Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel

by Brian Hutchinson

  Chapter 43

  The Door

  Lot led the way through the palace and into the large shaft that undoubtedly led back to Oggy's kingdom. It was a safe journey, as they did not run into any more adversaries or Daintish traps. The hardest thing about this part of their journey was the long spiraling staircase that seemed to go upward for miles. After an hour, they came to the end of the staircase. A small landing was at its end, and a large golden door stood in their path.

  “Where do you suppose it leads?” Lot asked.

  “I know exactly where it leads,” Oggy replied.

  “Where?” asked Lot.

  “Into the throne room,” Oggy said.

  “The throne room!” Lot said with surprise in his voice.

  “Yes, the throne room. It actually stands directly behind the throne. I never knew what it was or where it led. No one did. We just thought it decoration,” Oggy stated.

  “Arrr! Let's open it up den!” Red exclaimed.

  Lot looked to Locmire and received the go ahead. He pushed the large golden door, but it did not budge. He pushed again, this time with all of his might, but it still did not open.

  “Let me try,” Oggy said.

  Oggy put his shoulder to the door and bent his knees. He pushed with everything his tiny, but amazingly strong, body had. Once again it did not move.

  “Urganox! Come move dis eer door,” Red exclaimed.

  “I do not think that might will be able to open this door,” Locmire said as he moved his way closer to the door. He examined it closely and said, “Ah yes, ‘tis a door of limited use.”

  “A what?” Lot asked.

  “A door of limited use is a door that has been magically imbued. It will open and close freely, but only for a short while. After it has been used the maximum number of times, it will never open again,” the Wizard stated.

  “I have never met a door that I cannot open,” replied Lot.

  “Lookin like ye have now,” Red said, erupting with laughter.

  Lot gave Red a sarcastic look and said, “Ha-ha. Laugh it up.”

  “Can you open it, Wizard? I do not know if I have it in me to back track to the Broken Lamien,” Oggy said.

  Locmire smiled and said, “These doors were created as a security feature. I have no doubts that when the Dainties of old broke through from underneath and started the new city, they traveled back and forth using this door to collect their valuable possessions from below. The door was then sealed shut. It was to forever keep the dangers that lurk down here from entering the new city. Only a Wizard could create such a door.”

  Locmire put his hands on the door. He bowed his head and a radiant white light began to grow from the golden door. Suddenly, the door was no longer made of gold, but from wood. A brass handle appeared in front of them.

  “After you,” Locmire said as he motioned Oggy toward the door.