All Clear

JP with mdman, Lorem, LucianNepreen, Lasersexpanther and Cindy

Cronk looked about, seeing that all seemed to be abandoned. It was barren, like a forgotten melody, which escaped Cronk’s mind this very moment. But, he remembered he once knew it, but what it was, Cronk couldn’t tell you.

“Cronk look?” he asked, wondering if he should check it all out.

"We are going through the temple and to the tunnels. I'm afraid it's far too extensive of an area to check out completely but, Mr. Cronk, it might be good if you check the courtyard and the entrance to the tunnels. Make sure there aren't any nasty surprises waiting for us in those areas." Elizabeth said. "Don't go down, yet but just look inside the opening.”

Cronk nodded in an affirmative fashion. He stepped out of the van. Checking every nook and cranny, Cronk did not spy anything unusual. He tripped no triggers to traps, which if there were some there, Cronk would have likely triggered them. At least, he always triggered the traps that Pretty Flower has made.

Cronk peered inside. He didn’t see anything inside the door. Shrugging, Cronk turned back and walked toward the others within the van.

“Cronk see nothing,” he shrugged again, holding out his massive hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Cronk." Elizabeth then spoke to everyone. "We still, of course, need to remain vigilant even in areas that have been checked. Let us head to the entrance then.”

The discussion during the trip was pleasantly helpful in keeping Lorem distracted from the fact she was nervous to be out in the field. She seemed hesitant as she got off the bus. In addition, the gnome was standing close to the others and would practically be in their shadows as they moved. As they neared the entrance she lowered one of the settings of her ocular apparatus over her eyes. Her remarkable hearing was on full alert, the strongest of her five senses.

Cronk looked down at Loren with her gear. “Pretty Flower close to Cronk?”

He meant, of course, that she should stay near him. He would protect her.

Lorem didn’t have to be asked twice. The maneuvered her way near Cronk. She realized if things started to crescendo, she would probably want to be further from him due to the likelihood he would be in the thick of any trouble. Yet, for the time being it provided an extra layer of security. “Thank you Cronk.” She replied gratefully.

Vor, despite the pleasure of the ride over, was far more anxious once they arrived and were properly searching through the complex.
Being back in this place was bad enough, but the chance of being watched from the shadows was a terror all on its own. Cronk did much to alleviate it with his towering presence, but he knew the Children would be crafty if they wanted to attack. Thus he stayed close to the orc, even though being behind him was a danger of its own.

Elizabeth looked over the team. "I say we let Sasha lead. I'll go next. Then Lorem and Vor you decide who goes next. Then Cronk. Once we are in the temple, we can spread out more. Some of the tunnels will be narrower than others but I do believe Cronk should be able to fit where we are going." Elizabeth was guessing based on what she had been told. "We can head downstairs when everyone is ready.”

Cronk looked to all others. He wondered if he were bringing up the rear because of what he had done in the van. He chuckled and figured he was just guarding the backside of the group.

“Cronk ready,” he answered.

"Does anyone need a light source? We have lanterns and torches in the van." Elizabeth asked. The lanterns were slightly smaller than average, which made them easier to carry while still allowing more than sufficient light to be illuminated with the device. Each lantern had enough lux lapis to go for several hours, once the water hit the mineral that was. The torches were clockwork powered flashlights, cranking got them to shine. The torches didn't last as long as the lanterns but were a little easier to carry around.

Cronk knew he wouldn’t necessarily need light. Orcs had lived in caverns for centuries before coming out into the light of day. His eyes were accustomed to exploring his roots as he grew in Norway. He often missed those days of little responsibility.

Cronk simply shook his head in a negative fashion. Besides, if he were bringing up the rear, his huge body could block light from shining backwards from their company.

Sasha gestured to the device she carried in the hand not holding her gun. "Got my own." she said, sliding the torch into a socket on the side of the rifle, so both hand were free to hold it. "I'll take point and lead the way. Once inside until we know its clear keep talking to a minimum and only speak if their is danger before hand, sound travels a long way down there and we don't want to tip them off to soon, if anyone is still around." Sasha instructed as she stood at the door Elizabeth had pointed out and took a breath ready to enter. Putting her finger to where her lips would be as she opened the door to the tunnels slowly.