CH 9: To the Walls of Pax Tharkas

[JadedDM]

"Same thing as gully dwarves, I'd wager," Eben says, cleaning off his blade with an old rag. "Mostly rats." He tosses the rag to Tika. "Here, you're a mess. That was a pretty good hit, cutie. More to you than meets the eye, I think."

Stepping forward, Goldmoon asks, "Is anyone hurt?"

[Jerrard]

"Well done Tika, but that was rather rash." Sturm mutters quietly, agreeing with Eben "Wyrmslayer is indeed a mighty weapon, you wield it with Skill."

He turns back to Caramon, "Thank you my friend, I know you would prefer to be in the front line."

[JadedDM]

"I don't mind being in the back," Caramon says. "But it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me to put Tas and Laura up front, when they're way more vulnerable."

There isn't much that makes sense to you!

Caramon starts, and looks around. He was so used to his brother saying such things, he almost expected to hear those words spoken. Realizing he only imagined it, he blinks and shakes his head a bit. Life without Raistlin was difficult to adjust to.

"Oh, umm...what was I saying? Oh, right. Anyway, luckily it all turned out okay."

[Jerrard]

"I agree Caramon, we do not know what we are going to face." He turns to the whole group, "Can I suggest a slight change in order?"

------
Caramon / Sturm
Laurana / Magpie / Tas
Riverwind / Goldmoon
Eben / Tika

[Jenara]

"You are both right, but Tika is dangerous with that blade."

[JadedDM]

Goldmoon shines her light on the wall before them. "Collapsed," she says. "Likely since the Cataclysm. It would take months to dig through, and it wouldn't be safe." She turns, looking back the way they came. "We have no other choice but to search for another path."

[Nuke]

"Right Magpie, I wonder too what is in there." Riverwind approaches the slug and looks to open it's stomach.

[JadedDM]

Riverwind slices open the slug's stomach, revealing a number of dead rats, some as big as the ranger's arm.

[HorizonsDream]

Tika grins a bit sheepishly at Eben as she takes the rag to clean off what she can from herself and Wyrmslayer. "I'm not quite sure how I'm the reckless one though," Tika says. "You were the first to charge in."

[JadedDM]

Eben shrugs. "Well, it was just a hunch that the thing wouldn't use that acid spit up close. So up close was the best place to be," he says.

"Anyway, it's my experience that it's only 'reckless' if you screw up. Otherwise, it's 'bold' and 'daring,'" he adds with a wink.

[Nuke]

"See what else you can find little one, I'll help too." Riverwind heads towards the cave-in to look around.

[Kafen]

Tas winds his way back towards the tomb and makes sure everything is safe, there.

[Jerrard]

"The path with the Wraiths?" Sturm asks thoughtfully, watching Riverwind with the Slug. "One has to ask how such a creature appeared here."

"It appears we have no other option does it Laurana?" The knight asks, not sheaving his blade, the sword somehow appears clean and shiny despite the creature.

[Jenara]

"I suppose we do..." Laurana face turns pale, thoughts of running for her life filled her head, did Tas ever notice the fear? Of course not. "We can only hope that Goldmoon is strong enough to drive them back."

"I have a thought." She adds after a few moments. "It is likely these Wraiths are Elven, how would they react to Wyrmslayer? Perhaps they might realise its power and that we are here to do good."

[Kafen]

"We are keeping it safe!" Tas says encouragingly.