"Remember," Zeek cautioned, "You wanted to come here."
"It's a dungeon like any other," Verris shrugged, "and if I find you trapped or killed any of my men, then you'll be joining them."
"I wouldn't risk coming back here just to eliminate a handful of mercenaries," Zeek snapped.
"We'll find the truth soon enough."
The Heart of Sorrows loomed ahead, the giant stone doors hanging agape like open jaws. Just ahead, a group of adventurers walked briskly through the entryway.
Just one vanguard? Zeek's thoughts shattered as Verris strode in their direction from behind the brush.
"No sense in waiting here. The more the merrier," he grinned.
"This place isn't known for attracting the helpful type," Zeek sighed. "The people caught here are either stupid, greedy," he paused, "…or incredibly arrogant."
"I'll assume you'd know," Verris snickered. "Lead the way then."
"Just…give me a second." Zeek pulled the map from a hidden compartment in his dagger's sheath, then removed the dagger itself. The blade gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the canopy. He locked eyes with his reflection in the blade before sliding it across his palm.
Verris heard the squelch and laughed to himself. "Is this how you led my men to their dooms? I didn't take you for the fool who'd do his own rites."
Zeek turned, his dagger back in its sheath and a parchment in his bloodied hand. "Everyone has their own ritual," he looked at his bleeding palm callously, "This is mine."
"Well then, are we going yet or should I let Regalia have a taste of you? Thus far my men paid a price in blood that I'll happily collect on."
"I know these walls better than any living being," Zeek paused to look at his wedding ring, "And I'm not ready to die yet, not until I reach the center of this place."
"The treasure must be worth a few fortunes for you to talk to me as if I couldn't kill you sooner."
"By all means, you could try." Zeek placed his free hand back on the dagger's grip, "But let's not be too hasty. Come." With that, he removed the paper from his bloodied hand, wrapped the wound and opened the parchment.
"And that is…?" Verris allowed his question to linger.
"My way of navigating. Let's go." Zeek put the map in his dagger's sheath. "If we can manage to catch up, we may be able to save them. They don't know what this place truly is."
"Or we'll be just in time to see them die."
"Then I suggest we get moving."
"Music to my ears," Verris said with a devilish grin.
They slipped through the open maw of the Heart of Sorrows and disappeared into the dark.