Saran nodded with a look of grim determination and inspected the dagger as Keystone forced the sword inside the rock. The wall easily gave way, absorbing the sword as if it was thick syrup and hardening when the monk let go. For a moment the headache seemed to recede, but it came back in full force seconds later.

"I am not certain what this dagger does, and I do not have any identification spells memorized. I'll stick to my own weapon, in case this one is cursed," Saran whispered, peeking out from behind the door. "It looks empty." She stepped aside when Keystone walked in, unbinding her horse and following him inside the abandoned town.

Two Stars was bathing in the morning sun and pierced by a cold wind, but Keystone did not feel cold or hot. The city was completely empty: no signs of bodies, inhabitants, or even indications of recent occupation. What few torches were on the gate walls appeared pristine and never lit, a large fireplace in the guard's bunker to the right of the entrance was made up but showed no signs of ever being lit. No dust covered the many surfaces around the gate. The main street was devoid of all life as the sunrays broke through the slightly cloudy sky.

"You lived in here? That must have been lonely," quipped Saran, looking around.

Keystone's head briefly flashed with pain and the image of a skull encased in an all too familiar helmet flashed by.