We didn't spend much time in the castle itself, stopping there only to speak to a clerk who verified Lavinia's identity and her signet and escorted us to the vault. After walking down a long spiral staircase, we found ourselves in a large circular chamber under the castle. Over a dozen hallways radiated out from the central vault chamber. The clerk pointed us to the Vanderboren family vault, bade us good day, and returned to their office in the castle above, leaving us to the vault.
The short passageway to the vault ended at a solid-looking iron door emblazoned with a single rune: an eight-pointed star. Above the door, inscribed in flowing script on a polished silver plaque, was the name "Vanderboren." A single handle protruded from the door, just below a circular depression bearing the mark of the Vanderboren signet.
"What's that star symbol?" I asked, curious.
"I'm not quite sure, although it looks familiar," Lavinia admitted.
"Is same symbol as on building in Merchant District," Snickers said offhandedly.
"Huh," said Lavinia. "Well, let's open up this vault." Then, stepping forward, she inserted the signet ring into the depression above the handle. There was a harsh blue light, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a domed chamber with a floor of polished green marble. Several marble pillars were carved to resemble coiling snakes. Painted on the ceiling was a huge representation of the same eight-pointed star as the door.
Snickers poked his head in. "Where treasure?" he asked.
"It looks like an antechamber," I said. "There must be another door in this room leading to the vault proper."
"I don't see one," said Liona. "But I have a spell for that. You first, though, Annie."
"Why me?"
"Because you're the indestructible one, remember?" Kala said matter-of-factly. "Any guardian that attacks you will probably bounce off harmlessly."
"We'll be right behind you," said Liona, flashing a thumbs-up.
I sighed, readied my shield, and stepped into the vault, holding my breath. Nothing seemed to happen.
I was getting ready to lower my guard when the snake pounced at me from the shadows.
I whirled around to block it with my shield just before its fangs struck my neck. The guardian was constructed from circular iron bands, strung together into a serpentine form with wicked-looking fangs protruding from its metallic jaws. The snake lunged again before I could gather my wits to respond, but my armor deflected the strike. That was everyone's cue to spring into action. Kala threw a flower, and Snickers hurled a sling bolt, but the one missed and the other bounced harmlessly off the snake. I charged up my gloves and delivered an electric jolt, which coursed through its coils, giving off a faint smell of ozone. "Yes! Get 'em!" shouted Liona, who had pulled a wand from her belt and was waving it to cast some kind of spell.
The snake darted at me again, but my shield was ready, and I held it at bay once more, using the opening to touch it again with my gloves—and this time, the lightning visibly scorched its chassis. Kala's aim was true as well; her flower hit the snake in its side, exploding in a burst of green light, knocking it back slightly. But it didn't slow down. Its next strike got under my armor. I flinched, but its teeth were no match for my magic. My skin flashed silvery-blue at the point of impact, and I grinned.
I could hurt it— but it couldn't hurt me. That meant the math was clear. As long as I could keep it focused on me, Kala and I could wear it down without anyone being injured. (Snickers had already given up on his sling and was busy cursing stupid constructs and their resistance to weapons, and Liona appeared to be strategizing with Lavinia.) I just hoped I was right, because there were small venom tanks clearly visible inside its mouth, and I really didn't want to find out what kind of poison was in them.
I reached out to touch it again, but it darted out of my reach and reared back to try for another bite. I dodged to the side, clearing a shot for Kala, whose next flower scored another direct hit, blasting a hole in its back. But it was still moving.
Then, suddenly, it stopped. Lavinia strode into the room, boldly presenting her signet ring to the construct. The snake turned and slithered back into the shadows, coiling around one of the marble pillars and becoming motionless once more.
"I knew it would work," said Liona, beaming. "You're welcome!"
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