"The Tower of Magi has been all but obliterated, your grace," said Barstan, the leader of the scouting party Lartaynior had sent east.

All the money that went into rebuilding it, only to have it razed again. How typical.

"Did you find anything salvageable?"

"A few scrolls, and some potions. I sent them to Thomys. There is one other thing, sire."

"Yes?"

"While we were examining the ruins, a portal appeared in the center of the tower. It was only there for a few seconds, but it was quite obviously a magical portal."

"Did anything come through?"

"No, your grace."

"Alright. Did you have anything else to report."

"No, sire, that is all."

"Dismissed, soldier"

"Yes, sire." Saluting smartly, Barstan strode out of the room.

Lartaynior had taken over a small inn in Torfen as his temporary headquarters and was upstairs in what had been the inkeeper's office. This news about the portal is quite interesting. It seems as if someone from Upper Avernum is trying to get down here.

"Meryn!" he called to his aide.

"Yes sire?"

"Send for Selwyn please."

"Right away sire."

Selwyn had been the the liason between Avernum proper and the upper caves many years before. He was now part of Lartaynior's staff as a diplomat.

In a few minutes, the gray-haired ambassador came into the room.

"You wanted to see me sire?"

"Yes. Take a squad of 50 men and go to the ruins of the Tower of Magi. I have reason to believe that the people of Upper Avernum are attempting to contact us. I would like you to be there if they succeed in getting a message through the portal."

"Yes, sire. I can be ready to leave within the hour."

"Very good. The sooner you can make it to the tower, the better I'll feel."

Only the gods know what might happen if someone else is there to great a delegation from above.