Very, very slowly the room came into view as Kelgar awakened. The first bit of sensation he recognized was that of the throbbing pain in his head followed by the very quick shuffling of someone else in the room. Kelgar opened his eyes to see a young woman whom he recognized as one of the residents of the temple. She had a very concerned look on her face as she watched Kelgar come to his senses.

“I suppose you had a good reason for using my head as anvil,” said Kelgar.

“I-I’m sory,” the woman stammered, “I thought you were one of them.”

“That’s alright,” said Kelgar sitting up. He rubbed his head painfully. “That’s a powerful hit you’ve got there.”

“Well, I think the cauldron did most of the damage,” she smiled, referring to the small cast-iron pot that lay nearby.

“Even so, I think you might have a future in temple defense,” said Kelgar in jest. “Have you ever considered a position as temple guard; you seem to have a natural gift for it.”

“How bad is it?”

“Well, I’ll live,” said Kelgar still holding his head, “but let’s just say I’d rather not repeat the incident.” Kelgar sized her up for a moment. “You’re one of the apprentices aren’t you?”

“Yes,” the woman nodded, “Milessandra. I work in the kitchens.”

“Good, you can help me.” Kelgar looked around.

“With what?”

“With taking back our temple.”

“You know that Raede’s taken over then?”

Kelgar looked at her and grinned. “Why do you think I came in this door? I hadn’t expected anyone would be here.”

“Enira sent me here after Raede entered the palace.”

“You mean Raede knows about this door?” asked Kelgar in alarm.

“No, no. Enira told me to bring a pot of tea for her and the king, which of course is not at all in tradition. I knew she must be telling me to hide and to protect everything I could in the temple, so while she conversed with Raede, I crept to the seventh tier and removed anything that Raede might try to corrupt. The only thing I couldn’t take with me was the Lumidian, though I assure you I would have if I could have. After that, I brought everything down here and have been hiding ever since.”

Kelgar looked at her blankly. “You figured all that out from Enira telling you to bring them a pot of tea?”