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.
"Hold the light closer, Palin," Tanin said, stooping
down beside it. "There's something in the center,
surrounded by a bunch of ... mirrors."
Cautiously, Palin held the light down near the device
and the room was suddenly illuminated as if by a hundred
suns. Tanin shrieked and covered his eyes with his hands.
"I can't see a thing!" he cried, staggering back against the
wall. "Move the staff! Move the staff!"
"It's a sundial!" Palin reported, holding the staff back
and staring at the device in astonishment. "Surrounded by
mirrors . . ."
"Ah," said Dougan triumphantly, "a gnome time-lock."
"A timelock?"
"Aye, lad. You wait until the dial casts the shadow of
the sun on the correct time, and the lock will open."
"But," pointed out Palin in confusion, "the way the mirrors
are fixed, there could never be a shadow! It's always noon."
"Not to mention," added Tanin bitterly, rubbing his
eyes, "that this place is pitch dark. There're no windows!
How's the sun supposed to hit it?"
"Small design flaws," said Sturm sarcastically. "I'm sure
it's in committee - "
"Meanwhile, how do we open the door?" Tanin asked,
slumping back wearily against the wall.
"Too bad Tas isn't here," said Palin, with a smile
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