The Sword of Shannara - An Epic Fantasy Author:Terry Brooks ATOP THE DRUID'S KEEP — Slowly the survivors of the quest filed into the stone chamber, smiles on their faces, their wounds forgotten. — In the exact center of the rounded chamber, set in the polished surface of the giant Tre-Stone, they beheld the legendary Sword of Shannara, blade downward like a gleaming cross of silver and gold. — At last, afte... more »r all their effort, the endless marches, the miserable days and nights, there before them stood the ancient talisman they had risked everything to find. Allanon was missing, and Shea was lost as well. But the Sword of Shannara was theirs They had outwitted the Warlock Lord.
"Where is Flick?" the elf asked suddenly. For the first time they realized that he was missing. They glanced about the chamber, looking blankly at one another for explanation. Then Menion Leah, who had turned back to the gleaming Sword, watched the impossible happen.
The great block of Tre-Stone and its precious display began to shimmer and dissolve before his astonished eyes. It took only seconds for the entire image to fade into smoke, and at last into the air itself, until the med stood alone in an empty room, staring into space.
"A trap! The third trap!" roared Menion, recovering from the initial shock.
But behind him, he could already hear the huge rock door swing shut on their inescapable prison, creaking as its rusted hinges gave way under the monstrous weight of the stone. The highlander launched himself across the room, crashing into the door just as it closed on them, the snap of its locks clicking firmly into place.
Muffled laughter echoed brokenly off the chill walls, mocking their foolishness and their bitter, inevitable defeat.« less