"You are needed," the runner said.

Edgar flinched at the words.

They had traveled many leagues to reach the fabled Cairn of Sorrows. Along the way the party dealt with scorpions, giant nomadic sand lizards, and an enormous sandstorm that nearly buried them in its wrath. When they finally reached the opening of the Cairn the previous day, Edgar’s services still had not been utilized.
Now he was now called to duty by the leader of the expedition, a famous mage of distinguished intelligence whose attention to detail had given him the reputation as one of the realm’s best treasure hunters.
Goldmask, as the mage was known, had several pupils that were trained in specialized groups. Each faction of students was taught a portion of treasure hunting, such as reading runes or building supports for underground shafts.

Edgar was overjoyed when Goldmask chose him personally and showed him the basics of treasure hunting. Goldmask referred to Edgar and his peers as Reddof Parts and compared them to a jack-of-all-trades in proper treasure hunting. Their teacher emphasized the need to be skilled in many aspects of treasure hunting for they would be desired for rare and intricate tasks.

It was a stroke of good fortune that Edgar was selected to be a Reddof Part. Edgar never had coin for formal schooling and his history of damaging property and below average use of weapons left him a difficult fit for the local trades or militia.

His fellow students patted him on the back.

Edgar was the first one of his group chosen. That had to mean something.

He moved into the large antechamber that marked the beginning of the Cairn. Goldmask was waiting at the opening of a long hall lined with sculptured columns. The floor was a checkerboard of glyphs that ended in front of a large stone door.

Goldmask greeted Edgar affectionately.

"The time has come for you, ahh"

"Edgar."

"Edgar, our top prospect!"

Edgar’s heart leapt.

"Edgar, do you see the pictures on the floor with those colored tiles?"

Edgar took a step forward, surveyed the floor, and nodded.

"There are many pictures, though only three distinct glyphs. This one is a dragon, this is a snake, and the final is a spear glyph."

Edgar took in each symbol and tried to memorize each. So far, so good. His hours of training were finally coming to fruition.

"Now, we need you to walk across the room by stepping on each glyph in a certain pattern. The pattern you must stride is as follows; snake, spear, and then dragon. Once you get to the dragon, repeat the steps in the exact same sequence until you reach the door beyond. When you arrive at the door, wait for my signal and I’ll join you. I’ll need your assistance to help decipher those runes on the door."

Edgar memorized the steps again. It was his lucky day. Not only was he getting a chance to show his mettle, but he would be working alongside Goldmask himself! He couldn’t wait to tell his fellow Reddof Parts.

Goldmask gave him an encouraging tap and retreated back to the main antechamber.

"I’m counting on your loyal and honorable service, Edgar. Don’t let me down."

"I won’t, Sir Goldmask."

After he reached a safe distance, Goldmask motioned for his assistant. The Cairn of Sorrows was the first hunt for his new protégéand it was time for a lesson.

"Are you crazed?" asked his assistant. "What are you doing with him?"

"There’s a reason I’ve been able to survive these risky endeavors for this long. One of the keys to my success is good henchmen. It takes a team to unlock the secrets of the dead. There are many deeds to be done that require hard work, dedication, and higher learning."

"That doesn’t answer the question as to why you put him in there. He has none of those traits."

"Correct, but Edgar is a Reddof Part."

"You speak in riddles. What can he do that we cannot do ourselves?"

Goldmask shook his head. This was his third protégé in a year. At this rate, he would never have a chance to retire. He gestured to the young man before them.

"Watch and learn."

Edgar stepped on the glyphs sequentially as he was instructed. At the end of the first sequence darts flew from the columns and struck Edgar’s neck. Simultaneously, a wooden shaft shot from the floor and pierced Edgar from the groin to the upper back. An intense column of flame erupted from the ceiling, engulfing the once proud man.

Goldmask took delight in his protégé’s shocked expression.

"I couldn’t remember if it was snake, spear, dragon or the reverse. Now it’s quite clear."

Goldmask’s protégé managed to nod.

"Can you read?" asked Goldmask.

"Sir, you know I can."

"Reddof Parts cannot and with good reason."

Goldmask took out a parchment and wrote:

r-e-d-d-o-f p-a-r-t

"Spell the letters in reverse and you’ll see why they are one of the most vital tools in any tomb hunter’s party."

Goldmask let the knowledge sink in and contemplated his next move. This was only the entry chamber of the Cairn and he hoped he would not have to dip into those of the Taib Esruc group so soon.