Cha. 1.2 - Sadur's and Kimbek Down and... up?

Sadur seeing that Kimbek is joining him notice his new "friend" sitting on his shoulder and that Pepper is also approaching them. The nimble, but not so big dino visibly wasn't so self-confident and frivolous anymore, instead looking more so frightened and subdued. Plus after recent harsh treatment from Sadur she is visibly trying to avoid him. But as she is looking for some support in this environment, she apparently is finding it in Kimbek.

Noticing a tiny insect perched on Kimbek’s shoulder, Sadur let out a sharp huff of disdain. The small creature froze instantly, shrinking into itself and feigning death. Observing this, Pepper trotted over to Kimbek, seemingly volunteering to take the lead for the uphill trek through the steep ravine.

Undeterred by the small drama, Sadur pushed forward with characteristic dwarven determination. Despite a pounding headache from the recent battle with the spectral tiger, he bulldozed his way through the underbrush, snapping branches and clearing obstacles with sheer brute force. His endurance saw the group through roughly half of the arduous ascent, but eventually, the strain and fatigue caught up with him, forcing him to pause.

In that very moment, Pepper—now thoroughly trained to stay with the group thanks to Kimbek—did something unexpected. The small dinosaur rushed over to Sadur, gently nudged her head under his arm, and made a clear effort to hoist him onto her back. Should Sadur accept the offer, Pepper would tilt her head toward him, emitting a long, birdlike squeal. To anyone watching, it might have sounded like she was saying: "See? I can be useful too!"

Taking advantage of the brief stop, Kimbek began to survey the surrounding vegetation. His keen eyes soon spotted something he had observed before—clusters of fruit he had named Death’s Apples.

"For humans, undoubtedly lethal," Kimbek muttered to himself, examining the fruits with interest. "But for a tiny creature that already carries venom in its body?" He pondered aloud, his curiosity piqued by the strange interplay of toxins in the jungle's ecology.

With the combined efforts of Sadur’s formidable strength, Kimbek’s keen observation and strategic planning, and the unexpectedly obedient and helpful Pepper, the group managed to ascend the steep ravine. Their teamwork carried them to the other side, where they quickly spotted a set of ancient stone stairs. These began just beyond the remnants of a precarious hanging bridge.

Step by careful step, they climbed higher, the jungle thinning slightly around them as the elevation rose. Eventually, the stairs brought them to a grand stone portal, its surface weathered and worn. The structure loomed before them, a silent guardian of what lay beyond. Its presence suggested it was once part of a temple, long since fallen into ruin, though the faint traces of its former majesty lingered in its carved details and sheer scale.

What do you do?

Kimbek looks at the impressive structure. "You think the others saw this too? Hopefully we'll catch up with them soon."

Huh. Sadur exclaims with not particular meaning And we didn't see it from the other side?.
I follow Kimbek wherever he goes.

What Sadur and Kimbek didn't know was that they were quite lucky, as the strange birds that Belladona encountered have flew somewhere else... probably still fighting for her red scarf.

Although a little tired they continued to climb over countless steps towards the stone portal, entered it with caution an emerged on the other side of short corridor contained in ancient structure's walls.

Before their eyes they saw another bunch of stairs ending with a square with a stone floor, on it some last remains of ruins and some tents sitting between them like ducks trying to hide in dense vegetation, but immediately visible.

Before they were able to reach the stairs leading to the square they heard a muffled sound to their left, coming from nearby bushes:
"Shhh..." - apparently someone was trying to attract their attention and probably themself too.

Pepper behavior changed a little, making it look a little excited and starting to sniff the air around them, but still staying close to Kimbek.What do you do?

Upon hearing the hushed warning, Kimbek looks around with some urgency then attempts to sneak towards the sound, taking Pepper with him. He also attempts to get Sadur's attention if Sadur had not heard the whisper.

If they are hiding from me - that should mean people afraid of me and are shushing each other (or their children for example). Sadur thinks straight. Dwarf barbarian is quite used for human children to be afraid of him.

I mean no harm. He say aloud, rise his hands to show he has no weapons and moves forward.