Beyond the ‘weretiger’ door, the tunnel leads to another junction, and more twisting corridors, false turnings, and dead-ends. So far, Sigmund and Krista have been the hunters at the front of your party, sniffing the ground for the scents of Cedius’ gang - and the trail has been faint. Now, the male weretiger picks up a stronger trace of centaur and weretiger scents, and he indicates a narrow tunnel.
You groan. Unlike the others you’ve been in so far, this route isn’t wide enough for you and Rachel to turn round in, should you need to.
Sigmund leads the way and the others follow. Just in front of you, Rachel ducks her head to avoid the uneven tunnel roof. Carefully, you both squeeze through narrow gaps in the winding corridor. Suddenly, Rachel’s hand, pressing against the tunnel wall for support, disappears as a ‘clunk’ is heard - and a section of the wall promptly opens inwards. With a squeal, Rachel loses her balance, and falls into a newly-revealed corridor - which thankfully looks wider.
“Hold on, Rach!” You come to her rescue. Between you both, you get your beloved centauress back onto her hooves.
“Thanks, Ben! What would I do without you?” she says.
“Well, my giddy mare, I was thinking what I am going to do with you?” you tease her.
Despite the fact she’s still reeling from Deirdre’s death, Rachel manages a sly smile as you hold hands. “Oh, if we survive this crises, I’m sure our imaginations will come up with something.”
“That’s enough, you lovebirds.” Minerva smirks at you both. “We’ve got a secret room here!” She points ahead, where the short corridor opens out into a round room, complete with seats and a table. There is no other exit.
As you all enter, a fish-shaped fountain in a corner comes to life, and pours forth clean, refreshing water - which you all partake of.
The rumble of Krista’s stomach - then both of yours - remind you of the need to eat. Since the chamber seems safe enough, you unpack the provisions the haras have provided for you all. Rachel throws the weretigers some chunks of roasted venison, which they tear into eagerly.
Your meal over, you trot over to the other table, set alongside the far wall. On the table are a set of wooden tiles placed horizontally together. Each is inscribed with a white-fonted letter, and from left to right the letters form a familiar name: AMIACING.
Puzzled, you pick up one of the tiles, then suck in your breath as you quickly drop it. Your friends quickly join you.
“What’s wrong, Ben?” Rachel looks worried.
“These tiles are magical!” you reply. “I felt energy as I handled one.”
“There’s also a lock on that drawer set into the table,” Anarosa points out. She moves her hand closer towards it, then stops. You all see the hairs on her arm twitch. “Static! There must be an electrified trap!” she declares.
“Thhen this is another puzzle,” growls Sigmund.
“Wait!” Rachel snaps her fingers. “Ixion told us there could be a magical artefact of the Management, in the Labyrinth. Maybe it’s here! The name ‘Amiacing’ suggests it is.”
“And whhat arre we supposed to ddo?” Krista snarls.
“Rearrange the letters?” Minerva suggests.
You consider this and stare at the wooden table - reflecting upon your encounter with the Oriental man, and his strange powers. Then you feel your centaur mind sharpen. “Of course…!” You look up at Rachel, and her confused expression clears. She nods, in understanding.
“The first letter is ‘M’ - isn’t it, Ben?” she declares.
“Yes… I’ll spell it out.” Your hands get to work. Ignoring the sensation of magic from the tiles, you rearrange the letters and display to everyone what the named representative of the Management is.
MAGICIAN
Without warning, there’s a flash of light. In the next instant, the suited Oriental is standing before you. He looks around at you all, bemused - then his expression sharpens.
“Ahh! I recognise some of you - despite a few changes, hmm? Good, good… You have adopted the island as your new home! So, you have found the secret chamber in the Labyrinth! Well done!”
“Mr Amiacing!” You raise your hand. “Cedius and his rogue satyrs have kidnapped our transformed friends. They are now somewhere in the Labyrinth, ahead of us. Cedius is seeking…”
“…The Eyes of Hecate and Zeus!” Amiacing hisses. “That is serious! There is already fighting at the pens where we put the satyrs captured by our security team. Kaymarl’s flock are battling the rogues to the death! Our own forces are fighting to contain the rogues - in order to prevent the tourists from being seduced by them. We were too late to save a handful. And there have been fatalities on all sides!”
Minerva’s face turns pale at the news. “It’s full scale war, then…! Cedius, what have you done!?” she croaks.
“Can you help us, sir?” Dick addresses Mr Amiacing.
“What? Oh yes! There is still time to stop that megalomaniac, Cedius!” The sorcerer points a finger at the drawer of the table, and there is a flash. The drawer slides open, to reveal a silver medallion.
“Use this! It is the Medallion of Flux. There is enough power in it to allow the wearer to twice temporarily transform into another creature. The third - and last - use of this power will result in a permanent transformation, so be careful! Apart from you two centaurs, all of you can still be altered by the powerful magic of this artefact. All you need do is to concentrate on what you wish to become!”
“Thanks!” You smile. “Will you come with us, and fight on our side?”
Mr Amiacing’s lips turn downwards. “I regret I cannot. I have to remain at the hotel block, to co-ordinate the Management’s forces against the rogue satyrs.” He frowns inwardly, then re-directs his gaze to the weretigers. “Take care, Sigmund, Krista. I sense that you two - plus the one called Harry - are the only weretigers left on the island! Well, together, you all can defeat your foes. Diversity is your salvation!”
“We’re grateful for your advice!” You reach forward to shake the man’s hand - only to pass through him. The vision of Mr Amiacing flickers - and you take a hoof step back, startled.
He smiles sheepishly. “As you can see, I’m not really with you! Goodbye - and good luck!” With a wave of his hand, he vanishes with another bright flash of light.
“Well…” Dick breaks the silence. “Anyone want to guard this?” He picks up the Medallion of Flux.
"You keep it for now, Dick,” suggests Rachel. “Don’t use it until we really need to.”
There seems to be no more point in staying in the chamber. So you suggest that you move on. There’s a chorus of agreement. Gathering your collective equipment, your party head back to the rocky tunnel and soon emerge into a massive cave. There, you all stop.
A gaping chasm splits the floor into two - and there’s no other way out, bar the tunnel beyond the opposite side of the dark drop…