The group stepped around the "puddle" as they left the cell. The hallway had two paths with multiple heavy wooden doors along each path. He tapped his foot as he contemplated what to do.
"I suggest we split up." (Darren)
"Groups of three?" (Gernam)
Darren nodded.
"My group will be me, Urvos, and Lycan." (Darren)
Urvos shifted uncomfortably.
"What? Not comfortable in my group?" (Darren)
Urvos shook his head.
"It's not that. I just feel like I'd be holding you two back without a weapon. I don't want you having to babysit me if things get ugly." (Urvos)
"Oh how inconsiderate of us. Lycan wanna help him out?" (Darren)
Lycan nodded her great lupine head. The great wolf then lifted her head and howled. Mana slowly gathered in front of her. Shaping itself into an a long bow made of ice. Darren visibly winced at the sight of it prompting a confused look from the rest of group.
"What not up to your standards? I didn't take you for an expert on bows." (Lycan)
Urvos grabbed the frozen bow. Surprisingly it wasn't cold on the grip or the "string." Examining it he could find no faults. In fact he could easily call this the most masterfully crafted bow he had ever held. Urvos couldn't help but wonder what flaw Darren saw in this masterpiece.
"Ai, I cannot find a flaw in it either. I know your wife's a deity, but please curb your expectations." (Urvos)
"Ahh its not that I'm disappointed in her craftsmanship or skill. The bow is just very.... primitive from my view point." (Darren)
"Primitive?" (Urvos)
"In my world we have whats called a composite bow. While this longbow is very well made. It doesn't pack the power of a composite bow. In fact I'd say the piercing power is about 4 times less than that of a composite bow." (Darren)
"Can you make one of these?" (Urvos)
"I can try. Personally I've never done it. However, I know the mechanics behind it. I can create a blueprint for it if you feel up to the task." (Darren)
"I'd appreciate that greatly. Thank you." (Urvos)
Darren gave a genuine smile at the praise. His expression soon turned serious again.
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"Anyway, Gernam you, Lilium, and Habbron will obviously be the other group. Check every cell, and if you find any guards interrogate them. They don't have what you want kill them and move on to the next. Every moment we delay is another moment Nigel could be being interrogated, and I realize how hypocritical that is considering i just made a scene over how primitive I thought a bow was." (Darren)
The latter part brought an annoyed glare from all present save Gernam who just laughed. Darrens group took the left path while Gernam and his group took the right.
The first few cells were empty save for rats, roaches, and a miniature cockatrices which ate the other pest. After the first ten cells the groups could no longer see each other. As they walked down the hallway inspecting each cell Darren decided to ask Lycan about how she made weapon out of ice.
"So how did you make that bow anyway?" (Darren)
"It's fairly easy. You form the magic into that shape and set it's properties accordingly. Like how that bow doesn't feel cold to Urvos. The arrows that form when he pulls the string wouldn't effect him either. Imagine forming a fireball or a darkmatter marble but instead of a ball imagine the weapon." (Lycan)
"Ahh so if you get to far, or if you will it, would it simply dissipate?" (Darren)
Lycan nodded.
The corridor started to drastically widen. Then it made a sharp turn. As they approached the turn Darren held up a hand and the three stopped.
"Lycan, go check around the corner." (Darren)
She nodded and casually walked ahead. Once she was able to see around the corner she turned to Darren.
"We may have a problem." (Lycan)
"And what would that be?" (Darren)
"Well I don't know about you but one hundred and twenty dwarves seems like an issue." (Lycan)
Darren nodded in agreement. While he could make another dark matter marble, it would require concentraition. He didn't have the skills to keep it materialized for longer than a minute or so. He also couldn't make the gravitational pull bigger than ten feet without losing control. Suddenly an idea formed.