2: ACROSS THE PLAINS OF AZANULBIZAR

Verin ended the spell, the eye faded as Ssinjin vanished. The Drow was frustrated, he should have known that his sister would make things difficult. He wondered if her wound from their previous encounter still festered, if it was still painful, if it lingered, a living thing of misery forever, a cancer in her flesh.

This thought cheered him up a bit as he climbed down from the boulders and rejoined his group. The dryders had just come back from a swift patrol of the dangerous surrounding canyon. They had gotten a little damp from the rain run off and were a little put out.

No one approaches at this hour, the sky water is falling heavy now soon this place will be full with it.

The massive things said in stereo, and they were right. Verin would have to get to higher ground and he would have to do it soon and in the rain.

Verin looked up, the rain was steadily penetrating their covered space in the ancient canyon, the drow was getting wetter by the minute. The timing of all this troubled him.

Is this your doing somehow Ssinjin!? Is your plan to drown us like some feeble human children!? The insane black elf mumbled. Of course this thought was madness but consider the source.

The black clad drow walked to the others.
We must leave the canyon, we will go higher up this wretched rock to find better shelter. Be aware that my sister is hidden somewhere on this heap of stones, she will kill all of us if we are not careful. Be warned, I will not take your remains back home if she slays you in this place. This should be more than enough motivation to keep your eyes and ears fixed. We leave now.

Verin turned away from the group and began hiking out of the covered canyon and into the rain.

Augustine continued to walk to the base of the mountain, his worn robes were doing a fair job of deflecting the rain. The druid had always spent a great deal of time outside in all manner of weather so the storm did not deter him. Augustine quickened his pace, hoping to catch up with Tiphereth. A feeling of dread was still with the druid, ordinarily he would have been quite at home in a wild and beautiful place like this but not this time. The druid climbed the large boulders and broken stones and followed the same ridge that the Phariekin had traveled.

Lightning flashed and thunder crashed, the druid wondered briefly if the lightning was finding any targets on this ridge. The druid had some talents and powers but none of them covered being struck down by lightning.

The ridge shuddered and shook with the thunder, wait was it the thunder? Earth and stones pushed up at Augustine's feet, the druid stumbled back in surprise. A giant muddy toad pushed from the ground and climbed out into the rain. The thing was about eight feet across, it gave the druid a nasty look.

Augustine could smell it's acrid breath, even in the heavy rain.

Brianna had dismounted along with the others, sorrow filled her heart as she watched the beautiful horse leave her to make his way back to his home. Turning, she looked towards the foothills, watching the druid as he made his way along. She'd heard what he'd said to Lac and had a sense that he was indeed right and there was something sinister ahead. She rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a second's notice. Raising her head, her hair was plastered to her head, falling in long, wet strands about her face. She was drenched, as was everyone else.

She decided to drop back and pull up the rear along with the dwarf when she saw the druid jump back as a giant muddy toad bubbled up from the mud. Never had she'd seen such a hideous creature...well, except for the goblins and orcs...but this thing was slimy as well as ugly and huge! She was unsure as what to do with such a creature, but common sense told her that if it had been in the dirt until a good rainfall, then it would be hungry and as large as it was, it just might see them as tasty morsels.

Drawing her sword, she made her way up to the druid, standing next to him.

"Do you have any experience with a creature such as this, druid? Will it see us as a main course?"

Leaping into the air, the Elfling gracefully rotated and landed a good ways from the enormous toad. He couldn't help but grin at the thought that while dwarfed by the great beast he felt much like one his lesser, diminutive cousins, and like a sprite, smiled mischievously at the slow amphibian as waddled it's bulk out of the mud.

"Forgive my intrusion." he said politely to the giant toad as it hissed defensively.

Sorrelwind, realized the creature could not understand him but he did not feel it necessary to react aggressively. He, was, however very wary of the creature's tongue and made sure not to foolishly give it a target. As he deftly skipped away across the slippery rocks, the Phaerie could see another giant toad emerge below at the feet of the Druid that had strayed away from the others on foot. Beyond he could see that the ranger and dwarf yet remained mounted, but had lost sight of the woman.

Tiphereth was well aware that despite its massive bulk the toad would be able to lash out with surprising quickness, but that it's ability to turn would be lacking. He thus stayed adjacent to the creature, maneuvering to it's side when it began to turn, not allowing it to position itself for an attack. Eventually he was able to skip up atop a ridge of high rock, well above the toad and out of it's range. Whether the creature thought him a meal or not, the Phaerie could not be sure, but it seemed wise to avoid the enormous mouth else it mistook him for a snack.

Keeping his eye on the Druid, Tiphereth made sure he had room enough to avoid the other toad. His own, was simply sitting in the rain, croaking away, not much of a concern at the moment, but should it decide to join it's cousin at the bottom of the muddy slope, Augustine might just have his hands full.

Augustine got his footing again on the muddy and wet rocks as the toad emerged, it rubbed some mud from one of it's eyes and hissed at the druid. Augustine took a step back, he moved slowly in case the formerly hibernating toad was looking for a meal.

The druid heard Brianna approach behind him, she came to where he was her sword at the ready.

"I believe that it was the rains that awoke this creature not our passing." Augustine had some strong influence over wild animals but he had not encountered many such as this. Wolves, bears, deer, and horses, sure, and plenty of them but not many things that live and squirm in mud. The druid hoped that his instincts were correct.

"I think that if we make our way slowly that this big thing will not harm us. Use caution Brianna this ridge is now slick with rain and mud and this toad has a nasty bite and a poison tongue."

The druid moved slowly to the side of the toad, it opened it's mouth and drank some of the rain as it poured down. After the refreshing drink the toad snapped his maw shut and slowly shifted to watch Augustine and Brianna. It did not move after that, it just watched.

Augustine climbed higher on the ridge still trying to catch up with Tiphereth, as the druid hiked he stumbled a few times, a great deal of mud was flowing down the ridge. The druid continued to climb, his next steps loosed a large cluster of stones they came free and tumbled past Brianna down the incline and struck the toad.

The toad shifted as the rocks struck it, it hissed and bounded up the path charging the druid and the woman. The great toad was inflating it's throat as it charged (although it was not the swiftest thing) it was building up it's acidic venomous spittle.

Augustine and Brianna had a fair amount of time to react for the toad moved slowly, still it was coming and it was big and very surly. The ridge above the two humans was narrow and slippery and they did not yet know that there was another dire toad just up the path.

Brianna looked behind her and saw the toad turn at the onslaught of rock and mud, none too happy about it either. She looked up and saw Augustine struggling with the mud that was sliding down the ridge. Looking back again, she saw the toad inflating it's throat and although she didn't know what it meant, she had a feeling that it wasn't good.

"Augustine, keep going. Get to safety and I will keep our friend occupied."

Brianna stood in between Augustine and the giant toad, her sword at the ready. She heard Augustine continue to climb but dared not risk taking her attention off the toad. She moved to the side, waving her sword to hold it's attention onto her as Augustine made it to safety, at least she hoped he was.

She watched as the toad turned it's attention onto her, it's bulbous eyes following her as it clumsily turned it's bulky body to follow her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Lac and the dwarf still at the bottom of the ridge.

The great toad hissed at Brianna as it lumbered at her, it charged as fast as it could and attempted to butt into her like a angry goat. The toad lowered his wide head trying to connect with the woman on the hard spot just above it's nostrils.

The druid saw this unfolding and began to come back down the incline and try to aid the woman.



Brianna, it may not be trying to kill you, it may just be warning you off!
Augustine stumbled within a few yards of the woman and the toad, the creature's eyes followed him as he slowly came near. It snorted out loud, a pungent steam was drifting from it's nostrils and mouth.

Brianna heard Augustine shout at her and stopped, lowering her sword when the toad turned towards him. She sheathed her sword and moved to place herself once more in between the druid and the great toad.

"Okay, well, if he's just warning me off then head back up the incline and I will follow. But, I'm not taking my eyes off of him. So, please, go. Just in case he's not warning us off, I have the weapon, you don't."

Brianna kept her eyes on the toad, once again gaining it's attention. She nudged Augustine towards where he had originally climbed up and one hand behind her, pointed to where he'd come down, telling him silently to head back up.

That's when the toad charged again, catching Brianna in her side as she turned to avoid the hit, the impact sending her into Augustine, both hitting the ground. Brianna winced, knowing that she was bruised again as she slowly rose off of Augustine, still watching the toad. She reached down, offering her hand to help Augustine get to his feet.

"I be surrounded by plains and forest dwellers." Grunted the Dwarf as he coxed his ram up the rocky incline.

The great ram sprang gracefully up the mountain side but even its sure feet found the slippery stone challenging, especially with the Dwarf upon it's back. "Blasted rain!" Cursed Othargren as his mount was forced to take an alternate routed.

The Dwarf had encountered the lumbering nuisances many times in his own mountain home and the though they seemed sluggish were not to be underestimated. Their great maws could snap of one of the woman's wee limbs in a single bite, and they spat poisonous bile when threatened. The vile substance would be absorbed through the skin and over time the victim would succumb to a fever and suffer delusions if not properly treated.

When the toad charged Brianna, the Dwarf could only growl out of frustration while his ram was forced to take the longer way round. "By Baeld's Hammer girl!" he shouted, "Are ye daft! Don't be meetin' that beast head on!"




Sorrelwind observed the other giant toad precariously wander to the edge of a steep incline that slid directly into the path of the other. Helplessly he watched as the enormous creature neared the decline and clumsily lost its footing and began to slide down the side of the mountain. The toad tensed as it slid down the slick stones and Tiphereth was pleased to see that the Druid and woman had taken to higher ground, although he couldn't be sure that it put them completely out of harms way.

As the giant toad slipped down the the slippery rock, it struck several large boulders and a small land slide, trailed in its wake. There was little that Tiphereth would be able to do in time and so he just stood and watched as the giant creature tumbled down the mountain, causing a land slide.

Augustine was soaked through his trusty robes now, he had mud up to his knees. The druid's elbows and knees were just raw from climbing and stumbling among the rocks. As another bright flash of lightning came he could see the toad charging at Brianna, throwing her into him, the druid fell into the mud again.

Brianna got quickly back to her feet and helped the druid up. Augustine was frustrated now, he wiped his wet hands on his robes and then folded them inside his sleeves. He concentrated on his thoughts, trying to quiet them. This was harder than it seems in this angry weather, the wind howled, the rain beat a steady rhythm against his thick robes and of course there was the relentless thunder and lightning.

Augustine took a couple of deep breaths and silently called out to any plant life growing on this ridge, the druid could sense the ancient tree roots that criss-crossed this rocky ridge. The old trees were very happy to help, their stringy roots pushed up from the soil and rocks and began to attach to the great toad.

The black tree roots coiled around it's chunky feet effectively anchoring it where it stood. The toad croaked in confusion and pulled at the roots but it lacked the dexterity to get free.

"The trees will release him momentarily, let us make haste to higher and drier ground..."

The druid began to hike back up the ridge, being careful to avoid starting any rock slides.

Despite the druid's vigilant and tentative steps a rock slide had already begun. Aside the ridge upon which Augustine and Brianna scrambled was a natural trough, a natural drain cut by the flow of water. The giant toad from above slid down the pipe building up speed and vibrations from it's massive body quaked the side of the mountain. Loose rocks began to tumble down the ridge as they pelted the larger rocks, the heavy boulders began to roll.

Sorrelwind gasped as his hand slapped his forehead. The druid and Rohir woman were directly in the path of the rock slide. To the west of them the huge toad barreled down the trough towards its anchored brother and to the east of them a steep drop into a narrow canyon. The walls of the crevasse were slightly inclined and seemed climbable from Sorrelwind's perspective, but he was ignorant of how mortals moved, and was beginning to realize just how much this lack of understanding was threatening those around him. If he had possessed any foresight of just how dangerous the situation truly was he would have attempted to stop the addle brained toad from tumbling down the mountain but like a fool he stood by, entertained by the display. He had to make things right.

Tiphereth bolted down the ridge toward the two, but his light footfalls slipped on the loose wet ground. Catching himself, he continued with caution. The high winds made it too difficult to float and so his leaps and bounds were minimized if he wanted to stay his course. Sliding down the ridge, he passed between to great boulders and saw that their bases were beginning to crumble. One began to slide, and the Elfling could think of nothing else but to throw his weight against it to buy the others some time.

Sorrelwind threw his back against the rock and found a solid foot hold. The immense weight of the boulder pressed against him, but his powerful legs pushed against it like steel springs. It was only a matter of time though before he gave out. He could not lift the boulder only delay the inevitable, but should the massive stone fall, he feared that what ensued would crush the others.

Across the narrow canyon, Tiphereth could see Orthargren upon his black ram. He stared helplessly as the events transpired and knew that he would never reach the natural rock bridge further up the mountain in time. By the time he crossed it to reach the Phaerie and the others it would all be over.

From his angle, however, the Dwarf could see something that the others could not. Pointing to the wall of the canyon, he shouted to the druid, "Grasp the roots!"

The roots from the ancient trees along the ridge snaked their way down the wall of the narrow canyon and the Dwarf spied what seemed to be a natural cave behind them. If the entire ridge went it would be their only refuge, unless the druid and woman found safety on the other side obscured from the Dwarves vantage point.

A few rocks tumbled into the canyon, descending into its depths.

Brianna heard Orthargren yell at her, but she had no idea not to meet the toad head on. She'd never dealt with these creatures before but she took his words to heart and was getting off to the side when she saw the tree roots wrapping around the toad, heard the druid say to get to higher ground and then the rock slide started.

She looked around, seeing Tiph up above, trying to stop a large boulder from joining the rock slide and crushing them. She then heard the dwarf yell something about roots and saw what he was talking about. She shoved Augustine towards the roots, yelling at him to grab hold when larger rocks took her feet out from under her. She slid about 10 feet before she was able to grab hold of something and realized that it was one of the roots holding the toad near it's front leg. She looked up and saw one large eye looking down at her.

Looking back up at Augustine, she hollered at him.

"JUST GO!! GET TO SAFETY!!"

The rocks pelting her and and the toad were becoming bigger and she knew that she needed to do something and fast or she would be either toad food or buried. As she struggled to get a hold admist the falling rocks, mud, and pebbles she heard a 'snap'. Looking around, she saw that the roots were beginning to let go of the toad.

Jin called upon her invisibility spell to conceal, herself from Verin. It was only a temporary fix for now. But knowing her brother, he was already looking for someplace to stay out of the weather and would make his move when the weather was better. And right now, it looked as though there was no letting up of this rain. In fact, it was starting to come down quite hard.

Jin decided to travel a little further up the slope when she heard a strange noise from below. Even in her invisible form, she could see what was transferring with the others. No, No, Nol, she thought. You have to take shelter!. Not yet. But it was too late. They were already headed in her direction so she had to help protect them as best as she could.

But wait. What….was….THAT? What sort of creature was now charging the woman? Was that…a toad? Oh no…..that WAS a toad. And if memory served her right, it was poisonous. They had to get the hell out of there! Taking material form once more, she let her keen eyes take in the whole situation. The only one that wasn’t in the middle of things, yet, was Lac. But right now, the woman, Sorrelwind, Augustine and the Dwarf were going to be crushed by the soon to be falling boulder Tiphereth was barely holding onto. And the toad Augustine had secured with the natural vegetation was about to get loose. At the same time, the woman was loosing her grip.

Looking at Lac, she saw he was seeing everything the same time she was and knew what the inevitable outcome was going to be. Her transportation spell would work on the some of them, but not all of them so she would have to find an alternative pl;an of action. It was going to take a collaborative effort to get everyone to safety, if at all. She had to rely on Lac for the woman. She could handle the Elfling and Augustine. But she had to make her spell work just right.

Scurrying as fast as her legs would take her, she moved towards the others as she whispered ancient Drow words. The boulder Tiph was straining to hold suddenly became as light as air and it actually began to lift off the ground. Seeing the strange eyes look around in disbelief, Jin had come to a stop just a few yards from where Tiph struggled to maintain his hold on the boulder. Yelling at Sorrelwind, her voice strained and her upraised arms trembling from the effort of holding the spell to levitate the boulder, she let him know it was OK to let go now.

”Hurry! Get to….Augustine! I….can’t hold it….much longer….!”

Lac had dismounted Lightning and was leading him up the rock strew path, when a shower of stones began to fall. He looked up to see the large toad entangled in roots and the Rohirian woman Briana hanging percariously above him. Lac said "Quesuthuistacurakarnlinyis miryis forothuthuren lineldagilgileldadae curaothmirperarthnaristaothnar, daeothwinnar tirhilelda mirothuthunartirarthistanar, arthnardae stareldaeldakarn stararthforeldatiryis. ..... Lineldaarthdae yisothuthuren brinrenothtirhileldarenstar arthnardae staristastartireldarenstar tiroth tirhilelda Gilarthper othfor Renothhilarthnar winelda winistalinlin mireldaeldatir yisothuthu tirhileldarenelda." ( translation: Quickly my four legged companion, down the mountain, and seek safety. ..... Lead your brothers and sisters to the Gap of Rohan we will meet you there. )

Lightning turned quickly and made his way back down the mountain side to a place of saftey, whinieing for the other horses.

Lac moved quickly to position himself under Brianna, bracing his legs and the root broke and she fell into his arms. Throwing her over his shoulder he leaped to an nearby rock outcropping and dreww his sword. The large toad's weight finally broke the roots that were holding him and he slid down towards Lac and Brianna. Spitting venomious mucus up towards the roots. Lac swang his sword and the creature passed. The blade of his sword sliced easily through the throat of the enormous creature as it passed and slide on down the side of the mountain. Lac stuck the blade in the mud and withdrew it cleaning the blade. He then sat Brianna down and asked "Are you injured? ....... We need to move to higher ground as quickly as possible." Lac then leaped to a higher rock outcropping.

Brianna gave a short scream as the root broke and she was sure she was going to be toad food when Lac caught her. She gave an 'umph!' when he threw her over his shoulder, getting them to safety as he dodged the toad, slitting it's throat in the process.

Nodding her head to his inquiry on whether or not she was okay, she followed him up the the incline to higher ground and safety. She was scratched up and bruised from the falling rocks and her side was sore from the impact of the toad when it had knocked her and the druid to the ground, but other than that, she was okay. She was actually more worried about Jinn's sharp tongue than anything. She'd seen Jinn do something to the boulder to make it levitate and looked around to see if Jinn, Tiphereth, Augustine, and Orthargren had made it as well.

"Thank you, Lac. Go make sure that Jinn is faring well."

Brianna saw Orthargren on his ram, and watched as Tiphereth and Augustine made their way up the incline. She turned towards the direction of her village, the mud falling off of her in rivulets from the hard rain. They may as well find somewhere dry to get warm until the storm passed, unless Lac thought they should move on. How far they got in the slippery muck she didn't know, but she also wondered if there would be a place that was dry in this downpour.

It was not until, Jin's voice shouted above the wind and rain that Sorrelwind realized that the boulder was actually not tipping over but rather rising into the air. He wasted little time. The Phaerie sprinted down the side of the mountain. At one point, he seemed to be running upon the the rolling stones then leapt into the air and snagged the druid by the arm before the larger stones struck him. There was no where else for them to go but over the side of the crevasse but Sorrelwind trusted in the Dwarf's directions and sure enough was able to grab hold of the tree roots that had grown out of the side of the canyon wall.

Sorrelwind held fast to a root while gripping the druids arm tightly, dangling him over the abyss momentarily before they swung back to the rock face. The Elfling was strong and was able to easily to support the man's weight but before Augustine could take hold of a root and break free Tiphereth's hand, they fell.

The rock's began to spill over the edge of the crevasse and to avoid them, Sorrelwind loosened his grasp and the two men began to free fall. As they plummeted, the Phaeirie kept a hand on the root and stared down at the druid with his black, expressionless eyes. Lifeless, like a doll's eyes. Then they stopped with a jerk, and Augustine could feel the tendons in his arm stretch as the Sorrelwind swung him out into the open air as he kicked hard off of the rock wall. They dangled precariously over the deadly fall, as small stones hailed down on them, a few stricking Tiphereth, but he did not let go. As they swung back, he then hurled the druid toward the canyon wall and used his momentum to carry them forward and right through a mass of tree roots that had been concealing a cavern.

Augustine could instantly feel the ground beneath his feet as he flew forward and behind him the Phaerie seemed to slow himself and hover in the air as they melted into the blackness of the unknown.

Jin saw the Pharie quickly move away from the trembling boulder and rush towards Augustine just moments before she could no longer hold the levitation spell on the boulder. Seeing Lac had Brianna in hand, literally, and away from the danger of the large rock, she released her spell and the boulder at the same time. The boulder crashed onto the side of the mountain and began to roll down the slippery slope.

Unfortunately, for Jin, when the boulder crashed to the mountain side, the ground beneath her gave way and she tumbled down the side of the mountain along with the loose debris, stones, a few trees and lots of mud. Her form became obscured by the large mound of mud that quickly buried her beneath its heavy mass

By the time the mud slide had stopped, Jin was no where in sight and her presence could not be felt by any who had the ability. Jin, it appeared, had succumbed to the harsh environment she was trying to save her companions from.

*********************
As Jin began sliding with the earth that let go beneath her, she knew she didn’t have the strength for another big spell after the levitation one had drained her. There was only one thing she COULD do. With a quick rush of words, she cast one final spell. As she felt her body being pummeled by rocks, sticks and other debris, she sent a missive to the only person she knew could help her just prior to her passing out.

*********************
A harsh gasp intake of air awoke Jin followed by excruciating pain and a gargled scream slipping past the Drowess' lips. It was dark. No light penetrated where she was, but she could feel the presence near her and knew her message had been received. Now the question was, would she receive the help she asked for?

Jin’s body ached in some places and down right screamed in pain in others. Her breathing was labored and each time she took a breath she could hear wheezing. Not a good sign at all. She tried to move her limbs and was rewarded with such sharp pain she cried out in agony.

”P-please….I beg you…..let me…pass to…to the other…side or….help me….”

She heard the form move, a slithering like sound filled the darkness, and Jin felt the warm breath against her cheek. Whispered words were spoken and Jin felt tears spring to her eyes. Trying to nod her head as much as she could without hurting it, she swallowed hard and took a few more ragged gasps before she gave her answer.

”Y-yes….

Then….blackness.

Lac witnessed Jin slide down the mountainside with the mudslide. As she became burried beneath the debris he ran and slid down the mountainside behind the falling rocks, mud and trees, fell to his knees and began to dig with his hands. Throwing tree limbs, rocks and earth as he dug frantically. As the mud filled the hole he had dug as quickly as he removed it, Lac knelt in the mud anguish and dispair filled his face as he said "NO! This is not how it should be, it is I that should forfiet life. I have failed in my vow." As he continued to dig desperately.

It felt as if the whole mountain was was coming down around them, rocks of all sizes tumbled down towards Brianna and Augustine. The toad was no longer a threat, Lac Nala had seen to that , the half elf had killed the creature and snatched up Brianna in one swift motion.

Enormous boulders were heading down to where Augustine was, the druid shut his eyes and tried to use his powers but he could put the rock slide out of his mind. Looking around him Augustine could find no place to run, his choices were slim, jump over the edge of the ridge and onto certain death or wait for the boulders to come and destroy him. Fear was creeping into the druid's mind, he called upon his powers again, he could feel his mind connecting with the growing things all around him.

Before the connection was made the Phariekin swooped in and grabbed up the mud caked druid, they swung out over the edge of the ridge and away from the tide of massive rocks and mud. Tiphereth had Augustine in one hand and a tree root in the other, the black eyed elfkin let the root fall away and with a few fluid moves and a lot of grace he maneuvered the both of them into the obscured cave entranced.

Augustine was very pleased to be off the ridge and out of the heavy rain.

Many thanks friend, I was out of ideas in that last moment.
Augustine wiped his hands on his robes, the cave was very cool but it was dry. The druid came to the opening of the cave, it was on a sheer rock wall. The rain was still coming down in sheets, there would probably be no climbing down into flooded canyons and more mud and falling rocks.

I hope the others are safe, I did not see what became of Ssinjin did you? Did she get clear of the falling rocks?

Tiphereth shook off the mud that had accumulated on his low soled boots and peered into the darkness at the back of the cave while the druid studied the entrance, enshrouded by a wall of roots. When he thanked the Elfkin for his efforts, Sorrelwind was quick to bow and cordially responded with, "I am honoured to have been able to assist you." He then took note that the druid seemed curious of his behaviour as he inquired about the condition of the Drowess.

The Elfkin's, Deithrin eyes gazed beyond the cave and drifted across the muddy mountain side. "I do not see her, nor do I feel her." he announced with no sign of remorse in his mask like face.

Sorrelwind then moved to the back of the cave and found around a pillar of rock a passageway, descending deep into the mountain. He reached into his satchel and produced a small silver lantern. He whispered to it and it beamed with a soft bluish coloured light, more than adequate to see by. The Elfkin eyes turned a luminescent lavender in the pale glow of the lantern and he now saw as the druid did.

"Augustine." he called and pointed to the passage. He then motioned with a nod to bring to his attention to the hand carved stairs that descended into darkness.

Tiphereth then stood back awaiting the decision of the druid and as the silence lingered between them felt that it was necessary to explain some of his world to the Oak-man. "Where I am from, druids are revered. You are a Man of the Oak, the wisest of us all."

"Revered you say, well I am but a man, a grateful man. If it were not for you, today would have marked the end of my life and the end of my Druidic sect for I am the last one. There are no others that wear these robes left alive except for me. Take comfort in knowing that you have kept our knowledge, traditions and secrets alive for another day."

Augustine smiled weakly as he rubbed his chilled hands together, he kicked more mud from his boots as he walked with Tiphereth to the staircase. The druid descended the stairs with the Pharie, perhaps the way lead back to their friends.

" I pray the others have escaped the rocks and rain."
The druid wondered if these kinds of thoughts were crossing the mind of the strangely detached Phariekin as they walked down into the unknown. Tiphereth's eyes glowed in the lantern light but his face was blank as a dead man's.

Soon Augustine would need to meditate and allow his powers to grow strong again, he did this every morning and every night. This practice was necessary for the druid to maintain his connection with the growing things of the world. Augustine decided to wait a little while before he mentioned this to his companion, perhaps when they had reached the bottom of the mysterious stairs there would be time.

Brianna followed Lac, digging alongside of him, trying to get to Jinn. When he knelt back and yelled in anguish, her heart broke for him. When he continued to keep digging, she dug along with him.

"Keep digging Lac, I will stay until we find her."

Brianna felt a nail break off to the quick, but didn't utter a sound as she kept digging alongside Lac, determined to help get to whom she felt was the love of his heart. With each tear she watched roll down his cheek, she dug harder, breaking more nails to the quick and jamming the tips of her fingers into rocks, bruising the tips. But still, she dug alongside Lac. She knew Jinn didn't care for her, but she was a part of their group and apparantly, held a piece of Lac's heart. She said nothing as she stayed beside Lac, digging as fast as she could, trying to get the mud and rock out of the hole, even though it was looking like a lost cause, but she wasn't going to give up....she wasn't going to leave her friend to dig alone.

Sorrelwind furrowed his brow at Augustine's response then smiled. It was the most expression the druid had yet to see upon his placid face. He offered the man an understanding nod as he too knew what is was like to be alone the world. Unique and unable to find solace in familiarity.

The Deithir Phaerie did not believe for one moment that the druid would not have been able to save himself but acknowledged him, nonetheless, with a humble, welcoming bow.

Tiphereth handed his small silver lantern to the druid and the robed man's curiousity was satisfied to learn that the blueish light it provided had no heat. The Phaerie then took the lead, able to partially use his sensitive sight with the light behind him.

The followed the ancient stairway deep into the earth. The serpentine corridor wound's way along the side of the canyon wall and quite often it was impossible to see ahead due to the curvature of the passage. Twice they could feel the temperature significantly drop and as they passed through the second barrier of cool air a sound came to their ears. A strange noise, like the sound of something hard and hollow striking the hardened ground in a drumming pattern.

They were near the bottom of the stairs and the sound echoed through a vast chamber, created long ago by some subterranean dwelling people. From the left of the chamber, which they figured to be West, there was the slight flicker of lightening that reflected down the canyon. They could then make out the sound of trickling water, and smell the fresh scent of rain carried upon a cool damp wind being drawn into the cavern.

"What is this place?" Questioned Sorrelwind, intrigued by the architecture of the columns that framed the entrance of the passageway they had just descended. The ornate crowns of the pillars, possessed strange characters and were adorned with, of all things, 'spiders'.

Augustine took the lantern in hand, it was smaller than he thought and appeared to be wrought from pure silver. It's blue light was constant and gave no heat. Augustine wondered if Tiphereth had brought this from his 'world', was the druid now holding a rare treasure from another dimension?

Augustine smiled wide as he held the lantern, it's magic intrigued him, was this one of a kind or did all his kind carry such a thing? These were good questions for another time.

The druid walked just behind the Phariekin as they turned deeper and deeper into the earth. Augustine was hearing the strange thumping or drumming, whatever it was must not be too far away. The smell of the rain was strong now, they must have reached a chamber that opened out to the wet weather. As the two travelers entered the chamber Augustine could see Tiphereth marveling at the architecture.

Augustine held the lantern a little higher, the intricately carved spiders that covered the tall columns were visible to the druid now.

"We are trespassers now my friend. We have left one world and now walk in another. If any of the Drow that claim this place find us here we will be treated as enemies. They will show no mercy."

The druid seemed uneasy as he spoke, he then set the lantern down with care and sat on the cool stone floor. Augustine pulled his legs close to his body and tucked his hands in his robe.

"I must meditate and rest momentarily, I apologize it must be done..." Augustine said quietly as he began to even out his breathing, soon the druid's eyes were closed.

As Augustine meditated he could feel his powers renewing, the druid let his mind slip from his body and connect with all the green things that grew on this mountain. Augustine could sense them all, ancient gnarled trees, small bushy things that sprang from stony cracks, wildflowers that climbed up the rock faces, thorny vines that creeped everywhere, and even the rare and deadly things that grew in the dark places on this mountain.

As Augustine sat focused Tiphereth could see the druid's power renew, roots and vines in the surrounding chamber twitched and squirmed in the walls of the deep chamber. Even this far below ground his power was great.

Lac stopped digging, stood and looked down the side of the mountain to the valley below. "No she is gone, we must move on. The need to find and save those that live and those that still remain under threat is what matters now. We must honor her's and the young wizard's sacrafice . We must move on." ...... Taking a forlorn look at the whole they had dug Lac then turned and moved down the aide of the mountain........"We travel South thru the Misty Mountains thru the western Gates of Wellinghall, the cave Augustine and Tiphereth passed into, must lead to Wellinghall, we shall find them there. Then we shall pass thru the eastern gates, thru Fargon Forest, south to Dengdingle then to the Gap Of Rohan."