The Black Steel are in Garth Agarwen, at an area with a large, raised stone dais and surrounded by knee deep, blood red water. They have just fought a strange wight, that echoed their words and wouldn’t seem to go do despite being hit repeatedly. Yet after taking many blows at once, it exploded into many pieces. Now Caithryth rolls around onto her back, spitting some of the red water out, holding her forehead with her right hand. "That was... a big one,” she says in reference to the wight, which had knocked her and a few of the others back forcefully enough to send them a few metres back and under the water. Caithryth looks at Lheuwen, who is standing the closest to her, and lamely raises her empty left hand towards the Dunnish woman, before looking at her raised hand with a curious expression. She seems to be quite absorbed with studying her fingers. Lheuwen looks at Caithryth with a confused expression, clearly not understanding what the Gondorian is doing with her hand aloft. Caithryth ignores Lheuwen’s confused stare at her, too entranced with her own hand. She does, however, after a few moments, get up again, though and after rubbing her forehead, begins to take stock of her environment.
Carmillia would make a small shriek, thrashing about as she manages to pull herself out of the water. Filled with pure terror of the liquid, she rushes up the stairs, past Lheuwen and Caithryth, and stay sits huddled on the top of them, a fearful expression on her face. She rocks back and forth, mumbling over and over, "I hate this place. I hate this place!" Arthasdir’s eyes follow Carmillia as she sprints to the top of the stairs, frustration evident on his face. Then, the sound of laughter reaches the clearing – it sounds female, but at the same time wicked and twisted. Arthasdir looks around, as the laughter may be Domruth appearing to fight them, his blades still ready.
Mornenion, who stands away from the main group, on a small staircase that rises up in a small passageway that leads further into the ruin, raises a brow, looking about for the source of the laughter, somewhat concerned in his expression. However, he cannot see anything from where he stands and nor can Arthasdir, who stands at the stairs up to the dais. As he cannot see where the laughter is coming from, Mornenion tries to listen to the laughter to see if he can hear the direction it is coming from. There is silence again. Nothing can be heard but the sounds that they make. With annoyance, Arthasdir says, 'Where is this bitch?'
Lheuwen, who did not seem to be paying attention of the laughter, calls to the elf, her eyes on him, "Is there a way onward behind you?" Mornenion would sigh, then looking to Lheuwen, "Yes, I believe it is." Meanwhile, Caithryth walks over to Arthasdir and kneels down, to search for her sword in the muck and remains of the undead. Lheuwen shrugs rather theatrically, "Shall we try it?" Mornenion looks behind him to the pathway, then back to the men, “Yes. There is no reason to turn back.”
Arthasdir says somewhat sarcastically, “Unless you want to face that horde outside…” He turns, crossing towards the steps on which Mornenion stand, the way forward. Caithryth finally finds her weapon again and tries to clean it somewhat in the water, making quite a face of disgust. Lheuwen beckons to Carmillia, hoping that that will simply break her out of her fit of terror and get her to follow. Caithryth then joins Mornenion and Arthasdir on the stairs and the three start moving forward, believing that Lheuwen and Carmillia are following behind. Yet, Carmillia is too wracked with fear to move. Caithryth realises this and turns back to try to help Lheuwen persuade Carmillia to brave the water. But, Lheuwen has no more patience for persuasion; Lheuwen kicks a bit of dead body out of the water with a splash and moves to join Arthasdir and the elf. After a few words of persuasion, Carmillia looks up at Caithryth, "I am going to drown." Caithryth then suggests carrying Carmillia across the water, but Lheuwen practically shouts back, livid with frustration and in pain. "We cannot drag her you fool, there are two flights of stairs, I am injured, and you are weak!" Caithryth takes a deep sigh, realising that they will have to leave Carmillia behind if the small woman cannot face her fear. Lheuwen fishes out a limb from the water and waves it around, purely out of frustration of the situation. Carmillia, shaking with fear, stands up slowly and walks down the stairs, eyeing the water like it will bite her. Lheuwen drops the limb with a splash and follows the others, not waiting any longer for Carmillia.
Lheuwen walks at a brisk pace and catches up with Mornenion and Arthasdir, who have walked some way during the fiasco with Carmillia. Another gate lays ahead, this time open. past it. More ruins and more silence. After a few moments and some careful listening, the three hear sounds of fighting in the distance. The sounds are faint: obviously they are far. Mornenion raises a brow, speaking lowly, "I hear fighting. We should move fast to see what is going on." He starts walking at a brisk pace towards the sounds. Arthasdir moves just behind Mornenion, his blades held firm.
Back at the clearing with the ruin, Carmillia places one foot into the water and then the second, trying her best not to hyperventilate. Caithryth mumbles something, seeming displeased with the fact that Carmillia is so petrified of water, but not of much scarier things such as wights or evil witches like Domruth. Carmillia quickly makes her way to the other stairs, grimacing as if she is pain as she walks through the water. Caithryth follows, making sure the small woman doesn’t freak out and shut down again. Once they reach the stairs, Carmillia rushes out and starts running in the direction that the rest one. Caithryth sighs, moving after the impulsive young woman.
The two catch up with those that were ahead. Seeing them arrive, Lheuwen calms down a little, addressing Caithryth, "Good work. Thank you." A little sarcastically, Caithryth says, “Thanks for waiting.” Lheuwen adds, also somewhat sarcastically, “Phew. No more water.” Carmillia, seemingly ignoring the sarcasm directed at her stalling, sighs in relief what Lheuwen said.
The ruins around them reach as far as the eye can see but now there are no more sounds. Mornenion peers down the split paths each, before deciding to move down the right.
Lheuwen says, not realising that Mornenion has already chosen a path, “I can see nothing from here. Which way do we go?” She peers through an archway but still can't see far. Then, she realises that Mornenion would already be walking ahead down the right path and so everyone follows after him. As they walk, Carmillia mutters, “I am sorry for my cowardness.” Lheuwen looks down to Carmillia, expression softening, speaking quietly, “And I am sorry I got angry. You are not really a coward. Anyway, you have conquered your fear now.” Lheuwen then starts to walk ahead and when she is out of earshot, Carmillia whispers to herself, “I am not sure about that.”
The sound of two swords hitting each other reaches their ears, it sounds as if it came from the path they skipped but they can't be entirely sure. Caithryth sees an image for a moment. All of them in the distance, passing by a gate, including herself.
Lheuwen, as she moved to the front of the group, peers around the next corner carefully. The next corner is empty and has some narrow stairs. There is no movement on top of them. Lheuwen shrugs, "Nothing this way." At the sounds of the swords clashing, Mornenion looks back down towards the path they skipped. Caithryth slows down a bit, looking around. She mumbles another curse before clutching her head gently. Caithryth says, “That headache is killing me.” Carmillia stops by Caithryth, looking concerned and placing her hand on the Gondorian’s shoulder, having to reach up to do it, “Are you alright, Caith?”
Seemingly lying, Caithryth answers, “I am. Just a bit strange in the head after that blow.”
Arthasdir looks over to Caithryth with concern, “Don't make it worse.”
Whilst they talk, Lheuwen, more attentive on wayfinding, points back down to the path they skipped, “And the sound came from back that way.” Mornenion would already be looking down that way, nodding to what Lheuwen says and then speaks. “Let's go down the path we skipped then.” They all turn back and start walking back to the other pathway.
Carmillia questions as they walk, “Maybe a concussion?” Caithryth shrugs, rubbing her forehead, “Maybe,” she pauses for a moment, before muttering, “I just saw us but like from a bird's view.”
Carmillia, somewhat stupidly, looks up and around, "There aren't birds here." Caithryth giggles, somewhat, and a bit inappropriately. Caithryth exclaims as she laughs, “Only those without wings!”
Carmillia looks pensive, “When we are done here, you need to see a healer.”
As they reach the other path, Lheuwen peers cautiously around the corner again to see what she may. Mornenion also looks down the passageway with caution. They see two gates. One is open. The other closed. Lheuwen speaks as she lets out a sigh of frustration, “Not another gate...”
Mornenion raises a brow, walking towards the closed gate, “Is it open?” The others follow him into the area before the gate. Arthasdir smirks to himself under his helm. Carmillia looks concerned to Caithryth, wondering if this is the gate she had mentioned seeing. Lheuwen examines the gate for a lock or weak points in the wood, using her knowledge of timber. The gate is sturdy but there is a lock on it.
Caithryth hums, thinking back to the first gate they encountered here, “The last one got opened by those daggers. Maybe try that.”
Mornenion reiterates in slightly different words, sounding somewhat annoyed, “Maybe see if it's unlocked first.”
Lheuwen pauses, realising she’d assumed it was locked, “That is an idea actually.” Lheuwen gives the gate a push and Caithryth goes to help her push it open. But, as the Dunnish woman assumed, the gate is locked. Lheuwen looks behind at those who want there, “Anyone know how to pick locks?”
Carmillia calls out, excited that she is needed, for once, “I do!” Lheuwen beckons to Carmillia, pointing to the lock, “Have a try?”
Mornenion, who has never really liked or trusted Carmillia, looks about the area for a key or anything like the riddles they'd faced before. Yet the elf doesn’t see anything of note around.
Carmillia take out her lockpicking equipment from her arm guards and start places the pin and pick into the lock, fiddling about with them to. Lheuwen sits down to wait. She knows this can take a little time. But in no time at all, Carmillia manages to unlock the door! It wasn't that hard. She can tell that one of the hinges inside was stuck. Lheuwen jumps up with a laugh, "Nice work!" Carmillia removes the pick and pin from the door and pushes it open, “There we go.”
Caithryth says, somewhat mockingly, somewhat impressed that Carmillia actually did it, “See, and if you wouldn't have defeated the pond we'd have been stuck here until we starve!” Arthasdir folds his arms, mildly impressed.
Mornenion would step forward, the only one not impressed, "Keep moving."
Lheuwen peers around the next corner cautiously. But, Caithryth just walks forward, past the cautious Dunlending. Lheuwen mutters, in somewhat annoyance, “Nevermind.”
Caithryth points forward. "There's an open area." It is true, the narrow path widens and there are more ruins, more red, more trees and the same silence. There is the feeling of uneasiness though. Caithryth sees that she is running around the ruins. Next to her a man in black chain mail runs along. A hooded man attacks her companion and Fiontann attacks her, they fight. The pommel of Fiontann's sword hits her in the face and she sees her friends again and is back in the silence. Caithryth reaches for her forehead again as another stab of pain hits her. She groans somewhat and curls her left hand into a fist. Carmillia places her hand on Caith's shoulder once more, "Are you sure you’re alright?" Caithryth looks at her and shakes her head. "It's this place."
Lheuwen goes to explore the ruined tower to their left. Lheuwen looks around the tower for any activity, but there is none. Lheuwen comes back down, finding nothing. Mornenion would try to listen for the sounds of fighting. He does hear the sounds of fighting, but they are extremely faint and it's hard to tell where they are coming from. Mornenion would take off his hood and helmet to try to hear the sounds better. It sounds like it is far, it's not his hood's and helmet's fault. Lheuwen points ahead. "This way then?" Mornenion would put his helmet and hood back on, nodding to Lheuwen. They start walking, Arthasdir following. Caithryth and Carmillia do not however, as the thief tries to comfort the Gondorian.
Ahead of them there is water again, this time it seems deeper than before, reaching above their knees. Arthasdir looks at the water and lets out a long drawn out sigh. On the other side they see pillars and silence and no movement. But Mornenion and Arthasdir see Fiontann and a man hiding behind the pillars on the right. The man is dressed in the typical garb of the Rangers of the Third Age. Arthasdir mutters, “I know that clothing...” They seem be hiding and Fiontann sees them when he looks around. He lifts a right hand and Mornenion and Arthasdir again see that he holds a small box. He motions towards the left and him and the other man start moving again. From where he motioned come more Angmarim and chase the two and with a careful glance they all see two dead Angmarim bodies between the ruins.
A few moments later, Caithryth and Carmillia catch up with the three who walked ahead. What Caithryth sees now that she is here reminds her of what she saw earlier but his time she is from a distance, earlier she was among those ruins... Caithryth mumbles, “I've seen this before.”
Lheuwen mutters lowly, “What do we do now?”
Mornenion answers, “We go in the direction they came from. That may be where Domruth is.”
Carmillia looks annoyed at the water that is before her, as if looking at it angrily will make is scared and run away.
Caithryth says, “We certainly won't follow them.”
Lheuwen nods, “Alright then.” Lheuwen takes off in front, but then gets splashed with the red water. Lheuwen makes a face, “Ewwww!”
Caithryth raises a brow and smirks, “Too eager?”
Lheuwen says, getting over being splashed, “It's fine. I was already soaked. I might burn everything I'm wearing.”
On the ruined gazebo are two dead bodies. Carmillia wants to walk over to one of the dead bodies and scratch it for some odd reason, but she can’t, because the water is there, and she thinks that she’ll drown if she steps into it, despite braving the water earlier. Mornenion is not afraid of water and wades through it to the gazebo, searching over the first body he reaches. The Angmarim appears to have nothing on him, but Mornenion continues to look further and finds a simple key that seems to have nothing special about it. He pockets it and moves to the next body and searches it also. He finds a sharp sword. Arthasdir stands over a body, removing his helm in his palm, rubbing sweat from his brow, asking Mornenion, “Anything?”
The elf answers, “A key and a sharp sword. I've taken the key, in case we need it for a gate ahead.”
Caithryth looks at the current gate ahead, leaning against one of the pillars, the other women standing close by. Past the gate ahead is more water, clearer this time but even from a distance it seems far from inviting and sickly. Carmillia asks the Dunlending, “How is your wound, Lheuwen?” Lheuwen touches her shoulder and winces, “I am trying hard not to think about it... I hope it's... not festering. Yet. I expect it will.” Lheuwen's tone is grim. Carmillia asks to see the wound, “May I?”
Lheuwen shakes her head, “It will definitely need looking at - but when we are done here. For now, it is bandaged tight and I can use my arm - but I cannot lose much more blood.” Lheuwen then points at Caithryth, “That way?'
Carmillia inspects the bandage, seemingly without Lheuwen’s permission, "The water soaked it. We need to get this cleaned soon or it will get infected."
Lheuwen snaps at Carmillia, losing her patience, "There is a time and place. Now we have no time." Carmillia lets go of Lheuwen and take few steps back, refusing to look at her. Lheuwen carries on, feeling a bit guilty but too worn out to apologise.
Arthasdir looks over to the arguing women, then glances back at the elf, uttering, “I can't help but feel that we are very exposed here…” Mornenion stands, eyes scanning over the place and landing on the two women who argue, knowing that their bickering could draw attention to themselves, “Yes. We should keep moving.”
Caithryth looks at the others, beckoning them over with a wave of her hand. Mornenion walks over, standing behind her to take a look at what she looks at. Caithryth says, “It's open,” waving to the gate as she speaks, “for a change.” Lheuwen strides ahead, avoiding caution, eyes narrowed, spear in hand. Carmillia follows her, head hanging low with shame. Mornenion would raise a brow as Carmillia and Lheuwen walk past, waiting a moment to see if anything happens to them.
Despite the dread and the uninviting surroundings, it seems like they can walk freely ahead, nothing seems to want to stop them and nothing is moving. It's too quiet. Mornenion would, deciding that it is safe, move on after the others. Lheuwen continues cautiously, hoping that the way she walks is the right way. Caithryth watches as the path narrows and twists more, with paths jutting off to the side every now and then. She says with a little awe, “Quite the maze.” From a little way behind, Arthasdir retorts quietly, “Their maze...”
Lheuwen suddenly stumbles and falls to her knees, staring ahead blankly. Lheuwen says in barely a whisper, “I am exhausted.” Caithryth stops by Lheuwen’s side, looking down at her with concern, “Everything alright?” Carmillia remains away from Lheuwen, afraid she is still angry at her. Lheuwen remarks drily, looking to the slightly pissed off looking elf who is wandering ahead, taking a moment to look at a well-preserved statue, "Usually I follow an inspiring leader to give me strength to go on."
Caithryth throws a pose, one fist in the air, trying to look heroic, “We've got a witch to slay!” Lheuwen smacks herself in the forehead at Caithryth’s attempt to inspire her. Caithryth grins widely, continuing her sentence, “And it'll be a ton of fun.” Lheuwen forces a smile at that, “Alright then.”
Caithryth nods, looking around them at the ruin, “It's too late now to get off this wild ride anyway.”
Mornenion would look ahead, trying to determine which way to go. Arthasdir sheathes his left blade, spinning his right round with his wrist with some anger. Caithryth calls out, “Let's move on!” And so they all set off again. The company moves through the passages and it begins to feel like they have been walking in circles. Lheuwen notices this and exclaims, “We are lost.”
With a stubborn tone, Caithryth says, “No.”
Lheuwen raises a brow, looking to Caithryth before muttering, “Well I am.”
Caithryth looks up and around at the ruin surrounding them, “We are precisely where I think we area.”
Arthasdir gives a concerned look and calls her name, “Caith.”
Caithryth looks back, answering the question with an innocent expression, “Yes?”
Arthasdir says, looking around at the ruin also, “You said you had seen this before.”
Caithryth shakes her head quickly, “Not this.”
Arthasdir speak, somewhat confused, “Uh… Alright.”
Eventually, a big courtyard is revealed. It is big enough for two battalions to do battle. There is no fog and no water there. Across the gate is a fort and they can see the stairs leading deeper. In the middle of the courtyard is a round structure with pillars and burnt wood and ashes. Torn banners of Angmar fly from the walls and some other but they are torn and ancient. It's not easy to tell whose they are, though Mornenion could tell that the fragments that survive depict parts of the banner of the ancient kingdom of Rhudaur.
Lheuwen approaches the structure, shield raised, spear in hand, eyes peeled. Arthasdir looks to the centre structure, his eyes narrowed. Caithryth follows Lheuwen, while trying to keep an eye on the surroundings. Mornenion would stand back from the rest, though not straying too far from them, noting the banners and the structure. The pillars form a circle, according to the structure and the burning seems very recent. The burnt wood smells still.
Caithryth looks up to the fortress, “Maybe we’ll find Domruth in the main keep?”
Carmillia looks around, shivering and then walks up to the platform after the others, "I have a bad feeling about this place."
Lheuwen, who was too busy looking about to identify that it was Caithryth who suggest to go to the keep, asks, “Someone suggest the keep?” She walks towards it anyway. Caithryth nods, following Lheuwen up the stairs to the entrance of the kep, “Yes. I've always wanted to take a castle.” Arthasdir mutters pessimistically from the back of the group, “Let’s hope it doesn't take us...” Lheuwen, still bleeding into her bandages, enters the keep.
From up the stairs, the group see a magnificent structure. Once something more than a fort it seems. Beautiful stairs and pillars. Banners that were once clear and proud hang from each pillar and most of them have been preserved despite the time. It is all sturdy and strong by the looks of it and one can tell that it must be, as it has withstood hundreds of years at least. Lheuwen looks up at the inside of the keep in awe, muttering “Nice place.”
Caithryth shrugs, “Bit out of shape.”
Lheuwen blinks, for some reason assuming that was aimed at her, "Yes?"
Caithryth scoffs, “I meant the place, not you!”
Lheuwen forces a laugh. "I am a bit the worse for wear just now."
Caithryth smirks, “Sign of character.”
Lheuwen retorts, for some reason, “I'm not a character, I'm a real person!”
Caithryth sighs, but then explains, “Your character, I mean. Means you go in hard! A bit of recklessness goes a long way - and you tend to pay with blood. Or a headache.”
Whilst the Dunlending and the Gondorian talk, a little way back, Carmillia stands next to Mornenion, looking concerned, "I fear for Caith and Lheuwen." Mornenion would look down to Carmillia, raising a brow and looking annoyed that the thief is voicing her concerns to him, "Are they going to drop dead any time soon? As long as they don't do that, I don't really care."
Meanwhile, Lheuwen smiles at Caithryth, "That is the way of the warrior." She goes past and heads up the stairs, as if to prove a point.
Caithryth grins, “Exactly!” and then rushes to follow the Dunnish woman, “Come on, let's make mistakes.” Lheuwen nods and peers ahead for foes. The rest follow, Carmillia still trying to speak with Mornenion, “Caith is losing her mind and I fear Lheuwen’s arm is infected.” Mornenion would just shrug, asking in an irritated tone, "Does that mean they'll die soon?" Carmillia doesn’t answer that.
Caithryth stops, pointing to a large gate in front of them, “There. That huge gate. That's where the princess must be.” Lheuwen continues determinedly, spear in hand. Caithryth speaks, “Let's go and rescue her,” she pauses to smirk, “And by rescue, I mean stab.” A long pathway spreads as far as the eye can see. The gate is open and past it the eye can't see far as a red fog fills it. Lheuwen tries to bat through the fog. Carmillia tries to look up to the roof, but she can’t see it through the fog. Caithryth wafts her hand in front of her and tries to blow some of the fog away from her face, “Bad air in here.” Arthasdir breathes lowly, the air clinging to him.
All but Caithryth hear something hit the ground in the distance. By the sound of it it's metallic. A sharp sound and nothing more. Lheuwen pushes through the fog towards the sound. Mornenion would become more cautious as he can't see through the fog, readying his bow. At the sound, he starts moving forward towards it. Carmillia holds on to her dagger hilts, in case something jumped out and attacked them in the fog. As the group moves forward, the fog begins to thin. And then, from somewhere to the right Mornenion hears a female voice "The thieves! Find them!" and then everyone can hear footsteps retreating. Somewhere diagonally to their right.
Mornenion whispers to the others, “I think I heard Domruth.”
Caithryth rushes forward, “Let's get her!” Arthasdir raises his blade, calling lowly to Caithryth, “Stay together!” Carmillia looks nervously around her. Mornenion would nod at the words said, moving forward and keeping his bow ready, passively keeping a lookout as much as he can through the fog. Lheuwen murmurs as they move forward, “So we need a way up.” As she finished speaking, a small staircase appears to their right. Caithryth grins, still speaking lowly, “How about that!”
When the footsteps retreat, the fog disappears and lines of pillars take form as well as a long sickly pool that bubbles, it's red and it looks like blood. Stairs, from which the one they stand at leads to, lead up towards the heart of the fort one can assume.
Lheuwen hums, “Why is it empty…?”
Caithryth speaks, knowing from the images she saw, “They're looking for Fiontann.” Lheuwen nods to what Caithryth says, carrying on stoically. After a while walking up the sets of stairs, they reach a gate. Lheuwen hums, “Where is that key?”Arthasdir steps aside, letting Mornenion to the gate. Mornenion would take out the key he found, "Here. But see if it's actually locked first." So, Lheuwen gives the gate a push. The gate is locked. When Mornenion uses the key, it doesn't do anything. It won't even turn. Mornenion would look around for any way to open the gate. There is nothing around for it. Just the lock. And it is locked. It's a normal gate. Just big.
Carmillia pats her lockpicking tools that are attached to her armguards, "Let me know when you need me."
Arthasdir mutters a little morosely, “Try knocking...” Lheuwen places her face in her hands to hide her despair, “I cannot go on much further.”
Mornenion would look down at Lheuwen, “Try not to die yet. Once we've defeated Domruth, then you can.”
Lheuwen blinks at Mornenion, a little surprised by his unsympathetic words, “Your concern is touching.”
Mornenion ignores Lheuwen, saying to the one with the lockpicking tools, “Carmillia, try to unlock it.”
Carmillia takes out her lockpicking tools, going up to the lock and sliding the pin and pick into it. She curses as her pick breaks and takes out her spare one to try again. She slips the new pick into the lock and fiddles around once more. She hears a click and the doors start to open. Carmillia is able to glimpse what is on the other side but something explodes, smashing the gates. The wave and the fragments send everyone flying on their backs, close to the edge, or even down. Only Mornenion was quick enough to step away to safety, using his elven skill, leap to the side, hugging the side of the stairs.
Lheuwen is hurled off the stairs, and rolls down the rock wall, landing hard at the base. Arthasdir is sent flying back, hitting the ground and sliding towards and off the edge, he would just manage to grab the edge, hanging there. Carmillia flies backwards and lands on the stairs before rolling down to the ground at the foot of the stairs. Arthasdir grunts as he pulls his body back up onto the stairs.
The voice of someone enraged sounds beyond the gate "Fools! You think I am weak without that jewel? Come and face me if you dare." and the fire here and there caused by the explosion is put out by an angry torrent of wind. Arthasdir mutters to himself, "Out of the fire..." Lheuwen struggles back to her feet. She is reaching the limits of her endurance. Carmillia sits up, looking around her - everything is spinning. It takes a moment for the thief to reorientate herself before getting up and moving after the others. Caithryth ducks down nonetheless as the others are sent flying. She laughs a bit maniacally and charges in, as the dust settles. Mornenion would stand up on the stairs, moving ahead. His expression is torn, as if he cannot decide on something.
Lheuwen mutters angrily, “I think... we found... our bitch. Sorry, did I say bitch? I meant bitch.” Lheuwen forces herself slowly up the stairs. One foot. In front. Of the other. Lheuwen is bent double with exhaustion, hands on her knees to catch her breath.
