Killian nodded thoughtfully at Frami’s explanation. Empire of Death, huh? He felt a thrill of excitement. Never one to believe in silly superstitions, Killian took such warnings to be a defense against pesky thieves. More likely, the person who set up the sign had something he was desperate to hide. Something Killian was determined to get his hands on.

He casually strode around the tomb, tracing a finger lightly over the faces of the skulls he passed. Some people might think of his actions as disrespectful, but the owners of the bones were dead, so what did it matter if he did a little poking and prodding about? He paused and glanced back at the others, who had now flooded into the room, and scoffed under his breath. The musclebound twins were busy playing about while the rest of them were just standing around the entryway. Well, if you need something done, you just have to do it yourself, he decided.

It was then that he noticed the object Effie had referred to as a “bird bath.” Killian abandoned his post at the sinister grinning skulls to see what had piqued the siblings’ interest. He peered over Otto’s shoulder. A single drop of water worked itself loose from the damp cavern ceiling and plunged into the stagnant pool. To Killian’s amusement, the surface of the water remained as still as glass. There wasn’t even a ripple to show any disturbance from the falling droplet.

“Fascinating,” Killian breathed. He moved around Otto to lean over the dish. “What do you suppose keeps it from moving?” The question was directed more towards himself than to anyone standing nearby. Killian reached a tentative hand out towards the surface of the water, curious as to what it would do if he tried to touch it. He was just centimeters away when the room suddenly went black. Someone was calling out for matches.

“Here,” Killian called in reply. He breathed an inward sigh of relief that he had come at least somewhat prepared as he dug around in his coat pocket for a match. Finding one, he struck it against the stony edge of the “bird bath” and a dim glow emerged.

Killian squinted against the inky darkness in search of a torch. He spotted one hanging on the wall back near the entrance and took it down, and then lit it with the remains of his match. The brighter flame cut through the black so that he could see everyone’s faces again. He noticed that the raven-haired man had also lit something that had a funny smell to it.

Killian stepped back over to the others, a cryptic grin set upon his face, “Seems like someone doesn’t want us here.”