They emerged from the narrow, hidden passage and into a large chamber. It was called The Great Hall and had once been the original shelter for the Resistance, a name preferred over that of "rebel". Many corridors, some narrow enough for only one person to pass at a time, others large enough for ten abreast (and as tall) ran to and from the large, central room.

     Usually only a handful of people were seen in The Great Hall, coming and going about their daily lives. But with the arrival of Thanos, it was so full, crowds were spilling into some of the larger corridors. The young, old and those in between had come out in droves to greet him, anxious for any news of the outside world and other encampments. It had been nearly the same for a bewildered Haki. Only when he’d arrived - unannounced - his reception had been less accepting.

     A niggling thought entered Haleema’s mind as she and Haki watched and listened. How was such an old man, an ally of the resistance, able to travel the outside roads unmolested? A plausible answer came quickly on its heels. He didn’t travel all the time. It had been years since his circuit between allied caves had brought him back to Enir. Surely he’d learned secret routes in the years since the Daemon came to power.

     Pushing the traitorous thoughts (for it had been Thanos who’d saved her all those years ago - aside, Haleema grabbed Haki’s arm and dragged him through the throng.

     Jerking free once they were inside a narrow passage, Haki asked, "What are you doing?"

    "I'd like to hear what Thanos has to say. Come on, we have to hurry if we don't want to be caught."

     Haleema grabbed his arm once more and tugged him to have him follow after her. She chose to ignore his grumbled, "But what if I don't want to hear the news." and kept going. Luckily, he followed. No doubt to keep her out of trouble.

     The passage soon became dark. It was a maintenance tunnel and only lit when there was work to be done. Haleema brought her right hand forward. She murmured an incantation and a ball of light appeared in her palm. It wasn't hot, nor did flames flicker without or within. It was nothing more than an illuminated orb, which gave off a weak, white light. The path was lit for only about three feet before the holder, but that was enough to keep the pair from tripping over one another, or some other obstacle in the cramped space.

     "Here we are!" Haleema whispered loudly and stopped before a metal door. It looked thick and strong. It was also locked. "Blast!" Haleema muttered as she dug in her pockets. Before she could find an instrument in which to pick the lock, Haki produced a lock-picking kit. "I never knew you were so talented." Haleema said, a little awed at her friend's hidden talents. "Do you actually know how to use that?" she asked, becoming somewhat skeptical.

     "Of course." came his short reply. "Hold your light up so I can see what I'm doing."

     Haleema did so and in a matter of seconds, the lock sprung free. The resulting click sounded loud to her ears and she couldn't help but cringe. She prayed nobody was close enough to hear.

     Haki stepped back, triumphant, and Haleema once again took the lead. The door opened with nary a sound. It gave way to a large chamber. The rock it had been cut from was covered with tapestries and drapes which outlined false windows. The false windows held mimic-screens. They portrayed a warm, autumn day with dappled sunlight which actually helped to light the room. The invention of Techies, it was one almost every domicile held.

     The Council Chamber was shaped like an amphitheatre. The speaker would take the floor while the listeners would seat themselves on the benches which had been carved from the rock. As luck would have it, their door had opened at the uppermost of these seats. It was a masculine room, although some members were women. The Speaker had always been a man and held the position until his death.

     The chamber was blessedly empty, but it would fill soon enough. Haleema motioned for Haki to close the door and follow her along the uppermost benches.

to be continued...