Hall of Infinite Doors
Alarmed, you help your master to a nearby chair and flutter anxiously around him, fetching him a drink of water and then setting some mushroom tea to boil. You don't quite know what to make of what he's said - you've NEVER seen him so worked up about anything, even that time the spiderlings invaded and nearly made it to your side of the Great Bridge. And where did all this sudden resentment of living underground come from? You've always been aware of the fact that the humans didn't hail from the Underkingdom originally--there was that whole war with your own people when they arrived, after all--but when all is said and done it's the best place in the world to live, isn't it? And they've certainly got it good here now, with all the choice tunnels and everything from the mushroom farms of the Muddy Flat to the exotic caverns of the Crystal Gash under their control!
All this talk of harnessing the power of the stars sounds interesting enough, but it doesn't seem to have done much good for your poor master, who is clearly still in pain and can only barely gasp out his thanks when you press a cup of hot tea into his hand.
He sips it silently for a long time while you busy yourself about the room, straightening the scattered books and sneaking glances at him to make sure he's all right. Finally, he sets the cup down and gives you a weak smile. "It appears I might have...gotten a little overexcited there."
You nod in agreement.
"But your mission is no less urgent...and I'll be fine, I'm feeling better already," he adds, seeing you're about to protest. "The scroll I gave you must be gotten into the hands of the king, through any means necessary." Beonard sighs. "I suppose I was wrong to try and rush you out of here, though. The castle is a good two sleeps travel from here, and you'll need provisions and perhaps a bit of money."
Relieved to hear your master sounding a bit more like himself, you carefully pack some food and a few other necessities--and mindful of his weakened state, take time to lay out extra kindling and a few meals for him as well, despite his protests.
Then, you are out the door, pulling your trusty boots back on and making your way toward the capital. By habit you avoid the wide human-made thoroughfare, where your green skin and prominent teeth are not always met with the most welcoming looks, though you make nearly as good time expertly navigating the familiar maze of side tunnels, which in this section of the cave you could probably traverse blindfolded.
However, this time, something unexpected happens.
You are just about to enter a wide tunnel which has a name in your native language that translates to something like, "The Throat With Many Teeth", so called because of the thousands of glittering stalactites that hang from its curved roof, when there is a low booming noise from somewhere in the distance. As if in response, the solid stone beneath your feet begins to rumble and shake!
Terrified, you try and decide what to do!
All this talk of harnessing the power of the stars sounds interesting enough, but it doesn't seem to have done much good for your poor master, who is clearly still in pain and can only barely gasp out his thanks when you press a cup of hot tea into his hand.
He sips it silently for a long time while you busy yourself about the room, straightening the scattered books and sneaking glances at him to make sure he's all right. Finally, he sets the cup down and gives you a weak smile. "It appears I might have...gotten a little overexcited there."
You nod in agreement.
"But your mission is no less urgent...and I'll be fine, I'm feeling better already," he adds, seeing you're about to protest. "The scroll I gave you must be gotten into the hands of the king, through any means necessary." Beonard sighs. "I suppose I was wrong to try and rush you out of here, though. The castle is a good two sleeps travel from here, and you'll need provisions and perhaps a bit of money."
Relieved to hear your master sounding a bit more like himself, you carefully pack some food and a few other necessities--and mindful of his weakened state, take time to lay out extra kindling and a few meals for him as well, despite his protests.
Then, you are out the door, pulling your trusty boots back on and making your way toward the capital. By habit you avoid the wide human-made thoroughfare, where your green skin and prominent teeth are not always met with the most welcoming looks, though you make nearly as good time expertly navigating the familiar maze of side tunnels, which in this section of the cave you could probably traverse blindfolded.
However, this time, something unexpected happens.
You are just about to enter a wide tunnel which has a name in your native language that translates to something like, "The Throat With Many Teeth", so called because of the thousands of glittering stalactites that hang from its curved roof, when there is a low booming noise from somewhere in the distance. As if in response, the solid stone beneath your feet begins to rumble and shake!
Terrified, you try and decide what to do!