Chapter 2: The Creepy Forest

"If that's what it is. So far, not all has been as it seems, eh, Xaka?"

"We’ve come this far, so I can’t see turning back now. It’s true nothing has been as it seems. All we can do is go in and see what this cave really holds." Kendral pauses and then turning to Belvedere asks inquisitively, "So, you are saying that you can’t charm snakes with that instrument of yours?"

"You all look like you need a rest. The cave would be more comfortable than the road or the forest floor. Your choice if we clear it or not. Also, Moonshadow has it right. Good eating on a snake."

"If it's truly a snake!" Grimbly is stubborn to a fault. "If Belevedere can serenade a snake I'll go into the cave."

Grimbly grips his crowbar tightly, just in case. He rummages around in his pack and withdraws a pair of metal tongs. "This might come in handy, and oh!" His hands feel a potion bottle, "I have a potion I forgot about."

Katie wanders tentatively closer to the cave, a look of rapt interest evident on her face, unconsciously singing the words to a half-forgotten song she heard as a child. "Into the dark, and what it brings. Secrete away your precious things. So many mysteries to explore..." As she gets closer to the entrance, she removes her pack and begins rummaging in it, never taking her eyes off the cave.

After a moment, she pulls out what looks like a large two-pronged fork. She continues humming the tune wordlessly as her fingers unscrew the spike at the bottom of Nutbuster, stow it in a belt pouch, and then screw the fork in in its place.

"We will need a torch," she says, almost to herself.

"You wouldn’t believe the things that have been charmed by my instrument, Kendral!" Belvedere says, with characteristic swagger.

"Yes, well… into the pit of vipers then! Lead on! Pray they aren’t big!" he says, relenting. Resting in a cave would be more comfortable…

Xaka scrounges the in the brush for torch friendly branches and collections of twigs. "We'll need to chase them out, then keep them out when we rest. So we keep a fire going, I suppose, and ... " she thinks it through, "roast any that get too close. I just hope it's not a big nest."

"Well, between your charm Belvedere and some torch fire, we could at least explore the possibility of this cave. If is seems too dangerous upon entry, we can instead retreat to the path's bend here near the cave and continue eastward towards the sea."

Kendral joins the efforts of creating torches.

Katie shakes herself out of her reverie and turns back to see her comrades getting to work. "Should I start a little fire out here? Then we can use it for the torches and move it inside later. Or might that just be attracting more trouble...," she trails off, looking at the forest and the path they came from.

Along with helping to construct some torches, Kendral summons Nimbus of Light."This may also help us in there."

Xaka summons a similar Nimbus, holding it beside Kendral to provide even more light together. "Moonshadow made quick work of one. Let that buoy your hopes in dark places."

"No I wouldn't believe it, Belvedere. Not at all," Grimbly says, eyeing the man suspiciously but with good humor.

"Katie, let's not bother with a fire out here. You're right about attracting attention. Here's hoping Moonshadow is comfortable in caves, Kendral. Or will he stay outside?"

As they step into the cave Grimbly reminds the group that he has no torch but he is very good at spotting traps.

"Shall I go in front? If someone is kind enough to light the way in front of me I will look for traps. I am hard to surprise," he says boastfully.

"That is good news Grimbly. I will walk beside you. This nimbus need only be near me. I imagine the same for Xaka."
"I believe Moonshadow will follow us into the cave. He already has ventured there for his dinner."

Kendral helped prepare some torches, but he does not carry one himself. He needs two hands to fire his bow and instead readies an arrow.

Belvedere feels for his rapier then, making sure it can be drawn at a moment’s notice! He tries to walk casually, preparing to send out a tune with his instrument if needed. If not charmed, then the snakes may be startled by the sudden eruption of noise in their home!

Katie happily takes on the role of torchbearer, and follows her companions lead - Nutbuster with snaking fork at the ready.

As the party enters the cave, Kendral holds up his hand and whispers, "Hold. My elven eyes reveal someone kneeling deeper within the cave, in the snake nest itself."

Grimbly stops short. "Surely it's a snake?"

His grip tightens on the crowbar as a prickling sensation tickles the back of his neck. "My senses tell me nothing, Kendral."