A fainter sighing, like an echo of the other, mourned about us.

"Yolara is gone," she said, "the Portal is closed.

Now must we hasten--for the Three have commanded that you, Goodwin, and Larry and I tread that strange road of which I have spoken, and which Olaf may not take lest his heart break--and we must return ere he and Rador cross the bridge." Her hand sought Larry's.
"Come!" said Lakla, and we walked on; down and down through hall after hall, flight upon flight of stairways.

Deep, deep indeed, we must be beneath the domed castle--Lakla paused before a curved, smooth breast of the crimson stone rounding gently into the passage.

She pressed its side; it revolved; we entered; it closed behind us.
The room, the--hollow--in which we stood was faceted like a diamond; and like a cut brilliant its sides glistened--though dully.