A page from Darien's journals...

      Even underwater, the creaking of the vault opening up carried, it seemed, for the entire city to hear. Technically I had permission to be down here, as the Prince of Rebma, but it was frowned upon not only by my mother but most of the clergy here. It wouldn't do well to be accused of defiling bodies, though most of them were dessicated, save, of course, Morganthe's. Mother had never quite gotten over her death, having groomed her to someday succeed her as ruler here. It actually made my life a little easier, in ways, the attention that was not sent my way. And even after her death, Moire was more cordial towards Martin rather than I.

      All the easier for me to do things like this.

      I clutched the Glowstone with my free hand, using the other to propel myself along, passing several tombs. This went on for a long while, the path becoming more stooped and narrow until I was faced with a door built for what seemed a dwarf. Ne'ertheless, I popped the hatch and entered the next chamber, much larger than the door had indicated.

      I stood there a long time, fighting the battle of heart and mind, Glowstone just barely illuminating the room more than that which I had come for. While I had never been respectable, and as Connie had pointed out, somewhat of a bastard, I was still pretty good about keeping with my commitments. They would die, of course, if I didn't help them, whether they had Deirdre or Reynard with Werewindle or not. I don't think I could live with myself if I just let them go.

      Flipping around the inside of my cloak, I retrieved the pendant and regarded it for a good long minute or two. With only a moment's hesitation, I let it sink to the floor. Only three steps across the room lay what was rumoured to be a piece of my father's father's history, a symbol between his brief marriage to Moins. I strapped the scabbard to my belt and retreated slowly, offering prayers to Lugh and the Unicorn, which I was sure would not be answered.

      On the way out, I heard a crackle. Lifting my boot, I found the pendant had been crushed beneath my foot, shards of tiger eye floating about. Maybe more of an answer than I wanted.

      Ah well, vows were made to be broken...