Culdat and Jardel moved forward to check the entrance to the cave. Culdats little form scoured the stones and dirt with a skillfull eye while Jardel concentrated his inherant paladin ability to detect evil. Turning back to the group, he informed that there was no evil directly within the entrance, though the entire cave gave off an evil that everyone could feel. Culdat came back to the group and informed them that he could not find any traps on the outside of the cave. While looking into the entrance, he could see from the light from outside what little there was due to the constant rainclouds, that there was a natural room formed into the wall of this cave about 30' wide and 30’ across. Bones littered the floor. Kothas walked up to the group after talking with the soldier that was uncharmed, "My man Winston told me of what happened. I am ashamed that I fell for such magic but there was nothing I could do about it. I also heard how brave all of you were and defended our lives with little concern for your own. I thank you and my men thank you. Winston will be promoted when we return to Andevar for his actions here and his family will be rewarded with gold from the new king. But I'm afraid this is as far as my men and I go, we are to stay here and guard your horses until you return with the Scepter of Power. Talthan must return, for he has been issued new orders, as he is employed by the king. We will guard your horses with our lives as you guarded ours while we were vulnerable," then walking to Da Ghiri, "I owe you the greatest debt of thanks indeed, as your magic saved my life. Anything you ask will be yours, as long as it's within my abilities." Looking back to the rest, "I fare you all good hunting and safety while travelling these dark tunnels," he said and began preparing camp. After hearing what Culdat and Jardel had to say about the cave, Humus addressed the others, "I guess that we had better go ahead and do this, but first - Kethas, Da Ghiri, Caladan, and Ashal do you have the spells ready that you need ? If not, we might want to camp outside until you are ready to enter. I'm sure that we will need all the spell power that is at your disposal to succeed in our task. Culdat, will you please take the lead ? I'll be right behind you. Everyone be ready for anything." Humus then unsheathed his sword and willed it to give off light to its maximum (30 ft glow), and waited to enter the cave behind Culdat. Culdat bowed deeply. "Well, thank you graciously for acknowledging my skills. I will take the honor of point, however, I will not be making the decisions. Just make sure that there is a way left clear behind us in case the way is not clear in front." "It certainly sounds as if it might be a challenging time and I, Ashal of Mount Barren, have never been one to turn down a worthy challenge. As I'm sure that your group has been together long enough to gather each others strengths, my strength lies in the realm of elemental magic, though I've been known to use a sword on occasion." "I lack a couple of my spells, since I haven't studied today and I've used one of my spells already but give me 10 minutes and I'll have another magic missile spell ready" Caladan interjected. Ashal replied too, "I could use a nights rest and study. I fear however, those winged hags could've been some type of sentry and the noises made by dispatching them could have alerted those within. Our chances may be better with quickness." Placing his staff in the crook of his arm Da Ghiri bowed deeply from the waist before Ashal, not breaking eye contact, hands at chest level with the right fist covered by the left hand. "It is an honoor to make acquaintance", he spoke. "I woould be honoored to tell you the stoory of the princes rescue sometime", he continued smiling, "but I believe Culdat might tell the tale better." Half looking towards the cave half looking at the rest of the party, Humus said "It appears that the majority wants to memorize spells for a few minutes. I thought that might be the case. We do need to be prepared, but we must also hasten on ward. Take up to 30 minutes to prepare, and then we will need to be on our way. Those of us not memorizing spells, might want to stand guard at the cave's mouth since any attack might come from there." Humus then took position at the cave's mouth while the others memorized spells. After Jardel finished his initial preliminary scan of the cave entrance he looked into the round of adventurers - all eagerly awaiting their very doom. "Well, it looks as if things are decided. We shall wait a short while for Caladan and Da Ghiri each to memorize their spell. Should Kethas or Ashal have one to memorize, then now is the time and if we have any protection spells, we should cast them before entering these tunnels. What I have seen from up front is a small chamber roughly 30’ by 30’ littered with bones, probably the lair of these two harpies, but it is to dark to discern more in this dismal weather." He walked over to Kothas, Talthan and the guards. "Kothas, you and your men are not to be faulted for being entranced by harpy magic. So far what I have seen of you pleases me and brings pride to the crown for having such devout soldiers in their ranks. Please take care of the horses, although you might want to find a more pleasant location to camp than this dismal sight. If any serious threat should arise then feel free to retreat with the horses to Vain. I will command Aistlin to follow your orders." He unshouldered his shoulder sack and withdrew a small piece of chalk, which he broke in half and reached one piece to Kothas. "Here, take this chalk. Should you leave this cave entrance, then write a short message over your next destination on the dry cave wall. I presume you as a lieutenant to the king are capable of the written language in common. Talthan, I am sorry for not continuing our adventure together, but I am sure the king has another important duty for you. Farewell." Next he walked over to Aistlin, patted him on the rump and whispered some words in his ear, recieving some snorting with a horse tail swatting around nervously. Back with the group - as some time had already passed - Jardel stood under one of the few trees remaining, trying to keep as much rain away from his already soaked body as possible, shield leaning against his leg. He fumbled with his square leather waist pack (apothecary) and withdrew some peppermint leaves. He held them up under his nose and sniffed them intensively. "Might aswell take in some fresh scents, after smelling those gut exposing harpy corpses. I am ready whenever our spell casters are."
The spellcasters of the group all had studied long enough to rememorize spells, whether from book or meditation. Upon word from Humus as to move into the cave, the group took one last look at open air and prepared to enter darkness which may hold more than mere nightmares. With Culdat leading the way, he quickly darted into the cave mouth with the light from Humus’ bright blade lighting from behind. He motioned to the group to enter as he has found no traps. Following him in, two bright swords lighting the cave mouth with eerie shadows dancing around the walls of the 30’ x 30’ foot natural room. Bones and fairly fresh bodies lied scattered about the floor, piled upon one another nonchalantly. A wooden pole or maybe a very smooth branch had been wedged between the east and west walls, apparantly a perch for the harpies. Directly across the chamber was an exit hollowed out into the cave leading into darkness. Silence seethed from the makeshift portal about 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Seeing the bones and fresh bodies scattered about the room, Humus motioned towards the freshest corpse, "Those poor souls. Da Ghiri, Jardel, do you think that we could give them a decent burial after our business is concluded here ? We dare not take the time now and give our enemies a chance to attack us. Culdat, would you please take us deeper into the cave ?" As Culdat entered the portal, Humus followed behind cautiously as if the walls themselves were going to come alive. Da Ghiri nodded at Humus, "Of course. Pray give me a few mooments to purify and protect the area against these pooor souls being further defiled, then wee can give them the proper honoors when we have time". Da Ghiri took a lit stick of incense and began chanting and praying over the bodies while clensing them. A feeling of peace and hope descended upon the cavern for a moment, then faded again ... "I am ready", Da Ghiri spoke, "let us proceed." Pausing for a second, Ashal unshouldered his backpack and pulled out a piece of papyrus and quill. Shouldering his backpack again, he says "perhaps it might be a good idea for us to have some kind of bearing in this place". Keeping his sword scabbarded, he scratched out a rough outline of the chamber and fell back into the marching order.
Jardel aqknowledged Ashals intentions with mapping the forthcoming journey. "Ah, very well Ashal, from one scholar to another I deem your idea excellent. In my spare time I have been taking various notes over our events. I even tried a map of the lands, yet my skills with the pen are far less trained than with the sword." Jardel followed the party in single file into the small portal taking up the rear, leaving sufficient space not to ignite Kethas walking in front of him with his now lit flame blade. Every step was made cautiously and quietly, at least trying - considering the armor he was wearing. Every few steps, he glanced behind him, to prevent a surprise sneak attack from the rear. The little halfling seemed fully immersed in his sneaking and peeking. He moved towards the newfound exit and examined it thoroughly, attempting to judge darkness ahead to see if it was a corridor, or another chamber, checking the floor, walls and ceiling for any sign of threat to the group. Unsheathing his newly acquired blade, Culdat moved further into the darkness. You notice that he seemed to be at ease in this terrain, at least moreso than in the big open spaces. Humus motioned for the party to stop for a minute. "I just had an idea that might work if things become dire - and it relies on our little friend here," Humus gestured to Culdat. Pulling out the bag of holding that he got from Enchantras he continued, "I didn't think of it at the time, but this can be a mighty one-shot weapon in the right hands. As you might or might not know, if this bag is punctured or ripped - from either the inside or outside - everything in it will be lost forever. Now picture this. Our little friend here jumps out of the shadows and plops this bag over a demons head, arm, leg, tail, etc. The bag is cut by sword or dagger and poof, the appendage is gone never to be seen again. We could only do it once because the magic of the bag would be gone. Also, we would only want to do it if the situation is most dire since we only have one bag. What do the rest of you think ?" Looking right at Culdat, "It might be wisest to give off a one word signal to you to let you know if we want to do it or not - otherwise, you could just hack away at the rear of any beast that we find. Do you think that you could - or would - be willing to perform such a dangerous task ?" Handing the bag over to Culdat, "In any case, it might be wisest for you to carry this. In this group, you are the most skilled at - hmmm how to put this nicely - not being detected. Whenever you enter a new room/cavern, you might want to try to enter secretly, and somehow signal us as to if it is safe to enter or not." The halfing shuddered. "The thought of what might become of a little fellow like me if such an outrageous tactic were used, good sir Humus, causes me to want to scurry out of this dreadful place this very moment. As you say, however, if the need is dire, then it would most certainly be a more welcome progression than that of having my toes curled by a demons horn. I will accept your bag, and your advice, although to make pirch upon such a beast in the heat of it all would almost be more difficult than trying to pilpher one of Old Lady Hawthorn's bumbleberry pies back in Corm Orp. And a signal you say ? Perhaps no words would be more apt than ... "Tymora's Luck !" The little halfling took up the bag of holding hoping that the others did not notice that the fist that grasped it has gone white with fear. Putting a comforting hand on the halflings shoulder, Humus tried to put some of Culdats fears to rest. "Yes, little friend it would be a most dangerous tactic, but in some ways, it would be safer than standing right in front of an enemy. This tactic would best be used if one of us was directly confronting the enemy and you leapt from behind. They probably would be so intent on the battle, that they wouldn't notice you until it was too late." Smiling he added, "The signal that you mentioned would be most acceptable. In any case, I would be loath to lose a magical item such as this unless the need was great and some of us might not live." Caladan had closed his spellbook and replaced it in his backpack. He then unsheathed his two-handed sword and walked towards the cave. "I've got a bad feeling about this place" as he got closer and noticed the purified corpses "I wonder who these guys were and if they were on the same mission as us."
Entering the cave mouth, darkness slowly engulfed the party with only two magically enchanted blades barely illuminating the immediate area around the adventurers. Jardel, a lot more serious than usually, hissed at the others to be more quiet, not wanting the whole mountain to be alerted of their arrival. He gripped his medium shield a lot tighter and pulled it close to his body. Carefully he moved along through the narrow stone portal, as the last member entering it in single file, eyes darting around extremely nervously. Yes, many years had passed since his last dungeon crawl. The party walked cautiously into the portal following Culdat. Words of encouragement seemed to help the halfling as he checked diligently for any traps. Finding none, he motioned on. Staying well within Humus' 30' radius sword light, he looked around the surroundings. As the group walked into the cave, the size of the group forced the front of the group forward a little as it was only about 10' wide. The ceiling was quite tall though, at 10' as well. With a total of 45' of light, the group was able to see the tunnel, which lead straight north for about 30' then turning abruptly left at a 90 degree turn. Silence was now being replaced by the distant sound of wind howling from deep within the bowels of wherever this dark tunnel might lead. Water could be heard dripping from somewhere ahead, a slow melodic drip that was quite eerie when echoed off countless walls. Seeing the abrupt turn, Humus signaled the others to stop. With a voice as loud as a whisper, he addressed the others, "That is as good a place for an ambush as I've ever seen in a while. You have to be careful about taking those blind corners. I think that we need to carefully check around the corner before we advance - lest we be attacked or there be a trap there. I would say that Jardel and I should stay here with the light for the moment. As we approach the corner, our light will get brighter - alerting anything on the other side how close we are getting. Culdat and Caladan, why don't you two check the corner to be sure it is safe. You might want to listen first - probably for a couple of minutes, and then take a peek. Does anyone have a mirror that they could use to peek around ? Also, Culdat, if it is clear, why don't you check that area for traps. As Jardel stated, caution is of the utmost importance. We can not - and must not - take unnecessary risks." Staying to the sidewall in the marching order, Ashal kept a roving eye to the ceiling. "This place is certainly the stuff tales are made of, let's just hope that we can do what we need to do and get out, so it'll be a tale we can tell." Reaching across his shoulder, Ashal kept one hand on his sword hilt. "I do noot have a mirror", Da Ghiri murmurred. "If no oone else does, perhaps oone of your magical blades is shiny enough too serve as a crude substitute". Culdat moved silently up towards the new turn searching the ground, walls and ceiling for any sign of trouble. As he neared the corner he whispered to Caladan, "Cover me, I'm going to do a little crawling." He moved forwards once again until reaching within five feet of the turn and lowered himself into a crawl, onto his belly to lie still. The halfling strained his ears to listen for any sounds that might have given away any surprises ahead.
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