ººº
The door opened after Lex's touch, and in the current situation where not entering could mean facing a huge man with a spiked mace, the maiden risked and entered the mansion.
Groping her way along the wall, she found the handle of a broom, which she gripped quickly. That would be helpful. Lex realized she was in a service part of the mansion. If she wasn't mistaken, the front door was on the north side of the house, where she should go if she wanted to help them.
"Help me!"
She heard a low voice, almost near her feet.
Her vision hadn't yet become adapted to the nearly complete darkness of this part of the house, and she bent cautiously, groping as she could, until she touched something soft and wet, uncomfortably cold.
The maiden withdrew her hand instantly, sensing a crescendo of malice in the atmosphere. Even without seeing, her other senses were keen and fully alert.
