Velden had just gotten past the third trap when he found the last. This one was a puzzle trap which made it different then the others. He already knew the answer to this one.
The floating large enough to walk on hung in the air around the hall. All he had to do was use the energy of the gauntlets to move the stones to a place where he could get across. The had part was making sure that his follower couldn't get across without resetting the stones himself.
Velden started to move the stones placing them over the gaping chasm in the floor. The fit nicely where they were supposed to go. He started to walk across the gap feeling the unsteadiness of the makeshift bridge. He felt eyes on him as he finished the bridge and made his first steps on solid ground.
He turned pushing and pulling the stones so they were no longer in the form of a bridge. With any luck this would at least slow the stalker if not stop him completely. Velden turned and entered the final room.
In the center of the room was a pedestal. That pedestal was the resting-place of the boots. The final artifact that was an article of clothing sat before him.
They were beautiful. Pure adumantite inlays of gold all around it. As he got closer the boots responded to him hissing open. Velden saw the split sides open so they could easily fit on his feet and calves.
He reached for them when the image of a young woman appeared and spoke. “Heir of Naeamen. I am Sosara, mate of Naeamen Maratar and I welcome you.”
Velden stared at the image before him. She wore the armor and gauntlets that Tyanna now wore. She was also just as beautiful as Tyanna.
“If you are here then Estern is once again in trouble.” She continued. “And that means you have been gathering the artifacts.
“I ask you to not activate the memory of the boot's in till you are with the bearer of the second set of artifacts. They will have to receive the memories from the boots at the same time as you. My memories from the boots will activate something in the circlet that you will not know.
“You should already know that you have to activate the memories to have them so you won't hesitate to wear them. Fair well and good luck.”
The image vanished and Velden took the boots. He slipped off his soft leather boots and slipped his feet into the boots, which closed around his feet and lags. They were surprisingly conformable as they shifted to accommodate him.
“Well then heir.” The hissing voice came from the door causing Velden to turn.
Before him stood a black skinned being with short yellow horns on several spots around his head and razor sharp teeth. “I had hoped to face you without the boots but I'm to late. This will be far more interesting.”
* * *
Tyanna had watched the three men as they walked around surveying the ballista towers. Bretar had been right; all three must have been Sslisk. She was happy that they were all together but she was beginning to wish they would just enter one of the side streets so they could finish them.
“I think they know we are following them.” Bretar whispered to her.
Tyanna frowned. “If that's true then we may have to take them in the street. That could be dangerous for innocents around.”
“I don't think so.” Caesa pointed to the dark ally not far from them. “They fight us in public they unmask themselves. They go in that ally right there and they have a chance to keep us from setting a trap and might just gain the upper hand on us.”
Tyanna thought for a moment. “She's right. They don't see Caesa or me as a threat because we're female and not very large. They think you're not going to be much of a problem because there's only one of you. We should let them set their trap.”
“I won't be very useful in there.” Caesa said. “I'm pretty bad at hand to hand combat and that ally is not wide enough for me to use my bow.”
“I have seen you cut up one of these things love.” Bretar patted her back. “You are quick and agile. You can do this.”
Tyanna agreed. “Just don't let one catch you and you'll be fine. The question is what we're up against.”
