Both begin moving at the same time, however two things work in Alaedra's favour: firstly, the hatch is closer to her, and secondly, it turns out that the butcher-like thing is very slow, ambling along as he drags his cleaver along the ground. Each time he moves, it drags along behind him, leaving a deep scratch in the floor and spraying sparks about behind him. Every time, it makes a terrible noise, the sound of a nail being drawn across an iron fence.<br/><br/>He staggers as he moves, and these factors all combine so that by the time he's anywhere near the hatch, Alaedra has already opened in, entered and closed it behind her. It turns out there is a simple ladder, made from solid steel bars melted together, rather than chains - and<em>that's</em>fortunate. Although the air is breathable, it does smell very smoky in there, as though some time ago it was used as a chimney, and now all that remains is the carbon coating the inner walls.