Gorla shrugged again. "As you wish, Telis. There seems to be nothing I can do to stop you."
"Then lead me to her quarters, and not a sound out of you, do you understand?" Telis prodded the Priest gently with the short-sword.
"But command me, lord," muttered Gorla sarcastically. He picked himself up off the floor. Telis snatched the cloak from his cassock and wrapped it around the gleaming blade of the short-sword, still keeping the point at the base of the Priest's spine.
"Don't force me to use this, Gorla," he hissed in the other's ear.
Gorla shook his head silently and led the way off down the corridor. The early hour was well chosen, for the whole towering edifice seemed to be deserted. Somehow, Telis felt, too deserted. The whole magnificent megalopolis that was Dorliss seemed to sleep serenely under its mantle of invisibility.
In a tight silence, Gorla led Telis until they stood before a closed door near the ground level.
"Open it," commanded Telis.
"I have no key," Gorla protested.
Cursing under his breath, Telis tried the doorlatch. To his surprise, it gave easily and the door swung open. Telis lifted his sword, half-expecting a trap, but no attack came from the darkness beyond the portal. He shoved Gorla through and closed the door, the dark closing in around them.
"A light," whispered Telis.