30

The basin of fire was so bright, it lit up, what she now saw as, the whole cavern. the basin itself touched down at this height only a few times throughout the entire room. Otherwise it went up into large arches around the room. Where she now stood was barely into the room and center of the opening she came in from. At the far end of the room there was what looked like chairs on a stage, cut out of the stone and there was a hall to both the left and right of it. Upon further observation, Les determined that this must be what a throne room or a palace ballroom might look like, if it were underground. she wondered where it came from, and why the tunnel led to her room. Les picked up her lantern to walk towards the thrones. As soon as the lantern was out of the black water completely, the light went out. She set it back down abruptly. Likewise, the room lit up again. Les was hesitant to explore this room without her lantern, she didn't know how long the magic black water would burn. But then again, it did seem to be alive. Les took a deep breath and ventured forth, once more.