The path in the back was clear. To get to the pools they had to work through the dense sent Drisk to scout for a safe passage and continued to look for fresh tracks and potential dangers.
After a short while the group stumbled onto another open court boasting a large rectangular pool in the middle. The water inside appeared in a greenish, brackish hue. Three 10-foot-square wooden platforms were floating on the surface, two in opposite corners and one in the middle. To the north a 15 feet high spectators stand allowed for a good view on the pool and the attractions therein. But right now, only slowly expanding bubbles on the surface and the occasional moving shadow below could be seen.
"Care for a swim?" Kala asked, grinning.
"No thanks. The path to the Jungle Zone should start behind the spectators stand. Keep moving," Gortak answered, quickening his step away from the pool.
Ka'la walked along the ridge of the pool, curiously peering into it. The water wasn't the freshest anymore, but the surface showed tiny waves of movement. Ka'la followed the direction and stopped at one open corner of the pool, intensely scrutinizing a point below the surface.
"Over dere, an opening of some kind of drain pipe. Something is blocking it. Looks like a body." Suddenly, a shadow in the water appeared close to Ka'la, quickly getting bigger. She took a step back.
"Heh, der is something still living in der as well. Seein' three shadows at least and one looks to be a big fella," Ka'la said.
"See, not worth it. Let's get to the Jungle Zone," Gortak said, coming closer with measured steps.
"Hmm, not sure. The drainage is close to the surface. Using some distraction to pull the monsties away should make it easy to check out the corpse," Ka'la said, thoughtful.
"I am not jumping into that cloaca of a pool. It takes ages to take off my armor," Tilani said.
"I'd do it, but I think my part should be the distraction. Gortak, any chance for ya to enter dat pool?" Ka'la asked.
Gortak grumbled, alternating to glance towards the drain pipe and the shadows.
"I can cast a shield on you to help you in case these things decide to take a bite out of you. Besides, you're already green, perfect camouflage in these waters," Tilani said.
Gortak began unfastening his leather armor. "Fine, I'll give a shot."
"You can swim, can't you?"
"Well enough!" Gortak grunted, his voice strained.
Down to his pants, chest bare and his axe strapped to his side, Gortak stood next to the pool above the drainage opening.
"Do your distraction thing then, Mage. And you, keep your shield spell ready." He looked at the pool's surface, his jaw clenched, the muscles in his back strained.
Ka'la strode along the pool, attention on the moving shadows. On the far side she started casting a spell, once again conjuring meat out of thin air, a couple of feet above the surface. With a splash the pieces fell into the water, disturbing the water considerably. Instantly, the shadows reacted to this change and shot towards the bait.
Gortak used the churning waters at the far end as a cue and jumped into the pool. His movements under water tended to be rather unwieldy. He tried to look around, but the murky water only allowed to see into a short distance. He decided to worry about the task at hand, turned around and floated towards the corpse. That close to the drain pipe he had to contend with some forces, but the grating allowed for a good anchoring point. He reached for the rags of the corpse.
Instantly a strong current pulled at him, pushing him away from the opening. Instinctively, he cried out. Realizing his surroundings quickly, only a few bubbles escaped his mouth. A big shadow sped towards him, luckily visible enough for him to push himself away from the pool walls to evade the attack.
Suddenly, a sheen of golden light engulfed his body. He looked up and saw a bright light above the surface. I hope this shield is good for something, Gortak though. He drew his axe and peered into the darkness around him. He couldn't stay underwater for much longer. But swimming up right now would make him too easy a target. So he waited, patiently, calming his racing heart.
The next attack came from below. Sharp teeth raked along his legs. He pushed with his strong arms, turning into a circle and used his momentum to swing at a long neck. His axe connected and bit a deep gash into the dinosaur. Blood mixed with the filthy water reducing the visibility even more. He checked his leg quickly and saw no bleeding wound. Air! He pushed hard with his legs and arms, trying to surface as quickly as possible. The danger was still present, but it was no use to drown while inspecting the corpse.
His head broke the surface. With a strong gasp, he took in fresh air.
"Are you alright, Gortak?" Tilani asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
Gortak only grunted, looked around, not seeing any shadows. One last breath and he dove down again, trying to reach the corpse as quickly as possible.
He pulled frantically at the rags, but the remains of the jacket didn't yield a card or anything else for that matter.
Suddenly, a bright light exploded close to his left side. He glanced over and saw the head of the Plesiosaurus flinch back in agony, not only to the flash, but also the explosion of the Holy Light that struck his head. Gortak continued searching the flayed pants of the park attendant, the improved lighting supporting his search. A grin appeared on his face as his palm touched a thin piece of metal. He immediately began swimming upwards again. The moment before he emerged, a huge body slammed into his back and pushed him along the pools wall. He struggled along the surface, gasping for air. He saw the elongated head of the sea monster coming towards him above the surface, the row of sharp teeth gleaming. He held the axe ready in his right hand, clenching around the card in his other, bracing himself for the attack.
Before the head could reach him, a big boulder slammed into it, shattering on impact. Small pieces of rock rained down onto the water and his head.
"Gortak, get out! Behind you! The edge is close!" Tilani shouted.
"Da others are coming! Get out!" Ka'la cried.
Gortak reacted instantly, focused on this one task. He gathered all his strength and lackluster skills in swimming and pushed himself towards the edge. He heaved himself onto the ledge, another blast of rock slamming into the water behind him. The wave of water aided in pushing him out of the pool, while lithe arms began pulling at him.
He lay on his belly, next to the pool, gasping for air, coughing water. His companions turned him on his back.
"Are you alright, Gortak?" Tilani asked. She glanced down his body, searching for injuries.
"Your shield helped," Gortak gasped, still coughing from time to time. "Thanks, to both of you. I got a card."
"Dat's awesome!" Ka'la said, raising her arms in celebration.
"Indeed, well done." Tilani touched his shoulder, reassuringly. "Ugh, wet Orc."
Drisk moved closer, nudging his master. His face distorted as his nuzzle came away wet. Gortak petted his tiger, ruffling his ears. He held up the card.
"Hmm, this looks a bit rusty. I hope it works," Tilani said.
"It better be. Otherwise I'll have to throw the person into the pool, who suggested this fun activity." Gortak peered at Ka'la.
"Ah, ya, it will work. Certainly," Ka'la said uneasily, looking closer at the card.
After a short rest the group continued onto the path to the north, which started next to the spectator ranks. They came up to another gate, similar to the main gate, but smaller.
"We should not open up all the gates in the park. There are already enough dinosaurs roaming around. I'm confident there is an opening in the fence along the Jungle Zone," Gortak said. He pointed into the dense vegetation and gave a guttural command to his tiger. Drisk immediately bounded into the underbrush. "Let's check out the other side. There are a multitude of tracks coming onto the path from there."
"Shouldn't we avoid where most of da dinos walk?" Ka'la asked, scrutinizing the ground, apparently not knowing what to look for.
"These are all smaller tracks. Don't worry. Try to be quiet and let me listen. We'll be fine then," Gortak said.
"I'll take the rear then, Ka'la between us. Lead on, Gortak," Tilani said.
They didn't have to work their way through too much jungle vegetation along the fence, to find a spot with a sizable hole for them to fit through. Gortak let out a short, high pitched whistle and as soon as they were through, Drisk joined them.
They moved back to the main path, but realized the Jungle Zone housed a maze of smaller paths, leading to various encampments. Many of the encampments were empty, only a few held more docile dinosaurs.
"Seems like the goblins tried to keep costs down or thought this would be enough to keep hungry beasts captive. But life always finds a way," Gortak said, shaking his head slowly.
"The orc is getting philosophical. Probably too much water," Tilani said.
"He's right though. Life, as well as magic, breaks free and will not be contained. Goblins aren't da best at realizing such things," Ka'la said.
"Fine, but strength is all that matters. If you were powerful enough to enforce your will."
"Quiet," Gortak whispered.
Drisks ears perked up, looking intently into the dark, just as they moved past one bigger encampment. A rumbling sound in the distance increased in intensity.
"Move!" Gortak lifted his left arm, pointing in the opposite direction into the jungle. Before they reached the edge a battered looking triceratops slid onto the path where they had been standing a moment ago. Ka'la halted, eyes wide looking at the big, bleeding creature.
Following, a second triceratops stormed onto the path, heavy puffing from his nostrils whirled up even more dust. The beast strained its muscles, wide feet pushing repeatedly into the ground.
"Ka'la, come on," Gortak whispered, pressure in his voice.
"We have to help da wounded one." Ka'la just stood there, mesmerized by the spectacle between these majestic creatures.
"No, we don't. That is their territorial dispute. You really don't want to come between them. And as soon that bigger one is finished he will be certain of his claim," Gortak said.
"Oh, I'm not going to stay here and dispute that claim! Ka'la, get moving!" Tilani shouted.
The winning triceratop's head snapped in their direction and snorted once again. Apparently sure of his winning preposition, it had the audacity to notice the group of puny opponents. It charged. The smaller, bleeding creature fought feebly for his life, usings its own horns against the attacker. They were easily pushed aside and with a swinging motion the attacker rammed one of it's bigger horns into the open side of it's victim. With a mighty thumb, the dying dinosaur went down, generating a plume of dust.
Tilani took three quick steps towards Ka'la and pulled at her robed arm. "Come on, you fool. Do you really want us having to kill that creature?"
Ka'la finally got moving, startled out of her amazement.
They hurried deeper into the jungle. Their speed was hampered by vines and leaves. Crashing and rumbling sounds from behind came steadily closer.
"Oh, great! It seems we made enough of an impression!" Tilani shouted, panting.
"Just keep moving, it should lose interest when we get far enough from his territory," Gortak said.
Ka'la glanced back. "It's coming closer. We're not fast enough!" She turned and shouted a short incantation. Green light appeared around her hands in a pattern resembling the branches of a tree. She looked the rushing Triceratops in the eye, willing her voice to remain steady. Suddenly, with a groan coming from the earth, vines and rocks sprouted upwards into a boulder nearly as big as the frenzied beast. The dinosaur couldn't stop it's momentum in time. A huge crashing sound rocked the surrounding trees making the last remaining smaller wildlife to seek cover somewhere else. The Triceratops swerved to the side, having a hard time staying on its feet, dazed as it was.
"Now is our chance! Keep moving! It won't be coming after us for a while," Gortak said. "Well done, Ka'la," he added, as they continued onwards.
"Had to fix my mistake," she answered, relief in her voice.
After only a few minutes they changed their pace to a more comfortable speed, not hearing any noises of pursuit from behind. Gortak changed their direction slightly from time to time and led them competently onto another visitors path. Just a few paces away a crossroad donning a signpost made it easy for them to regain their bearings.
"It's not far from the maintenance hut. And it seems not to be out in the open. We should approach it cautiously," Gortak said.
"Agreed. Who knows what this crazy gnome is doing in there," Tilani said.