Chapter 4 Part 11

It started as a low vibration in the ground, which Norwind was the first to detect through his bare feet. He barely had time to alert the others when the vibration changed to a low rumble that could be heard by all.

Avery wasted no time. He directed everyone up to an accessible ledge some fifty feet above them. It was not what he wanted, but he could no longer be picky.

Keeneye, dragging a reluctant horse along behind him, had barely ascended into the climb when a fifteen foot wall of water appeared ahead and bore down on him at what he considered an unhealthy speed. He turned back to pull frantically at the horse, but found that the animal was already way ahead of him in climbing the rock. Horses, it seemed, were sometimes more intelligent than they were given credit.

The ledge was more of a challenge than it had previously appeared. The path was narrow and footing was chancy, but slow and careful progress ensured that no one fell into the rushing torrent below.

Near the cliff face, there was a dark opening leading into the mountainside an unknown distance. Keeneye found the others attempting to keep out of the sudden downpour of rain just inside the mountain's opening.

"I’m drenched," came the complaint from the lady of the group. "Let's build a fire."

"We don’t have any wood," said Ultrecht. "Camping in a cavern was not what we had expected."

"This is no cavern," Armegon observed. "The walls are too regular and square. It is my guess that we are in an old mine."

"Well, perhaps there are some old timbers further back. Why don't we go get some?" Tyson asked.

"Fine," Armegon agreed. "We don't need much. Would you like help?"

"Not really," Tyson waved casually. "But I could use some company to talk to." He turned to Seymore who was shivering quietly. "Come on, Seymore," he coaxed, "the walking will help keep you warm. Besides, you’re the only one who spent enough time traveling with Scarlet to know some of those dwarven underground navigational tricks."

"Don't stray off the main tunnel," Keeneye warned as he caught a piece of jerky meat Norwind tossed to him.

"Be careful," Marlena offered as Tyson pulled a glowing sphere from a pouch and headed off into the tunnel, illuminating the way with the small light ball. She watched as they moved further and further away until the light turned a corner. She could not put her finger on it, but she could feel something was wrong.

"Marlena," Norwind said while sitting next to the woman who had appropriated more than her fair share of blankets. "Could you rid us of this storm without drawing attention?"

Marlena closed her eyes and shook her head. "No," she said, "weather control is a powerful type of magic."

Keeneye looked back at the storm. It was raining heavily. Ultrecht was sharing a snack with Armegon and Samson while Norwind and Avery were taking advantage of the rain to wash the animals out on the ledge.