When Kip took the lead with Vilef, Tato and Gvin, everyone noticed that the color of Kip's hair had returned to blonde. Other than that, the climb around the edge of Mount Arbor was uneventful. Vilef led them directly to a series of at least a dozen interconnected cave openings, where all moved in and hid with their beasts. The pegasi were nervous....
Rollvag and Neetah went to the last cave in order to take a look at the terrain below. As they reached it, they noticed that an Elven archer was already watching for movement. He was dressed in Emerald Green. He put his finger across his lips and nodded as they approached. Rollvag and Neetah carefully peered out from the opening. As it was very dark, the Army of the Drog looked like a black carpet against the green of the hills around them. They all seemed fast asleep. The castle itself had some glowing lights within its towers. Everything looked unsuspecting. When Rollvag had seen enough, the thought occurred to him that Neetah would be at the caves while the adventurers were all down in the tunnels. He thought about Neetah, his new friend, and wondered if he would ever see her again. Rollvag took a look at her, and she looked back. He held out his hand and she reached out took it and held it. A few minutes passed as they watched together. Then she squeezed his hand and let go. With that, Rollvag gave a nod and returned back to the central cave. "If only this war was over..." he thought to himself.
Several elves led the Adventurers to the back of the huge central cave. There they saw a sponge beast being tended by two younger elves. The beast was grey with black spots. As they got closer the beast shuffled past them. They could sense the heat radiating from it as it pulsed with energy.
"Now you know how we cut passages out of stone," said Elkin.
"Is that what makes those round holes?" asked Kuros.
"Right you are!" answered Vilef, "The Udachi are not very smart, but they can be guided and make obedient, peaceful companions below ground..."
The adventurers readied their equipment and divided themselves up into their assigned groups. Vilef handed each adventurer a glowing stick. Each stick looked like a miniature staff and gave off a soft glow. "These will light your way without any smoke." said Vilef.
"All ready?" asked Rollvag. Everyone nodded. They proceeded down the passage....
Elkin's bright staff lit this first part of the journey. All around them were pockets that the now diverted stream had tunneled and carved its way through the rock. There were shades of red, white, blue and brown swirled in the limestone walls. "These colors will delight the evacuees," noted Kuros, "And let them know that they are almost free."
Next, a door appeared ahead of them. Elkin turned and ordered: "You must be quiet here!" They passed through the door and entered a cathedral like cavern. About a hundred feet away on the opposite side of the cavern was another door. Elkin led them across and through this door. Rollvag was worried that this was a weakness in their plan. After the second door was shut he moved up to Vilef. "Why is this stretch here?," he asked.
"It is surrounded by a type of volcanic rock that takes too long to eat through!" replied Vilef quickly.
"But isn't this cave very near the place of the Oteg garrison?"
"Yes, but I have several guards posted."
Rollvag gulped... "I hope that they are good." he said to himself...
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© Copyright 1999 by Abram Paradies.
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