<strong>Sophie</strong><br/><br/>With barely enough time to let the full horror of what lay in that chamber resonate within her mind, the slave was already forced within, and further, to a place where, she knew with a sinking feeling of dread deep within her, she would be made to suffer horribly for her Master's amusement and pleasure.  She could not reach the bars without standing on the tips of her toes; and she suspected that this was deliberate.  She did, stretching the flesh tight across her ribs as she looked over her shoulder, pleading with her eyes for mercy, for some bit of kindness.<br/><br/><strong>Aurora</strong><br/><br/>It would never again be said, if she hadn't had opportunity to learn of Balthazar's depravity full well before now, that her decision to ally herself with the old lich was one made in ignorance.  What she saw in the Black Chamber stole her breath, offended every sensible, humane thing about the girl.  Further along this road, she knew in that moment, would cost her dearly, perhaps her very soul in pursuit of the sorceries he had promised.<br/><br/>It was with the knowledge of what she was about to do, freely and in knowing consent, that she crossed through the door, her small feet digging paths through the accumulated dust.  "I must, Sir Darius.  I have trusted you to bring me this far, with a speed I did not think possible, with a cleverness I myself lacked to open the passage.  But now you must trust me; trust that I know what I am doing and what I am seeking in this horrible place."