"Powers high and powers low, heed my words and make it so!"





It had taken some serious wheedling, but Handol finally agreed to hand over one of the red jewels he had "acquired" from a troll statue.

Bradyn opened his spellbook, the writhing letters slowly drifting into place, forming words he could read for just a moment before scattering.

"Gem of blood," he said aloud as Handol watched. "Wall of stone. Open now and take us home. Powers high and powers low, heed my words and make it so!"

The stones seemed to melt and run like ink, forming a low doorway filled with light and colors. It remined Bradyn of lamp oil spilled onto a pool of water. He closed the stained leather tome and tossed the gem back to his friend.

"Let's see what happened," the wizard said as he stepped into the shimmering light.

As he looked into the next room, he was astounded at the vivid colors. It was as if he had stepped into a painting. Or perhaps he had found a different reality.







///


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