Her Path to Power Runs Red

(This was meant for Dirty Pen Pals, but it mgiht fit in a little better here.)

The as yet unnamed woman strode down the ancient hall undeterred by the whispering of the frightened men around her. She hired them as sword wielders and torch holders, not for their minds or particular skills. They were bodies to her. It wasn’t that she expected any specific dangers within the recently discovered tomb, but she had spent enough money trying to find the artifact. A little more on some hired goons wouldn’t break her. Especially if the legends turned out to be true.

As they approached the stone archway, blocked by a door that must have weighed thousands of pounds, the hired goons gaped in awe. The sense of disappointment filled the air. The gate was devoid of any marking but for a hand impression in the dead center of the door.