[i][/i][h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
Novak still had more questions, most importantly what was going on with Leannah, but it looked like the Illuminator had lost interest in them.  He felt a sense of dread rising within him over just what he had gotten himself into.  Lazhira had made it clear that she believed it to be a very bad idea to do this, and Iva’Krorh had made it clear that there would be dire consequences if Novak reneged on their agreement.

He didn't see any other choice of course, not if he didn't want to hand over Lazhira, the girl who had done so much to help him and the others out, or at least that's what he assured himself.  Regardless of her unwillingness to disclose anything about herself- something that Novak certainly wasn't guiltless in doing- she didn't deserve to be trapped here with this crazy god.  The town certainly wouldn't believe them if they returned without Lazhira and claimed to have met the Illuminator in the flesh, who coerced them into handing the girl over.

But what did Lazhira think of this?  Would her gratitude for him talking Iva’Krorh out of taking her amount to anything, or would she consider it more important to prevent the Illuminator from retrieving the orb?  Would she backstab Novak at first opportunity using whatever powers or skills she had concealed from him?  And if she did, would Narkissa cover for her, disdainful as she clearly was of Novak?  Just what sort of person was Lazhira really like?  Perhaps he should've asked the Illuminator about this while the god was in the mood to answer questions.

[i][color=ed1c24]Just what have I gotten myself into?[/color][/i]

Novak stepped away from the hag and back into the laboratory room so that they may converse away from the Illuminator.  [color=ed1c24]"Well, what do you think we should do now?  There's still one unopened door down here, and Leannah still hasn't returned.  I don't like the thought of leaving her behind in this place."[/color]  He didn't want to talk about the deal he made with the Illuminator, so he hoped that focusing on more pressing matters would push that into the back of their minds.

It might not be a good idea to spend the night here, but if they needed to, there was a living space on this level, with beds and a kitchen.

[color=ed1c24]"Speaking of leaving,"[/color] he continued, [color=ed1c24]"You two heard the Illuminator's warning too, right?  Be careful though on the way out, the foolishness of mortals can’t always comprehend the words of a God and may act rashly.  It sounds like there's trouble waiting for us if we leave.  Lazhira, what do you make of this warning?  Do you know who the Illuminator may be referring to?  Are there people in this region who still worship him?  The people who resided in this temple, for example, are any of them still around?"[/color]

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