Going Deeper

The party was brought together at the entrance of a wide cave leading down away from the upper mineshafts of the dwarf colony. Majvok was standing next to the young dwarf Ifran who was to be their guide.

"How deep do we go?" He asked and Ifran shrugged.

"Deep enough."

"Maybe we could get a game of dice in on the way through." The thief suggested with a pat on his newly filled money pouch. While the others had slept he had spent the evening gambling which for Majvok was synonymous with cheating.

"I will pass." The Dwarf replied dryly.

"Are they dangerous these caves?" Balar asked as they moved forward into the darkness.

"Only to the unwary." Ifran replied and Balar gave a grunt, seemingly not satisfied by the Kurt answer. The Dwarf guide turned to look up at Erik.

"You may be forced to crawl at times."

Erik considered this and gave a resigned sigh. Dyvia chuckled and gave his leg a pat.

"Never mind my friend, if you crawl the that will make us near the same height. Easier for me to box your ears if you start brooding."

"I do not brood." Erik protested.

"I am afraid that you do my dear." Tiella chimed in.

"As silent as stone, as patient as the mountains, as deadly as an avalanche." Kespin mused.

"Yes thank you for that," Jorrik murmered under his breath, "great idea, prokove the giant while we are all stuck under a thousand tonnes of rock and dirt."

"He will not provoke me" Erik assured him, "I am growing deaf to his prattle."

"Noo!" Kespin yelped, "You must listen, I know things, important things, you must hear my words."

"And what is it that you have to say?" Luna asked who had just been listening until now.

"I... you know I have quite forgotten."

They walked for the best part of the mornng. Their Dwarven guide leading them downwards into the cold earth until at last they came to an enormous cavern. They gasped in wonder as they took in the vast landscape of crystalline structures that grew from the cavern floor.

"The Stone Gardens of Etheril." Ifran breathed in reverence, "we must tread carefully here."