A/N: And here we go, straight into the action!

Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. In only own my original ideas.

Chapter 57: Ghoulish Attackers

There was no time to prepare, the pack of eight ghouls were approaching fast.

The nearest of the ghouls went after Krisyra, and raked her with its claws. The next ghoul went after Narcrath, and it too struck with its claws. The third ghoul also went after Krisyra, and raked her with its claws as well. Narcrath struck back on the ghoul near him, blasting it with a shocking grasp. Another ghoul charged in, and continued to swarm Krisyra, but this one missed its attack. I looked into the room the ghouls were emerging from, and smirked: it was a fairly small chamber, and the ghouls were tightly packed. I could hit all four with my breath. I unleashed my flame, and all but one of the ghouls in the chamber fully took the blast, severely burned but still up. One of the ghouls I'd roasted raked me with its claws, and for a moment I felt my muscles go tense before I shook off the effect. The residual energy of my breath attack coalesced around the ghoul, taking it out. Krisyra slammed her staff to the ground, unleashing a wave of thunderous noise to weaken our foes. Charles moved over to assist Krisyra, taking out a ghoul with one swing of his greatsword, before taking out another ghoul with his second swing. One of the ghouls I'd roasted stumbled out and attemped to strike Narcrath, but missed. Lydratir took aim with his longbow, taking out one of the ghouls attacking Narcrath, before nocking another arrow and finishing off another ghoul. One of the remaining ghouls came after me, and raked me with its claws, and again I fought off the paralytic effect of their touch. The last ghoul ran out of their hiding place, and went after Narcrath, but his scaly hide deflected its claws.

Narcrath's claws arced with lightning again, and he finished off the ghoul nearest to him. The remaining ghoul near Krisyra attacked her again, striking once more. I tore into the ghoul near me with my claws twice, finishing it off. Krisyra focused magic into her staff, and bashed the ghoul with it, but it remained standing. Charles took one last swing, and finished off the last of the ghouls.

With the area clear, Krisyra patched up her wounds, and we moved on. A set of stairs led us up to a higher level of these tunnels. A larger room opened up before us. The path to the west was broken by a sizable gap, and we could see the glint of metal at the bottom of the opening. The floor beyond this area had a silvery sheen. In the distance, we could see another hole, beyond which was a patch of that adjoined the western wall. I carefully placed one paw on the floor of theroom, and discovered it was extremely slick. The ceiling was too low for me to safely fly across.

"I don't think we can safely walk on this floor," I said, "it seems to be completely frictionless".

Charles pulled out a copper coin, and flicked it across the floor. It slid away, not slowing down. The coin banked off a wall, contined to slide, and fell into one of the pits. As it fell, it clanked off some other piece of metal. Laydratir considered the room for a moment, and then pulled out a length of rope, tying off one end.

"Give me a moment, I want to try something," said Lydratir.

He closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. A moment later, he began to glow with radiant enegy as a pair of angelic wings appeared on his back. He took to the air, and flew across the room. I watched as he want, passing right through the opposite wall. A short time later, he returned.

"That wall you see over there is fake, it's an illusion. Those pits are full of sharp, rusty blades," said Lydratir, "keep a firm grip on the rope. As for you, big guy…"

"I'll do my best to not fall in the pits," I said.

I watched as my companions carefully made their way across the room. Once they were safe, I slowly stepped out onto the slick floor. I slid towards the first pit, leaping over it. I landed on the far side, and managed to keep my feet under me. The second pit loomed, faster this time. I leapt again, and even though I stumbled slightly made it safely across. I slid to a stop near the actual far wall, and rejoined my allies.

"Well, that was an interesting encounter," said Narcrath, "what's next?"

The exit to this chamber led up to a T-junction. We decided to check the northern path first. The next chamber contained a rather unusual sight. A stream flowed throught this chamber, but not across the floor. Instead, it entered the chamber through the western wall, two feet off the ground and suspended in mid-air. It flowed out of another hole near the northeastern corner. The water was about three feet deep. I could see a few blind cave fish being carried along in the brisk current. On either side of the door were a total of six kayaks, each one capable of carrying two riders, but there are no paddles to be found.

"I guess we go for a ride?" asked Charles.

I looked at the set up, and realized that they likely could go boating down the floating river, but something in the back of my mind told me someing was off.

"I'll go though first," I said, "you four take the boats. Something doesn't feel right about this… it all seems a litte too convenient".

"Sounds like plan," said Krisyra, "We'll be right behind you".

I watched as my companions placed the kayaks into the stream, readied myself, and leapt in. The water was lukewarm, and swiftly carried me down the tunnel. The stream twisted and turned, but eventually I saw light ahead and emerged into the next room… right into the net held by a team of knights. I was quickly tangled in the net, and dragged to the ground as the kights were sent sprawling. I tore myself loose of the net with tooth and claw, and took stock of the situation as my companions emerged from the tunnel as leapt from the boats. There were eight knights, and one commander, and I severely doubted they were friendly.

A/N: And there we go! Next time, our heroes will have no choice but to confront these knights. See you then!