Chapter 6

Faelar halted in front of them, motioning for the others to remain quiet, "Half-orc bloke, twenty-five feet south... eh... might be north in dese caves. Whoteva." He pointed ahead.

Saeola snapped back to reality and glanced up, blinking through her Darkvision to see. She tilted her head a bit. "I can get them with an arrow if needed," She offered.

"Wouldn't recommended it. There's more guards about fifty feet behind him." Serosa'ruth observed, his eyes glowing redder than anyone else's. "And it looks like they're humans... With torches for light. We can't stay in the shadows."

Saeola frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Then we'll have to be exposed and fend them all off. There's gotta be a way around them."

"Just keep walkin'... quietly." Faelar stepped out of their cover and continued onward. When the others gave him skeptical looks, he sighed and muttered, "Ya gonna 'ave to trust me, mates."

Saeola tried not to laugh. "Trust you?" She hissed. "Give me one reason why we should?"

"Because I just cast an invisibility sphere around you all, as well as a few protective enchantments to 'elp ward off wounds from weapons. Don't believe me, try to look at each other." With that, the wild half-elf thief melded with the shadows.

Saeola blinked and did so, only to find she couldn't see the other two elves. She glanced down at her own hands and found she could only barely see them. When did he...? Damn. She cautiously followed after the other wild half-elf.

Serosa'ruth shrugged, well accustomed to invisibility spells. He crept after the half-elves, followed closely by Ky'itae. Switching to the light spectrum, he took note that the human guards at the other end were permanently dispatched... throwing daggers, by the looks of it. As the half-orc turned to investigate, the druid quickly grabbed the Malar-worshipper's head and twisted it around, instantly snapping the creature's neck. He caught the slumped body and gently placed it on the ground, creeping onwards.

Saeola, meanwhile, crept up directly behind the other wild half-elf. "Do you know where we're going?" She whispered.

"No idea, dove. I was in da cell fer days, rememba? But seeing as da only other two exits in dis room are false entries dat lead into deadly traps, I would consider dis da only path to take." The rogue smirked, his brown eyes scanning the area ahead.

"Right. So if we get lost, ambushed or killed, I know who to blame," She muttered flatly.

"Exactly, dove." She felt a teasing pinch on her cheek, but the thief cloaked himself in the shadows before she could respond. Her eye twitched in annoyance and she rubbed her cheek (which felt a bit odd because she wasn't sure where her cheek was) before continuing after him.

"This all natural to you, Mr. Subterranean?" Ky'itae whispered to where she believed Serosa'ruth was. Her druid friend chuckled.

"I can't even count how high the number of times I've turned myself or had myself turned invisible." The elf male smiled, though no one could see it, "And, skillful as Saeola is, I can easily hear her... and you, as well. Though, I must admit, I can't hear our new friend at all. Quite impressive for someone his age. I wouldn't estimate his age any more than maybe nineteen. Possibly even eighteen."

"Neither would I, but I'm not sure how half-elves age." Ky'itae admitted, keeping her hand against the cavern wall. "Saeola doesn't seem too much older than Faelar, in any case."

Saeola placed one hand on the cavern wall as well, finding this whole experience odd. It felt like she wasn't here at all, yet she could feel the cold of the wall and the ground on her feet. If I was better at magic…and a mage… I'd definitely learn this spell.

Serosa'ruth caught up to the younger adventurers, "Judging from what I've learned of Malar shrines," he whispered, "we should come across a large cavern soon that has five or six exits directly in front of us. One leads to the 'sacred chambers,' the others are death traps."

Saeola glanced over her shoulder in the direction of his voice out of habit, realizing too late that it had been a pointless gesture. "That sounds promising. Is there a way to tell which is which or do we have to flip a coin?"

"The answer's in the warning. Think about it: One leads to the chambers. The others lead to certain death."

"Ferst one on da left." Faelar stopped, peeking around the bend to see five stone doors on the other end of a large cavern. "Dere's a large owlbear in da middle... an'... Another Malar worshipper. Half-orc. Eh... mage by da looks of 'im. Not good. He can probably detect magical cloaking."

"So he'll expose us if we get to close," Saeola muttered more to herself than to her companions. "We should still be able to get by quickly, though, right?"

"Not a chance. Best chance to beat a mage is to surprise them and get the upper hand. And if he can detect us when we get close enough... well, we just lose our invisibility before we get that close and charge." The elven male grinned, even though he knew no one could see it.

"Sounds good to me. I'll wait until you blokes drop your spells, den I'll jump out from my cova." Three small daggers, barely thicker than needles, appeared in between the rogue's fingers.

Saeola shrugged, trusting their experience. "Okie-dokie." She took her bow in hand and notched an arrow, deciding that she could attack with her arrows as soon as their cover was dropped and just as the other two elves charged.

Serosa'ruth and Ky'itae lunged forward, each withdrawing their weapons. The hostile action instantly removed their invisibility spells, suddenly brining them into full view. Surprised, the mage managed to sputter, "Attack!" to his owlbear before fumbling through his sleeves to retrieve components for a spell. His bird-headed bear held up the two elves, blocking their blows quiet effectively.

Saeola quickly followed after them, re-aiming her arrow at the mage instead. However, she had aimed for his sleeve. He reached for a component and she successfully managed to land the arrow through his sleeve and anything inside, tearing the sleeve off.

Her invisibility too disapperated at the flying of her arrow, leaving her exposed to the wizard. The half-orc quickly changed the aim of his spell and shot a bolt of electricity at the young ranger. The half-elven woman cringed as a quick jolt of electricity stung her body for a moment, but otherwise was unharmed. Faelar leapt down, landing in front of the hybrid wizard.

"Now, it's rude to 'it a lady." The rogue grinned. "Someone should teach you some manners. The half-orc snorted.

"Oh? And how do you intend to do that?" he snarled.

"Doink." The wild half-elf male poked the mage, his fingertip glowing red upon impact. The half-orc's body gave a shudder as he let out a wheezy shriek and fell to the ground, dead. Ky'itae stabbed through the owlbear's throat while Serosa'ruth gaped at the rogue in disbelief.

"That's the strangest casting of 'Finger of Death' I've ever seen." he gawked. Faelar smiled widely, giving the cloaked elf a thumbs-up.

"I call dat particular casting technique, 'Poke of Doom.'"

Saeola blinked, a rather humorous blank expression on her face. She looked between the three as she lowered her bow and the other arrow on it she had been ready to fire. "...'Doink'?"

"Yup. 'Doink.'" The rogue confirmed with another grin, "I personally find it quite appropriate."

Saeola rolled her eyes, but said nothing.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side." Ky'itae grinned, elbowing the rogue teasingly, "That's a humiliating way to die."

"Oh, I doubt you will get on me bad side. Least you 'ave a sense of 'umor." Faelar grinned. "Isn't dat righ', dove?"

Saeola rolled her eyes again, bow and arrow now placed away and arms crossed over her chest. "Shut up. And stop calling me that!"

"Whoteva you say, dove." Faelar sauntered over to the first door on the left, pushing it open with his foot. "All clear. Let's go, eh?"

Saeola growled at the nickname and followed without another word.

"It's not so bad... I could think of much worse nicknames." Serosa'ruth pointed out with a smile as he walked past Faelar and inspected the area.

Ky'itae elbowed him, "I wouldn't suggest it. She looks ready to maim something."

Saeola merely gave a miscellaneous rock a rather evil glare, deciding that it would be best to direct it at such an object it instead of her traveling partners.

Torches lined the passage walls, and in the distance, haunting chants sent echoes throughout the cave.

"We're gettin' close to something. Ceremony, maybe?" Faelar surmised.

Saeola instantly went back on guard when she heard his comment. She turned toward the light, the flames flickering in the depths of her eyes. She listened to the soft, monotone of the chanting voices bouncing of the cavern walls. "Must be," She replied, her voice suddenly low.

A large grumbling sound made the crew jump in startlement. Faelar rubbed his neck, grinning sheepishly.

"Sorry mates. Da first thin' I'm gonna do when I get outta 'ere is eat somethin'..." He rubbed his empty stomach briefly, then turned his attention back to the path ahead.

Saeola rolled her eyes, but bit her tongue. Yes, let's ignore the fact that we're risking our lives here and think about food. But she decided that no matter how damn annoying Faelar was, she still had to help him. "I have some food in my bag, I think," She whispered to him, glancing over her shoulder as if to confirm it was still there. "I'd be a shame to have you starve before I get the chance to kick you down a cliffside, so why don't you take some?" She said this with a tone of dry humor.

Faelar waved his hand in dismissal, his head turned to look down the passage, "Nah. As dey say, it ain't good to eat an' run; if I ate before fighting, I'd give my stomach cramps. 'Sides, I grew up going days wit li'l or no food at times, so I'm used to it." He simply explained, giving no emotions to hint at why that was so, nor did he say it in search of pity. The rogue figured the brief explanation would deter any insisting of eating, and continued to creep along the rocky wall.

Saeola blinked at his back, a thousand reasons as to why this would be so for him popping into her head. But she brushed them aside with an annoyed scowl and shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Serosa'ruth crept along the wall across from Faelar, easily matching the thief's hiding skills. The path began to widen, and the druid began scanning the ceiling, finally spotting what he searched for. "There. An overhead path. Meant for visiting priests and the like to watch ceremonies overhead. Let's head up; there'll be fewer Malarites and they'll be easy to sneak up on. If we continue on this trail we're currently on, we'll go right into the main ceremonial room, which would blow our cover very quickly. Faelar, do you know any wind, flying, or levitating spells?"

"One or too, aye." The rogue confirmed.

"Good, then you can help Saeola." Serosa'ruth began to levitate off the ground, grabbing Ky'itae's hand to pull her up with him. When they reached the opening, he pulled themselves up into it, climbing onto the ground above. He peered down at the half-elves, "Well, come on."

Saeola's eyes followed the other two elves up, watching curiously before her eyes turned back to Faelar expectantly. She had a funny feeling Serosa'ruth could have levitated them ALL up... He seemed strong enough, anyway.

Faelar grinned, holding one arm up in the air, ready to cast his spell, the other extended towards the ranger, "Well, c'mon. I con't bring you up if you just stand dere, dove."

"Obviously not." Saeola took his offered hand and shuffled close to him, but kept her distance at the same time.

Faelar sighed it what would have seemed like mild annoyance if he hadn't been smiling widely. With a quick tug, he pulled her close to him, against his side. The thief let go of her hand and instead held her in place with one arm around her shoulders, his hand grasping gently, but firmly on her bicep. He whispered a command word, and a strong burst of wind suddenly sent the two half-elves rocketing upwards. Faelar leaned once they passed the hole, sending them forward a few feet. He landed gently on the ground, and due to his firm grip on Saeola, the ranger landed safely as well.

"Now, was dat so bad, dove?" He lightly pinched the bicep his hand had held a moment before, "Hm, sturdy, corded muscles in da uppa arms. Da sign of a great archer. Not bad, dove. Ya could rival my own upper body strength."

Saeola blushed lightly despite herself at the sudden close contact. When her feet touched the solid ground of the platform she tried to shuffle away, only to get pinched. She slapped his hand away and moved out of his reach. "I can demonstrate my arching ability on YOU, if you'd like," She growled angrily, rubbing the spot on her arm he had pinched.

Faelar shrugged, holding his hands up innocently, "Calm down dove, I was complimenting you on yer physical discipline. Never thought I'd live ta see da day a woman would get pissed at bein' told she's in shape. Yer a strange one, dove. Would ya rather I declare dat yer fat? I'm not one 't lie about such thins', but, ya know... iffun dat's whot ya prefer, dove..."

It took Seaola a great deal of self-restraint not to shove the other half-elf off the platform. "That's not what I... I meant.. ARGH! Nevermind! Can we just finish this now!"

"Enough flirting, you two." Serosa'ruth walked in between them, clapping a hand on each of their shoulders. "Let's keep the noise down and keep moving."

"Right-o, boss. I'll save me comments afta we've plowed through da Malarites." Faelar promised with a sly grin.

"And I'll make sure I have plenty of arrows left," Seaola snarled in reply, keeping her voice low this time.

"You mean so he can used them as taunting practice?" Ky'itae whispered to the ranger with a grin. Serosa'ruth shot the moon elf a warning glare, and the fighter closed her mouth, though a small smile remained on her lips.

At this point she felt she should shoot them ALL with arrows. But that wasn't a serious consideration, of course. Just a vent of frustration as she shot Ky'itae a deadly look before following Serosa'ruth onward.