to hold the Keep against any attack."
Dominic nodded at that, though he continued to study the defenses as they rode around the garden and approached the Keep's main entrance, an archway carved into the cliff face. The top of the large archway was at least twenty feet high. On either side of the arch hung another set of large metal gates that could close and seal the Keep if needed. A large and wide abutment of stone thrust out of the cliff another twenty of so feet above the archway, shading it in its shadow. Jake saw several soldiers look down from that abutment at them as Deepwood led them past the gates and into the Keep.
As they rode in, Jake could see that the arch was actually a tunnel that stretched some thirty to forty feet, solid rock all around them. The tunnel was lit with torches, hanging in metal brackets that lined the walls. Along the roof of the tunnel, Jake saw several openings carved at regular intervals.
"What are those for?" He asked Deepwood as he pointed, his voice echoing in the tunnel.
"Those are vents to allow us to pour burning pitch from inside the Keep onto any attackers that breach the outer gate." Deepwood replied mater-of-factly, Dominic nodding appreciatively as he looked at them with a professional eye. Jake shuddered at the thought as he imagined being trapped in the space with fire all around.
At the end of the tunnel, there was another set of metal gates to close it off. Past the gates, the space suddenly expanded into a brightly lit domed area, at least two hundred yards wide with the ceiling at least eighty to one hundred feet above them. All around the dome, there were passages that ran deeper into the mountain. Jake noticed several stairways that led to at least two upper levels.
Most of the light was coming from several large glowing balls of light, shining with a slight golden hue, hanging in the air near the ceiling. Jake was stupefied on how they worked. He studied them and could not see how they were suspended. He could only tell that they were not made with regular fire.
Deepwood noticed his confused stare and chuckled. "I do not know how it is done either, Jake." He said. "Tomaris has studied many things and he is the one who created them."
They halted near the far end of the dome and several soldiers came out of a large opening. Deepwood dismounted and motioned them to do the same. "Please take your saddlebags and my soldiers will see to the horses. They will given food and water and your saddles will be stored."
After the horses were led away, Deepwood took them up a flight of stairs onto the second level. They made their way down several brightly lit tunnels and through a set of ornate wooden doors into a large hall. In the wall to the left, there was an opening with stained glass that led to a stone patio that jutted out from the cliff wall. Its stone walls were decorated with colorful tapestries and paintings. There was a large fireplace built into the far wall and long wooden table that took up the center of the room. Sitting in the large wooden chair at the head of the table, facing the doors, was an old man, who gestured for them to come closer.
As they got close, the man rose and came over to meet them. Jake could see that the man was dressed in a plain grey robe. He appeared to be around six feet tall, thin but robust. He was clean shaven and had dusky skin that made his short snow-white hair seem to glow. His face was lined and wrinkled, but his eyes, wise and full of knowledge, were the most striking and unusual, wide with the irises dark purple in color. He moved slowly, with a slight hunch in his shoulders. He smiled as they halted in front of him, his white teeth gleaming, and made a gesture of welcome.
"Tomaris, this is Dominic from Sanduas and his charge, Jake Thomas." Deepwood said with a bow. "They bring a letter from the Chief Cleric of Sanduas for your attention."
"Greetings, friends." He said, a slight rhumeny quality to his voice. "Be welcome to the Keep. How is Jonas doing? I enjoyed our talks when he was here."
"He is fine, Master Tomaris." Dominic replied, giving him a courtly bow. "He is hopeful that you can