Background

Seriously, it's a blob. I really should be able to hit that, now, right? Knocked, and released.

Can I hurt it when it's in water form? Who knows... but I've gotta keep trying... and the fates have to turn in my favor at some point, right?

I back away from the puddle, as far as I can get again, while still having time to fire an arrow off... at a puddle. This should be interesting...

As the light fades again... I think to myself, At least I took it down with me...

Just before the very last, I think Well, I guess that answers the prophecy question, once and for all.

"Not quite dead? Mostly dead?" You struggle to open your eyes and turn your cheek that is smashed into the floor. You attempt to sit up but ropes bind your wrists and ankles in elaborate and, dare you think, eloquent knots. Then you recognize the voice. "Looks like ye figured out to stay outs of melee with ‘em, the mimic, at least in the end. I‘s come for my trident. You can thanks me for revivifying ye"

"Gnurf blaugh."

No, um... what?

*cough* "Was... was this all just some sort of test or lesson? I don't understand." I mumble through the side of my mouth, my face still pressed to the floor. He could have at least moved me off the pile of bones... then again, I am alive. But still, he stole from me! Augh!

"Sorry. Thank you, I think. I'm a little confused as to whether to trust someone who whammies me, steals my stuff, and then watches while I nearly die." There... I did the right thing, thanking him at least. But not without a little barb at the end. He can't possibly expect me to trust him again, can he? Well... I guess the ropes answer that question.

"I would ask if the ropes are really necessary, but I'm not sure of your intentions, so I can't say they are unnecessary. But could you do me the favor of helping me to a sitting position? These bones are not comfortable, and talking like this is rather difficult," I grumble, the rough floor scratching at my face uncomfortably.

Apparently, almost dying, then really almost dying after that makes me a bit moody. Who'd'a thunk?

"Aye, you’re mostly coherent, too. Good. I found you cold dead and now you are grumpy. That’s at least an improvement. I’ll take my things and the 10gp I took before and I won’t charge you any extra. Oh yeah, the Elvin cloak and leather belong to a friend of mine. Please return them to him when you see him in Baya. He walks out of the cave without further a due.

Well... I guess the cost could have been worse. Webbed fingers... wonder what that will do for me...

After a little while, a lot of wriggling, and a touch of rope burn, I manage to break free. Clearly he didn't mean to leave me here to die, else getting out of the ropes wouldn't have been that easy. Rubbing my wrists, I look around the room, glad that Teoalis left my torch with me, and lit no less.

With a small, okay, fine, rather sizable, grunt, I drag myself to my feet. I need to rest, but I need to get my things in order first. I check my pack to see if the old sea dog was telling the truth. Hunh. What do you know... that's actually all he took. But... how the heck am I going to recognize his friend in Baya?

I grab a couple of fish out of my pack to chew on, and, with a slight stagger, I walk about the room, checking to see if any of the 5 arrows I shot are recoverable. I then check outside to see if the fish I laid out to dry are still there, and still good. I'm gonna need something to eat on the way, and without that fishing pole... not that I really knew how to use it. Only fishing I've ever done is ice fishing, and I figure that's quite a bit different than fishing in the sea.

Glancing up towards the entrance to the cavern, I notice more light bending around the corner than before. Must be the next day... and it looks like Teoalis took down the bear skin on his way out. I hope he left it in the pit, maybe I can rest another night without anyone happening by here. Still... I step back into the room and pull the door mostly closed. Then I stumble over to my pack, lay down, and fall asleep quickly. Guess I wasn't as alert and composed as I thought.

I wake up, wondering what time it is. No way to know in here. Nevertheless, the rest has helped. Just about time to find out if all this was worth it. I grab some more fish from my pack, as well as my hammer and chisel. Even after all the action I'd just been through, I still remembered those cracks in the wall. With any luck, there'll be something back here, something to justify almost dying. Something so I don't just regret the decision to explore this deadly (haha) cavern.

I begin to chip away at the mortar, my muscles only slightly sore from being revivified. And sleeping on the hard ground. Should have taken the time to roll out the mat...

I grab my torch and proceed into the hidden passage, alert and watching for further traps, wielding my dagger at the ready.