Leisha happens to be examining a particularly interesting cobweb in the corner and doesn't seem to hear Tesseryn's offer.  When she turns back, she says to Omphalos, "So, the Heart of Law... is, or has been, just down that hall, yes?" she asks, gesturing to the south.  "Is it still there?"

Brindle and Cogwitz are willing to join Tesseryn as the Paladin seeks to pay homage to that good god ... as, perhaps oddly, does Wrukaog bearing thither the silver statue of Mitra which he carries.

The four pass through the western door into a long chamber, perhaps twenty feet wide and sixty feet long.  At the northern end stands a statue of a stone lion; to the south there is a stone dias upon which is set a massive metal throne engraved with stylised figures of lions.  A benign-looking old man sits upon the throne, unmoving.

There are various small treasures resting upon the dais - a steel brooch, a platinum bracelet and a glass sword among them. 

Leisha, meanwhile, is not yet done conversing with Omphalos, and Aurion elects to remain steadfastly at her side.  However the Naga is quick to correct her assumption.

"No," Omphalos replies. "The Heart of Law lies to the north of this chamber.  That way," he tilts his head towards the opening to the east.

Cogwitz follows the others and inspects the things he sees with his magical eyesight.  With none of the items magical he is drawn by the man sitting on the throne.  Cogwitz whispers to Brindle, that man is magical.  My spell is still in effect.

"Magical?" Brindle whispers back. "I wonder if he is real or illusion or a construct of some kind? Or just magically protected?"

"Tesseryn, is he as good as he should be?" Brindle whispers the question to the paladin.

"I wonder if it is his prayers that brought us here?"

Tesseryn glances north towards the lion statue then looks searchingly back at the three who have followed him into the room.  He walks south and kneels before the old man, removing his helmet and placing it on the stone dais.  Speaking words too softly for all to hear he pours water from a small silver beaker onto the old man's foot then dries the foot between his palms.

Leisha looks past the naga and blinks.  "Oh."  She laughs a little bit.  "I suppose that's what comes of looking at a piece of paper before what's actually in front of you.  Would it be all right if I went and had a look?" she asks, politely.  If Omphalos doesn't object, she'll head for the eastern passage.

The two Halflings are much intrigued by the nature of the obviously magical figure sitting upon the throne, but Tesseryn is concerned only with showing his respect.  With great reverence, the Paladin washes and dries the old man's foot.  The man smiles benevolently and places his hand upon Tesseryn's brow in benediction.

"Of course," back in the large circular room Omphalos most graciously gives Leisha his permission, once more inclining his head to the eastern passage.  "If you would see the Heart of Law for yourself then turn left ... take care to avoid the mists to the right !" he calls after her as she reaches the intersection.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"Lord Mitra.  I - we are sworn to oppose Set, and to aid those who remain true to your name.  I ask a gift." His voice drops almost to a whisper, "When the faithful return to the shrine above, may your servant Cornelius once more minister to them with strength and clarity of thought."

Brindle watches and listens quietly, not wanting to disturb Tesseryn's interaction with the seated figure. He doesn't want to disturb Cogwitz's concentration either.

Leisha nods politely to Omphalos as she passes.  "Thanks," she calls back, for his warning.

Cogwitz has been concentrating on the man to see what types of magical auras are on the man and if it is actually the man or something he is wearing that is causing the emanations.

The man on the throne does not speak aloud, but smiles kindly in response to Tesseryn's request. 

Cogwitz continues to study the man.  Brindle alternates his gaze between the man and his two companions.

Leisha eyes the mists to the south thoughtfully before continuing down the passage that curves around to her left, until she stands before a large, bright chamber, floored with white marble and walled in white velvet.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Whispering soft words to comfort his snakes, Aurion continues to mull over the naga's words, committing them to memory.

"You say the belt and amulet were both taken, the first by 'Set's minions', the second by 'rat-faced thieves'," the elf recaps. "Do you know where we might find either, or begin our search?"

If evil is to be destroyed then procuring such items of power would seem to be a good start.

Brindle is content to wait and watch quietly for now. He is curious about Tesseryn's approach to the old man and even more curious to see whether Cogwitz learns anything interesting from his magic inspection.

Tesseryn rises to his feet and solemnly bows to the aged image of Mitra.  Leaving his helmet on the pedestal, he returns to his companions gathered in the doorway looking somewhat more invigorated than usual, if that were possible.  With steely determination and even a hint of merriment he proposes "Let us go and smite some evil."

Proceeding through the door he stands before Oomphalos adds another question to those already posed by Aurion.  "There were two towers.  Cornelius' shrine stands above the tower of Mitra.   Where stood the tower of Set, and how might we enter there?

Alas, Cogwitz has been unable to determine any more information regarding those magics that surround the man on the throne, but the Naga is more forthcoming and is happy to answer the questions posed.

"The minions of Set escaped with the holy belt to the lower levels," he informs Aurion.  "But I cannot say where."

"The rats infest the tunnels to the north ... they retreated to those twisting holes with their undeserved spoils."

"The tower of evil," the Naga almost spits, "opens not to the light above ... it's gates lie far below, warded by powerful magics - far more deadly than the defences I have raised here."

"Ah."  muses Tesseryn.  "You mentioned that the Amulet, Mitra's eye, was recently taken by rat-faced thieves.  And that the rats infest the twisting tunnels to the north ... I believe we traversed some such tunnels on our way here, but have left many unexplored.  I propose that we ought pursue the Amulet therein before venturing down to the lowest levels to recover Mitra's holy Belt.  What say you all?"

"That does make sense," Brindle agreed.

"That would indeed be a worthy act," Omphalos concurs.

With the Naga's vote added to Tesseryn's and Brindle's that makes three for and none against (though Aurion and Cogwitz may well be keeping silent as it was they who entered those rat-infested tunnels earlier and heard those ominous chittering noises firsthand).

But as you prepare to take your leave of this chamber in pursuit of Mitra's Eye, you realise that Leisha has not yet returned ...

Cogwitz thought about what Tesseryn had said and Brindle had confirmed.  Cogwitz had been in those tunnels and at the time it seemed too much for him, but now it sounded rather good, knowing what those sounds were helped.  I would like to recover the belt as well!.  He looked to the others and noticed someone was missing.  Where did Leisha get off to?

"She didn't come with us. I thought she stayed here with Aurion. Do you know where she went, Aurion? Or you, Omphalos, can you enlighten us?" Brindle asked.

"That way," the elf helpfully points towards the eastern passage. "Leisha wished to gaze upon the Heart of Law."

Wherever she is, Leisha is certainly innocent.

"Of course."  Tesseryn replies to Aurion, raising an eyebrow on his helmetless brow and obviously finding himself most amusing, "If I were a woman I'm sure I too would find the mention of an enchanted gem most alluring."

He waits patiently with the others and quizzes Oomphalos about service to Mitra. "When we have scoured the evil presence from the Dark Tower will your service end?  And that of Sir Holomir?"

With Leisha's approximate whereabouts nailed down, Tesseryn questions the Naga about his future employment prospects.

"No," Omphalos assures the Paladin, "my service will end only when death claims me ... and while they might find rest for a time, Sir Holomir and the other Lions of Mitra will continue to serve whenever the need does arise."