"Open sesame!"
At once, Luke found himself in a bustling city, near a wall that he could tell separated it from a very familiar castle. And a flyer on the wall displayed a very familiar draft notice.
"It's the same country."
Luke moved toward the castle, knowing the key was most likely there. A crowd was gathered, watching a tall man in a grand robe and crown of gold as he spoke.
"The Dragon's forces scatter for the time," the King said, clearly mid-speech. "But we must not forget. He will gather more of his monstrous forces to launch another strike." A low murmur rolled through the crowd.
"However!" The King shouted, "Remember also that Norte will never surrender to him! We will hold out, for a thousand years if we must. Even now, our defense is prepared to slay a thousand foes with ten men. Know that as long as I live, those behind this wall shall never need to fear the Dragon!"
Cheering and applause filled the air as the King paused to allow it. Luke was certain. The key was up there, quite possibly in the King's hands.
"You hear 'bout the news?" He overheard a guard say, "About the bandits?"
"Yeah. So close to us too. Wretched cravens slipped right past the Knights. But then they were stopped by... Is this right? One woman?"
"Aye. No one's sure how, but she sent the bandits straight to the courthouse, unarmed at that. I heard the Royal Sorcerers want to chat with her- and ya know how they are about letting folk into the castle."
"I think I want to chat with her. Learn her tricks when the Ghasts arrive."
"Wouldn't that be nice? Not having to worry 'bout getting your arm chewed off..."
Luke slipped into a back alley to process what he'd just heard. So the castle, where he was almost certain the key was at, was off limits to most, and his deeds on the previous floor had been heard of on this one...
