I reached the top of the Crystal Tower nearly a day and a half after I started out climbing its side. Night had found me clinging to the side of the crystal with the new climbing claws, and using them more frequently then I would have in my youth, to rest. I quickly managed to find a way to rig a sort or sling which I used to rest my arms and legs. I managed to use my silk rope to create a sort of seat which I attached to two of the claws, which would bind to the sides of the crystal when the word was spoken to activate them. The night was spent that way, or at least most of it, clinging to the side of the crystal and trying to get feeling back into my arms and legs. What little water and food I had left on me I ate that night while I waited for my strength to return.

      Another day was spent slowly climbing the thousand foot tall crystal tower. I had no water or food left by this time, and only paused to rest my arms and legs, moving again as soon as I could. Finally, a day and a half after I began up the side of the crystal, as the second night came, I reached the top of the Crystal. There were four entrances, as far as I could tell. One for each of the cardinal points. My best guess was that the southern one was the one through which they had taken Lord Sutton, but I truly was not sure. Only one way to find out though, and I slipped in through the large octagon opening to slump inside.

     My arms were more than happy for the rest, and my legs nearly collapsed under me as I slumped inside. I was inside a fairly large chamber, the walls constructed of the same crystal as the tower itself. There was a huge doorway across from me, leading deeper into the crystal tower. It was quite obvious, however, that the room I was in was much larger then the entire top of the crystal. By now this was the least of my worries.

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     Laureine edged her way around the sides of the bare room, avoiding the center as she regained what strength she could after that climb. The room was obviously meant to be a sort of antechamber, but had never been furnished. Luckily, or unluckily depending on your view, no doors had ever been installed either. With the blade of her sword naked and held infront of her, the elf cautiously made her way forward. What she would not give to have some way of becoming invisible at the moment. The bare walls left little place for her to hide should any come through the doorway.

     The chamber beyond was as empty as the one she had come through, although nearly twice the size. A depression in the center of it lead her to believe this was to be a gathering area of some sort, which had never been finished after the disastrous test of Taltros.

     It was in the doorway beyond that she found what she was seeking.