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“I have to jump in to get to the temple?” I ask Alwar.
“Yes.”
“How far down does it go?” I ask.
“It is only a short fall. You will not die.”
“Hmmm…while that sounds super reassuring, I’d appreciate a bit more elaboration.”
“It is a twenty-foot drop. Once you are down there, you must get past the thorn serpents and the ten-foot-long mud leeches. They do not eat mud, in case you were wondering. After that, you are halfway there.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“I lived in the temple for ten years. I assure you the journey going in is far less harrowing than the journey coming back out. It is why I did not leave until my studies were over.”
He stayed in there for a decade because he, a Wall Man, was too afraid to leave?“God, I hate this world. So after the leeches, what next?”
“It is anyone’s guess. The tunnel is known for its tests of the mind.”
Oh great.I’m assuming this isn’t one of those ink-blot tests.
Alwar adds, “But you do not have much to worry about. I will be with you the entire way.”
“You think I’m going to bring you?” He’s the last person I want looking over my shoulder while I do my research. First, I want to know what prior rulers said in this “address” everyone’s fussing over. Second, I want to dig as deep as I can into the history of these doorways to my world.
“I am your sworn guardian and your husband. There is no other choice.”
I’m not so quick to agree. “You can’t even fit in there.”
“I already have. Once. As I said, I never left the temple during my studies.”
I bend over and look down the hole again, my stomach knotting with fear. I really don’t want to go in there alone, but bringing Alwar isn’t a smart choice. He’ll just get in the way.
“Has anyone traveling with us gone in more than once?” I ask.
Alwar’s blue-blue eyes narrow.
“Answer me,” I say. “And remember, you made a—”
“A vow to be honest. Yes, I know. Tiago has entered three times. But this is because he failed his exams and had to repeat his studies.”
I frown. “Why did he fail?” And how the hell did I not know Tiago is traveling with us? I would have sent him home.
“I did not fail.” Tiago appears from the shadows of the surrounding forest like a bad omen. “I was ejected for disobedience.”
I shake my head. “Why am I not surprised?”
Tiago shrugs.
“Is there anyone else who’s done this multiple times? Anyone at all?” I cross my fingers.
“The Scholar People are very selective about who they teach or allow inside. Their priority is making their records. Master would be welcome, of course, regardless of whom you choose.”
I won’t ask why, for reasons I’ve already explained.
Master trots up and barks at me.
I look at Alwar to decipher it.
