The hidden pin moved on Perrin's first pull.
Their mage had spent three days practicing how to hold a narrow thread of mana instead of flooding an entire stone. Their scout had replaced the improvised hook with a forked steel tool made to catch the pin from either side. Perrin watched the arena wall while the other two worked.
The handleless door slid open in twelve seconds. It was much faster this time.
They crossed into the service corridor, pulled the door shut, and moved before the first orc entered the empty preparation room. The arena crowd roared on the other side of the wall. Workers hurried toward the entrances carrying water, food, and bundles of practice weapons.
Perrin's party already knew the traffic pattern.
