Down, down, down went the stairs, until at length we
reached the bottom and found ourselves in a cave, the stairs ending in a
small foyer area which opened out into the cave, it being delved into
the bedrock layer, indicating that we had indeed passed below the
surface on our descent. The passage was really a narrow defile with high
walls on either side, impenetrable due to the fact that they were the
foundations of the earth above. It stretched on for a ways, its whole
length commanded by little, turret like stations which stuck out from
the upper wall, in which were stationed groups of archers, and though
they now stood in a solemn, dignified manner, any opposition that
attempted to force a way through would have been decimated. Yet they
stood at attention and made no noise or movement at our passing, instead
being the essence of well disciplined soldiery.
This narrow chasm led onward for about three hundred yards, the walls
stretching upwards in such a fashion that it brought to mind images of
Moses crossing the Red Sea, with great walls of water suspended in air
on either side, ready at any moment to come crashing down upon them,
their lives in the hands of another.
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