Zelgadis was quite disoriented. He had been following the Elder mage in silence for over an hour now, across narrow bridges of stone, down ceaseless flights of stairs spiraling ever downward. He knew that he was going to hate the climb back up. There were tapestries and frescos covering the walls everywhere one looked. The ceiling of the Temple, soaring well over 200 feet above Zelgadis' wiry head, had been painter to resemble the winter sky at night, stars and snowflakes danging, warring with one another. It had a rather chaotic effect to it. Zelgadis decided to try and focus on where he was going, but had to give up after more than twenty minutes of maze-dancing with the elder. Exhausted and on the verge of being very cranky, Zelgadis wanted nothing more tonight than a hot bath, a hot meal, and a warm bed. He figured he might not get he latter in a monastery such as this, but he would content himself with a blanket on the floor, just as long as he could get some rest.
 
 
 

"We are here." Zelgadis nearly ran smack into ShiShi as the elderly man stopped suddenly in front of him. "This will be your area for the remainder of your stay. There is a hot spring to the left of your room. You will see the bed as soon as you enter. I will have food sent to you soon. Rest well. I shall collect you in the morning and escort you to the library personally." The mage bowed deeply to the chimera and turned to shuffle on his way.
 
 
 

"Pardon, sir..."Zelgadis spoke softly. Shishi turned his head to look over his left shoulder. "But why is there no lock on this door?" The elderly man smiled, as if he were talking to a small child. He responded.
 
 
 

"We do not get many visitors here young one. Those that are capable of making the journey are worthy of our hospitality and our trust. Most people will live their lives in ignorance of our existence. Those that leave here often decide to keep our existence a secret from the rest of the world. We are mages and monks, not teachers or all powerful sorcerers. We don't desire any trouble form the outside world. Nor do we desire attention. I am sure that you have heard we turn some away from our gates?" Shishi paused, waiting for Zelgadis affirmation. When the chimera nodded, he continued. "Those were the people who cheated in their journey to our Temple, taking shortcuts and using magic extensively to make their journey faster, easier, more convenient. These people do not deserve to enter our Temple. They are not strong. You yourself are quite impressive. You only used a simple flight spell to carry yourself across the lake. You are worthy. Those that are worthy of our trust, do not need locks on their doors." The elderly man smiled and shuffled down the hall, leaving Zelgadis to enter the room of his own free will.
 
 
 

Shaking his head, the weary chimera enter the room and closed the door behind him without a second thought. If the mage said this place was safe without locked doors, he had to believe him. Zelgadis also believed that there were not many people who would be willing to make the journey to this temple. If worse were to come to worse, he always had his magic and his sword to protect himself with. Taking a deep breath, Zelgadis let his eyes adjust to the dim light of the room.
 
 
 

Taking a quick look around, Zelgadis noticed that even this apparent `guest' room was as lavishly decorated as the rest of the temple. The walls to the right were ornately carved into figures of ancient gods, and some of the most exquisite dragons that Zelgadis had ever seen. Directly in front of him, hanging over a sleeping pallet, was a huge tapestry depicting a winters day. The sky was a bright blue. A lake was frozen over and dusted with fresh snow. There was a huge crystal dragon flying overhead, reflected on the clear ice. Mountains, kissed by clouds, could be seen faded in the background. Zelgadis had never seen such an incredible tapestry in his life. It must have taken years of work by a master weaver to have accomplished something like this. He was impressed at the incredible beauty of something that was so delicate. To his left there was a narrow tunnel, through which Zelgadis could hear the running and bubbling of water. Evidently, when ShiShi had said that there was a hot spring to the left of his room, he had meant that quite literally.
 
 
 

Zelgadis still could not bring himself to relax fully in the room. There was something that just did not bode well with the chimera. What bothered him the most was that he could not put his finger on what was bothering him. He decided to chalk it up to nerves.
 
 
 

*Ah Zel. You are simply being silly. The stress and work of the day has taken its toll. I just need a good rest is all. A nice long soak in the hot spring should help matters along nicely. I wonder when the food will get here? I'm going to have to take a nice long look at that tapestry over there sometime tomorrow. It's amazing. I wonder what the others are doing now? Probably yelling. Likely fighting over food. Always something with them. Never quiet. Silence really seems to bother them. I should wait for the food to come before I get into the hot spring. Then again, I have no idea how long it will take to get here. Might as well get clean. I smell something horrible. And it's me.*
 
 
 

Chuckling to himself, Zelgadis made his way into the darkened tunnel to find his bath. Unseen eyes watched him from far below. Mirrors do more than reflect after all.