Chapter 4: Adventures in Blingdenstone

Rolling his shoulders back to test his wounds Elfog shudders as Hunter recalls the group's run in with the Prince of Demons.

"Abisel Incuresion?! What's that mean?"

Hunter thinks about it, and tries to find the right words in Dwarvish. "Attack. From the Black Was Delved Too Deep," she explains in the dwarven tongue, hoping she got the mythology correct.

Elfog's face turns white as he remembers the stories once told to him by his grandfather.

"Aye" he says quietly. "The sooner we get out of here the better!"

Hunter pauses. "Before I go to the surface," she begins, hesitantly, "how far is it to Neverlight Grove? I should like to see Stool home, but the mention of the Queen of Fungi makes me think something terrible might be waiting. Is it possible to investigate?"

Elfog lets out an audible grunt at Hunter's line of questioning. "Something terrible might be waiting? Everywhere we've been something terrible been waitin' for the lot of us!"

He shakes his head in frustration, "'course the mushroom wouldn't stand a chance getting home alone now would he..."

Hunter tries to recall if relocation matters to a myconid, concerned that establishing a new telepathic bond might further traumatize the sprout.

Soliin stands and walks up to the bag he threw earlier. Leaning over, he pokes it and looks up at his hosts. "You guys wanted this medusa head, right? What are you going to do with it?"

Hunter decides to ask Stool specifically about what happens between different myconid groups, should the sprout need to find a new home. "Is that something you could do? Or do you need to rejoin your original family? Whichever you decide, I will see you there."

For Hunter, it is settled. She will remain in Blingdenstone for as long as it takes before the svirfneblin can take Stool home, and accompany them.

"I don't wish any of you to stay on our account," Hunter says to the others after she explains why Stool must go to Neverlight Grove. "The gnomes know the way to the surface, so you are set to go home."

"What's another few weeks? The gnomes may know a way to the surface from wherever we drop Tool off too, so I'll stick around."

*grumbles under his breath*

"As much as I long to see the sky once again I would be glad to spend some more time learning from the gnomes of Blingdenstone. And I have an appointment to keep with Gurnik. If you'll excuse me I will rejoin you all later." Mai’ngor bows to Dorbo and heads for the Speaking Stones, anxious to hear what the priest has learned about his sky-stone.

Hunter nods. "I appreciate it," she says, "and I'm sure Stool does, as well. Let's see about that bounty."