Turn 27.0: Walkin' Bones!
Sent: 3/16/99
With the journal examined, Guilliam stands to get to the back of the marching order. Withdrawing a knife, he takes a few deep breaths to calm his nerves and softly says "nothing to fear but fear itself, eh?"
Nodding seriously, Edryd straps his shield to his back, keeping it accessible in hopes he can get to it in time if they meet up with the moaner in the cavern. He grabs a torch from Guilliam and holds it out for the young man to apply tinder. "Well, I volunteer to help lead up, light and all. Storm, I assume you'll lead us into the cavern?"
Storm grunts in anticipation and moves to the front of the group as they begin their descent. He also sheathes his Bastard Sword and removes his two long swords at the same time with a steady, quick movement. He gives them a quick twirl as he does this, and begins to walk forward.
Edryd then continues, "Well, I'd like to have Guilliam and his ears," he smiles at Crayne, "right behind us so we can keep tabs on whatever it is. Guilliam, can you read that rather inadequate description again?"
"Yeah, it went something like this," Guilliam replies, trying to remember (he put the journal away in preparation for their march), "They met up with some kind of beast or monster which killed a couple of their team, broke a few bones, and tore off a few limbs. There really wasn't much description..."
"Urhmmmm!" Crayne says contemplating over the information that he has so far received. "Ok! I think Canter's right! Let's go and have a closer look! We currently have very little to go on. There is no turning back now. Thus, we need to know what we are facing and the easiest way of doing that is by going to have a look. Thus, I suggest we all keep our awares. Storm is excellent in the dark so friend we are relying on you!" Crayne says tapping Storm on the back, "I do suggest that for the moment we only keep my lightstone lit as it is less likely to alert the beast straight off! Anyhow lets go!"
"Very well," Edryd says, blowing out his lit torch and setting it back in his pack. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Cy, meanwhile, gears up for a fight from below, trading a useless bow for his broad sword and shield... making sure that the steel greaves that protect his shins and feet are securely in place. He then takes up the rear guard, ready to march. "Lead on..."
The party then begins to enter into the dark passageway. Storm is in the lead, with Edryd just a step behind, almost abreast. Behind them marches, Canter, his bastard sword at the ready and his eyes trying desperately to focus in the dark. Crayne and Guilliam follow, Crayne holding the lightstone and Guilliam listening intently for any signs of the moaning creature. Cy is last, periodically checking over his shoulder to guard against a rear attack.
The passageway is hardly lit by the lightstone, which casts its cool yellow glow just a few feet ahead and behind its bearer. Storm, meanwhile, seems right at home, not even squinting his eyes in the dark. After a few steps, Edryd asks the dwarf, "do you see anything?"
"Nah," Storm replies, "it just keep's a-goin' down."
The passageway seems to last forever, soon, Cy can no longer see the faint light from the front cave behind him. Feeling a bit islolated and trapped, the experienced warrior scans the floor, walls, and ceiling as best he can in the dark. Every couple of steps he reaches out to the side walls to make sure they're still there.
After what seems like an eternity, Storm turns his head slightly to address the others. "There be somethin' ahead. Not movin'. Think it's okay..." He continues to lead cautiously. As the party gets closer, Storm lets out a sigh of relief. The lightstone's glow begins to creep up on what Storm first saw: A thick wooden door.
It spans the entire width of the passageway (perhaps four or five feet). It's construction seems relatively recent--the wood is not rotted and is very stable and strong. There doesn't seem to be any identifying marks on the door.
Storm reaches forward to give it a little push.
"Don't!" Canter whispers loudly. Storm pulls back, but not until after gently resting his palm on the wood.
"It's not locked," Storm says, "it gives."
"But we don't know what's on the other side." Canter says, almost scathingly.
"Guilliam," Edryd says, turning around slightly, "didn't the journal say something about the layout of this place?"
"Yeah," the bard answers, "there wasn't any kind of map or drawing, but it said something about there being an inner chamber and the mine shafts dug off of that."
Cy whispers, "I would venture to guess that behind this door lies that inner chamber. The question is, what's inside?"
"I don't see any evidence of magical influence that I can tell," Crayne offers.
Rubbing his chin, Canter suggests, "Well, there's not much we can do from out there. 'No fear!' Err...whatever you said back there, Guilliam..."
"Ok then," Edryd says, letting out a long breath and uttering a quiet prayer. "Let's take it carefully, Storm..."
Nodding and turning back to the door, Storm grinds his teeth and gives the door a gentle push. It slides open with a loud creek, much like the moaning from before. As the party slowly walks through, Guilliam asks quietly, "do you think the door was creaking all along?"
"That would obviously require someone to open the door, Sir Gale," Crayne says.
"You two stop your bickering, now's not the time!" Cy scolds.
Guilliam mouths the word "sorry" but his voice is not what's heard. Instead, it's Edryd, who, seeing Storm suddenly tense up and focus on something in the distance, calls out, "I think we've got company."
"Rrrr," Storm growls, "I be seein' sets of bones--walkin'!--and other slow movin' bodies. Headin' this way!"
1. So far, there are at least two sets of "walkin' bones" and at least two "other slow movin' bodies" approaching the party's position, though Storm is the only one who can see them right now.