The Dragon Hatchery

"Slowly, to be sure."

"What are you two going to name your dragons? Assuming they don’t eat you, of course."

after the hunters pass, the coast is clear, and the path ahead is wide open. A deep silence hangs over the camp like a curtain, and the only light is from inside the cave mouth about 250' away.

"Now is our chance. Let's go." Elceran makes for the cave.

Umm I haven't thought about it lol he tries to get out while following Elceran's lead.

Clarice will follow behind Elceran, keeping her eyes open for anything unexpected along the way.

as they approach, Clarice thinks she sees something out of the corner of her eye. A man sized shadow slipping deeper into the cave mouth.

Of course when she looks straight on, it (if it ever was there) is gone.

"Careful. I thought I saw something by the cave entrance."

"As long as they don't see us, we should be alright."

Linston will come last and keep an eye behind.

the entrance to the cave is broad and tall, but you can see the ceiling quickly lowers to about 15' in height. The morning light lets you see 30' or so into the gaping maw before darkness closes the curtain.

But beyond the dark flickers of light dance dimly and cast long looming shadows.

"I'm going to creep ahead a bit."

Clarice cautiously enters the cave, moving slowly along the right wall.

EDIT: 24 then, as per the post below (Forgot all about that...)

Elceran scans deep into the cave as Clarice creeps forward.

Elceran scans deep into the cave as Clarice creeps forward. the cave is deeper than either of their eyes can penetrate. Possibly much deeper. A single stone column seems to hold up the vaulted ceiling. Then Clarice spots a flash of black robes and the tip of a spear behind the column.

A dragon claw. Guarding the entrance.

Standing as still and as quietly as she can, Clarice looks back towards the others and raises her index finger on right hand. She'll hold her position and keep watch on the man.

After watching the man for a bit, Clarice decides to take a more pro-active approach. Using her natural ability to create noises or fake objects, she'll create the sound of low whistle to the right of the man, just to see how he reacts.

A bit of fleece catches the air and floats delicately towards the ground. As a low whistle begins to almost moan deeper in the cave. The man in the mask turns to his left, has a look around, then says "what the hell is that?"

And a second dragon-claw steps into view.

"dunno" he says "I'll check it out"

and he disappears deeper into the cave.

"Great idea, Clarice!." Elceran thinks for a moment, then creates the sound of what he thinks in a large egg breaking farther back in the tunnel.