Chapter One - The Adventure Begins

"Just a little bruising. Nothing to fuss about yet." Toe winks at Rand.

Dracone stands still. He pulls his shield arm into his body to help support it and keep it steady. His weapon arm he lets down to his side to rest it. He turns his head just enough to listen for anything up ahead.

Looking up at the tunnel's exit gaping above him, Fhenryl frowns as he considers his wisest move. After a second, where he stays seemingly frozen, his whole being tensing with awareness for the dangers above, he swings around and huddles close to Dracone, uttering in a hoarse whisper the following words: "Warrior. Get me a hand mirror. Now."

He glares at the armored knight expectantly.

Making his way towards the skulks, Rand bends down on one knee a couple feet away with sunrod in hand. Looking at the skulk he saved from the cracked skull.

"Take it easy, you were on death's door a moment ago. You must concede. We found out your plot and more are coming soon to take you away. However, it might be beneficial to you if you make our venture a little easier. What are down these corridors?"

Rand motions with his shielded arm towards the tunnel entrances in the room.

Dracone gives his companion a look of iritation at the way he asked but, turns and makes his way back to the others. As he approaches the end of the tunnel, he looks first to make sure it is still safe, then steps into the room.

"We have come to climb. Our friend needs a mirror, does anyone have one on them?

Dispensing of standing around in complete darkness, Fhenryl follows Dracone back to the main room, where he attempts to explain his plan: "We don't know what's in the room above, I didn't hear anything but we know these... scum" at that he stares at the tied-up skulks with ferocious intent "... more of these may be hidden up there. Or a trap. Whoever climbs will be in a completely vulnerable position. We need eyes up there before we enter the room." He gives the group a calm, inquisitive stare.

"Thus: I need a mirror", and turning his attention between the paladin's shining shield and the sunrod: "... and a source of light."

He then pulls out a piece of string and a bolt from his quiver, and starts wrapping the small cord around the pointed head. "I can set it on the tip at an angle, thusly." He shows his contraption to the others before adding with a shrug: "Unless one of you city-dwellers has a simpler, more civilized way of doing this ?"

The ranger then turns his attention towards the tunnels, apparently done with his unusually long and convoluted explanation.

Unfortunately, I don't typically pack a mirror. Unfortunately. This trip may change that. Jaqir says, as he pats his pockets thinking if he has anything that could remotely be used as a reflective surface.

With a look of visible frustration, Rand cast an angry look at Fhenryl.

"NO, I don't have a mirror. Why not just look up? No doubt they heard the clashing of blades when you ran in here! Just parry them."

With an exasperated long breath out Rand closes his eyes.

" Sorry Fhenryl, I can cast light on the bolt but it'll move from Dracone's shield."

Reach for his waterskin he makes a signal of offering to the skulks. If they accept he will toss it to them.

The surly half-elf gives Rand a cold stare and seems to tense up at the cleric's dry comments, but finally shrugs his shoulders as he gives out a non-committal grunt: "No mirror, then. I'd thought everyone of you fancy folks had one at hand at all times..."

He bares his teeth at the cleric in what could pass for a mirthless smile, but soon turns back to Dracone: "I can climb up if you keep the light going under me. Should be enough for me to see past the hole and into the chamber above."

He takes a few steps towards the dark passageway before suddenly freezing in his tracks.

Turning back on his heels, his eyes sparkling with something between anger and glee, his face breaks into a wry grin as he adds grimly, looking around at his assembled companions and their trussed-up prisoners: "If my headless body falls back into the tunnel, you'll know the room is probably trapped. Now let's go."

.

Dracone smirks at his new companion.

"If your headless body drops down, we'll have something to feed our prisoners."

Dracone turns to follow Fhen down the tunnel to help light the way.

Leaving his great crossbow leaning against the tunnel wall, the whiskered hunter secures his warhammer to his leather belt and proceeds to brace himself against the sides of the vertical vent, edging his way towards the opening above as he uses his legs and back as leverage on his slow, careful climb.

Trying to be as silent as possible, he tilts his head towards the opening as he reaches just below ground level, stretching his neck in an attempt to get a sense of what's in the room he's about to pull himself into.

After a few seconds of tense alertness, he grabs onto the edge of the opening and catapults himself inside the room, using all the strength of his arms and shoulders to jerk his body up and quickly roll head over heels, landing in a crouching stance a few feet from the rim. His right hand already clenching on the hilt of his weapon, Fhen swings his head rapidly from left to right as he scans his surroundings, ready for anything...

Rand give a smirk to the skulk.

" Well at least not easily."

Hearing the sounds of combat down the tunnel Rand runs to the parties aid.

Hearing the sound of a blade above, Dracone figures Fhen isn't alone. He jumps up, grabs edge, and hauls himself up into the room.

Turning towards his ambusher with a growl of pain and rage, Fhenryl grabs his hammer and rushes the skulk, swinging at the creature with all his strength while fighting the weakness in his right thigh, now covered in blood.