Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

You step single-file through the rock, finding yourselves once again underground. There is a slope to the first several yards as you descend, but the footing is solid and easy to traverse, and the ambient sunlight illuminates your way.

As you reach the bottom where the ground flattens out and extends into the darkness, Maribel stops. She seems reluctant to proceed.

There is only silence at first. Soon, Maenor hears a soft hiss of air, like a wheezing bellows. It is rhythmic in a slow tempo, similar to the way a creature breathes, but it is sharp at first, followed by a slow intake of air.

It is coming from the ground, in a small nook near the feet of the person in front of the marching order. As Maenor listens, there is an explosive hiss, then silence.

With the assistance of more light, Maenor sees a large crack along the base of the wall dug out through water and time. Nestled within the tight confines is the sheen of scales, tightly coiled in a nest of dozens of snakes.

They hiss again, an obvious warning now that they've been revealed. Maribel pulls on the rein to try and back up out of the underground.

The snakes do not pursue, seemingly content now that the perceived threat is departing.

Ten minutes pass, and Coda once again expands his awareness and understanding.

The light reflects dully off the snake scales. Coda can hear the writhing voices from within the crack.