trap on the door. It sought to punish her, detain her and then slay her. She continued in haste, the Unicorn was letting the Prophetess take the lead; he had no notion of what to do in this unnatural piece of the world.

She looked at the Unicorn with a sweet smile and was about to speak, not knowing if the beast even understood her, when a faraway look came to its eyes. It tossed its main, snorted and cantered about as if in a struggle and then it bound back towards the Portal. She was dismayed, angry and hurt.

Why had her stalwart companion suddenly deserted her? Surely not fear of this place, something had taken it from her and she did not need to guess as to whom.

The Unicorn came bounding to him, blank eyed. The beast was his now, the supernatural formulae that he had devised had overthrown its will and he could now use its abilities for his gain, it was helpful that it diminished the woman that opposed him as well. The Portal closed behind him and he prepared for his last mighty push. He was behind in this race but there was on more ‘card’ he had to play.

The Prophetess decided that it was foolhardy to turn back now to regain her friend. She would hand out some punishments in good time. She was certain that the warrior was ahead of her and she needed to get there in order to...to what? Was not the agreement that the first would retain the Crown and the other turn back forever? She had to see for herself, or so she told herself, that the warrior was indeed the Crowns rightful owner. She would go that far, she thought as she clambered through the tumbled down Crypt, be certain that it was him and not some other. She was lying to herself she knew but she did not care. Then she came to a table on a plateau of bone and all thoughts of the future fled her mind for a time.