The path to the falls was slick and damp, but not so treacherous it couldn’t be traversed slowly. Following the directions we had, we descended the path under the falls, watching a thick curtain of water fall in unending torrents to the river below.
As we picked our way across the ledge towards an opening in the cliff face, some reptilian forms crept over the edge, carrying bags of wriggling silver fish. AS they saw us, they dashed inside.
We quickly followed, trying to reach them before they could raise an alarm, but they had other ideas and had in fact been lying in wait, trying to take us by surprise.
The fighting was short but fierce, as the creatures had razor sharp claws and teeth and used them to swift and terrible effect. Their stench was equally hideous and it was almost hard to breathe near them for fear of retching. Fortunately having been warned by the centaurs I had gathered some caroweed seeds and the aniseed smell they released when crushed was enough to keep it from being overpowering.
As we continued along, we saw the corridor split. To the south, rough hewn stone and the stench of the troglodyte lizards. To the north, it edged into the worked stone of dwarven artisans. We were about to head north, when a bellowed cry of pain came from the south.
Helikaon and Calliope were already heading towards the cry. I tried to shout a warning as these creatures had already demonstrated their ability to hide in ambush, but it was lost in the rush. Without support, they would be lost, so the rest of us hurried on after.
A rough hollow to the left of the tunnel was lit by flickering fires and in the chasing shadows reptilian forms slashed at us. Two centaurs, caged, tied and almost at their end were trussed and badly hurt. I threw a healing spell towards the one that looked closest to death and paid for it with a painful slash across my kidneys.
I shifted into my hyena form, it’s animal ferocity needed in the close confines of the caves, but as I bit and rended, swords and magic fire flashing and the terrible reek of the lizards, we heard yet more coming up from the south. Braz solidly formed a defense and Calliope, Alke and Theo threw blasts of magic into the frays, keeping them destabilised.
The last of the lizards fell in the prisoners' cavern, but our southern flank was hard pressed. Fighting across two fronts without a solid flank had punished us and I leapt to try to help Braz and Helikaon repel the encroaching attack, but a claw raked my side mid-leap and as my vision swam a hand like a club snapped my head to the side and I slid into the warm darkness.
I’m told it was less than a minute later that I was brought back to consciousness, but truly it could have been an hour and I would know no different. With a skull splitting thumping behind my eyes, I staggered with the others to bring the captured prisoners back to the light.
Calliope and Braz were arguing about the headstrong charge into danger. I could barely string words together, with blood trickling from injuries in my flanks and side. My vision ran red at the edge and as we emerged back by the falls, I tossed the silver horn to Calliope, who’s magic had saved my life.
As the strident note echoed up the valley, I was glad that allies would soon be close at hand.
Frankly we need the help.