((Sorry, Twiz.
))
The two girls entered a hidden passageway with close stone walls. As soon as Prana was inside, pulled after Maira, the stone panel behind them slid shut. The passage was instantly dark. Maira whispered a few magic words and a small, pale yellow glow appeared to hover above her hands.
"Come on, you need to see this," Maira said to her friend. The glow lit up the space around them, but Prana still could not see anything but walls.
"Okay, but we can't be long. Even though Father is going to be at the meetings for a while, I should be back before they're done."
"No problem. We've got time." Maira smiled and motioned for the princess to follow her. The passageway seemed to go on forever, but that was only a trick of the monotony. They were in reality only walking for about ten minutes. The passage was at a slight downward angle and swerved to the left and right on occasion. Finally, the glow revealed a strong oak door before them. Runes were carved along the top. The hinges and knob were made of gold, as well as several graceful, decorative runes in a circle around the middle of the door.
"Wow. What is all this?" Prana asked her friend, curious at the beauty of this wooden door before them. As she reached out to run her finger along one of the center markings, she could feel a warm, humming sensation as if the door was covered in a sorcerous aura. It seemed to beat slightly, like a faint heart, as her skin came in contact with the gold details.
"You should be careful. If I don't open this correctly, things might not be good." The apprentice watched her friend.
The princess pulled her hand back quickly. "What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying this is dangerous?" She groaned. "I thought you were just going to show me something. I should have known. Please get me back to the hall in one piece. I'm still in trouble from the last expedition." Prana remember how furious her father had been when he took away one of her favorite story books. They had jumped into the book, gotten into a little trouble, and when Maira brought them back out, a troll had followed. The castle was filled with havoc until it was captured and one of the head wizards replaced it in the book. The novel had not been returned to her yet. She pouted slightly, thinking about it.
"Oh, please. Are you thinking about that book again? I've apologized a billion times. This is nothing like the last time. There isn't danger here." Prana lifted an eyebrow doubtingly. "Okay, maybe there is a little danger, but not if I get the charm right." Maira smirked.
"Well, that's reassuring." The princess rolled her eyes and watched her friend perform the charm.
Maira paused briefly. "Now what was that last part? Oh, yes . . . Luminaria Abriel!" At that moment, the gold decorations on the door glowed brightly. Prana took a step back, ready to run at the smallest hint of danger. There was an audible sigh as if something was released and a quiet click echoed on the walls around them.
"That's it? Is everything okay?" Prana felt as if a weight had been cleared from the air.
"Everything is more than okay. Wait until you see this." The apprentice smiled at her friend, cancelled the glow spell, grasped the handle and pulled open the door. It was a bit heavy, but swung open easily. It seemed just a door for the moment. Prana's eyes opened in wonder as the room before her came into view. She stood at the doorway in awe. Maira giggled at her friend and danced into the room. She threw her arms out and spun, laughing at the excitement of sharing this marvel with her friend. "Come on in. Don't just stand there with your mouth hanging open. There is so much more to see."
((Just as a note: Please don't have anyone find them or that there is only an illusion of the princess in the great hall yet. I have some things they need to do first. Thanks.
))