Another scream rang out, blood splattering in all directions. Talismans imbued with wondrous magic drew in the blood and injected it back into the 'door.'
The two black-robed wizards stopped casting, panting heavily as they trudged back with difficulty. Their faces still looked young, or perhaps middle-aged, but their skin and every other bodily feature had already entered old age. One of them even had age spots on his face.
As they withdrew, two new wizards stepped up beside the 'door,' using oak wands to channel magic and trace rune after rune.
Runes originating from that woman.
Runes belonging to the kingdom's second most powerful figure, Chancellor Evelyn Morton.
"Twenty-six nights have passed... and the world beyond that door still hasn't given us any response..."
"The abyss she described, the abyss described in ancient texts, still remains beyond our reach... Are our efforts...?"
The resting wizards whispered among themselves. One of them noticed a pair of golden eyes looking their way from near the throne. He shuddered and made a silencing gesture.
"Shh!"
The wizards fell silent, like the corpses on the floor, like the tight-lipped guards.
Evelyn Morton withdrew her gaze, her distinctive golden eyes turning toward the queen upon the throne.
Queen Allison was exquisitely beautiful, born with an appearance that inspired tenderness and pity. But the twisted expression on her face ruined that impression, making her seem gloomy and sinister.
Her long hair lay in disarray across the throne, and blood stained nails as long as a knuckle.
"Is it not ready yet, Lady Morton?" Her voice was hoarse.
Even a mad queen's words still carried more weight than those of a chancellor who held the court in her palm. Evelyn looked at the mad queen, reached out, and gently stroked the back of her hand.
"Your