After some time spent traveling amidst the waxing and waning of idle conversations, they found themselves in a long lull. Lydie took this as an opportunity to groan and complain.

“Where’s this cart, then?” she asked.

Her query brought only silence. The group continued to walk on as her voice echoed through the valley. Her aggravated sigh carried over the crunch of boots against snow, and the corner of Anna’s nose twitched upwards as her patience was worn thin.

“Well? You all said it wasn’t that far, so where the fook is it?”

“Not that much further,” Anna's frustration matched Lydie's. “We had to walk through a blizzard coming in, so distance isn’t easily measured, nor time. Fortunately, this area looks familiar.”

“Does that mean we’re almost there, or no?”

“Do the words ‘not much further’ mean something different to you?”

“Means you’re trying to get me to shut up, is what it usually means. I’m bloody stupid and even I know that one.”

“That is the implied meaning, yes, but we’re truly not much further.” Anna perked up as a voice rang out in the distance. At first a simple echo, it grew in volume until it turned into shouting.

“Do you all hear that?” Jessa asked from behind the others, unaware they were all already staring in the direction of the noise. Halos of light circled around both of Anna’s forearms as her mace and shield materialized. Lydie already had her dagger in hand, but her rogue companion had disappeared. Deventh proceeded without drawing his weapon, his acute eyes instead scanning every inch within the limits of their sight.

Moments later, Tatsidi returned, kicking up snow and dirt as he ran to rejoin the others. After catching his breath, he reported his findings.

“There is a Fenvar standing in front of a cave. He is mostly bald, with a ponytail. He is crying for help.”

“Bald, with a ponytail?” Deventh hummed. The corner of his lips turned up in a smirk.

“Do you know him?” asked Jessa.

“Possibly.”

Anna was more relaxed after receiving the news, but she didn’t return her weapon and shield. Prompted by Deventh’s recognition of the individual, Tatsidi added to his description.

“He is blond, perhaps four-and-a-half feet tall, and he is wearing a silly little vest.”

“That’s Thadagar. The Fenvar I gambled with,” Deventh confirmed. “I wonder what trouble he’s gotten himself into.”

“We should go and find out,” said Anna.

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?” Their steady walk forward slowed to a halt.

“Not without more details.” Deventh turned to Tatsidi. “Was he hurt? Was there anyone with him?”

“No, he did not appear injured. Only worried. I saw no one else with him.” Suspicion whipped and curled in Tatsidi’s tail.

“We should make sure no one’s hurt,” Anna reiterated. “We can worry about details later.”

“And if he’s trying to pull another scam, or worse?” asked Deventh.

“Like you say, we’ll take it one step at a time. I’d rather be wrong than find out later we could have saved a life.”

“Yet you care not to preserve your own.” Deventh shook his head. “Still a mountain guard through and through.” He relented to her reasoning and turned around to lead the group onward.

“Until my dying breath,” Anna said with a proud smile on her lips. She could hear the faintest lilt of admiration in Deventh’s words. They continued toward the shouting, and it did not take long for them to find the distressed wood elf. Just off the side of the road, recessed into a small clearing, a steep cliff protruded from the foot of the mountain. Carved into its face was a cave entrance, and at its threshold stood Thadagar. His shouting ceased as they drew near.

“What’s going on here?” asked Anna, eyeing the short elf. A look of worry scrunched his face, but he showed no signs of physical harm. Deventh’s eyes scanned through the trees, whose needled boughs revealed no further company. He set his sight on the cave's entrance, beyond which loomed a thick darkness. Thadagar moved in to meet them, wringing his hands together with unease.

“Damn my luck for running into you of all people, but I’ll take what I can get,” he said, regarding Deventh with disbelief. “Lenkirn’s taint, I thought you were tall. Didn’t realize your lady was an actual giant.” Compelled by her sense of urgency, Anna ignored his remark and began questioning him before he could continue.

“What was all that shouting? Is someone hurt?”

“My friend is in there,” said Thadagar, pointing to the opening. “Trapped by a cave-in. I tried to help him out, but his leg is pinned under a boulder, the poor bastard!” He stomped his foot. Wet slush and saturated earth splashed beneath it, dampening the sound.

“Why were you out here to begin with?” Deventh asked, training his gaze on the Fenvar. “What with the current inquest.”

“I got talked into helping. Rauleth said to come and check out the caves here. Something about rumors of people being seen dragged into them, and shouts and whatnot coming from within. Told him it was a crock of shite, now look!”

“Interesting,” Deventh hummed. “Mustn’t be too ‘shite’ of a sum he’s offering after all.”

“Oi.” Thadagar rolled his eyes. “I’ll explain everything later. My buddy’s in there about to lose his fuckin’ leg. Are you gonna help me?” Uncertainty passed between the gazes of the two guild leaders, but before they had a chance to speak, a voice called out from the depths. Although its words were indistinct, its cry was one of spine-chilling desperation.

“Was that your friend?” Anna asked without removing her eyes from the entrance.

“Yes, and if you aren’t going to help, kindly fuck off. Rather not be around the likes of someone who steals my money and leaves people to die.” Thadagar turned around and entered the cave. His short, hurried strides sharpened his brusque words. The first to follow him was Anna.

The others followed, and Thadagar picked up a torch that he’d wedged between two rocks. With a strike of flint and steel the torch was lit, casting long shadows into the depths of the earth. Footsteps echoed as the six made their way deeper. Water dripped from stalactites into stagnant pools, and after a few twists and turns followed by a short descent, the only remaining light was that of the torch.

“How much further?” Lydie asked, trailing behind the others. “It’s darker than a Dronvar’s arse in here.” She kicked a pebble out of her path and listened as it tumbled down the slight decline in the floor, landing with a splash.

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“Not much,” Thadagar said. In front of him appeared a split in the tunnel, and he led them down the path to their left. “He’s down here. Tunnel opens up to a cavern. He’ll be on the far end.”

After a few hundred feet, the walls began to widen. Frigid moisture hung thick in the air as shadows grew longer and deeper. A vast cavern came into view, illuminated by a ray of sunlight streaming through a crack in the ceiling. Deventh looked at Tatsidi, exchanging a wordless message with him before stepping inside with the others.

“Allow me to watch the exit,” said Tatsidi, reaching out for Thadagar’s torch. “You must show them where your friend is.”

“Nay, I’ve got it,” the Fenvar insisted. “You go on, I won’t be able to help them move the rocks.”

“I insist.” Tatsidi gave him a twisted grin, baring as many of his sharp teeth as possible. He grabbed hold of the torch and yanked it out of the elf’s hand. “I am most skilled at guarding for trouble.”

Thadagar threw his hands up and took a step back into the room.

“Fine, suit yourself.”

The group spread out into the open space while Tatsidi stood to watch the passage back. From the other end of the expanse sounded the same cry as before.

“Are you there?” shouted Anna, stepping forward with a slow, cautious gait. “We’re here to help!”

No one answered. Anna eyed their Fenvar compatriot with concern and uncertainty.

“He’s been in and out of consciousness,” Thadagar said. “Let’s be quick.”

The others looked between themselves and exchanged silent misdoubt. The scratching trudge of boots was the only sound that accompanied their walk. As they moved further in, the cold, damp air grew thicker and mustier. They soon happened upon a pile of rubble against a wall where a tunnel entrance had collapsed. Only the remains of an old, dried skeleton lay where the victim was supposed to be.

“What is—” A sudden crashing of rocks and debris interrupted Anna’s question. The pile of rubble smashed into pieces and burst across the cavern. Anna summoned her shield to protect Jessa and herself. Shards drummed on the metal like hail upon a roof. Deventh and Lydie both received a few small fragments to the back of their leather armor as they bolted out of range for cover. Thadagar ran back the way they came, and Tatsidi widened his stance to block him from escaping.

A thundering, guttural roar shook the room. Where the eruption cleared the entrance to a tunnel, a massive troll stood with its mouth agape, strands of drool spilling out. It let out another ear-splitting roar, and without warning, it charged.

Caught in its path, Jessa gasped and tried to leap to safety, but a rock snagged her clothes and dragged her to the ground. Wet, jagged stone and coarse dirt scraped and skinned her palms, tearing the fabric at the knee of her robes. She winced in pain, hunched over the floor. As she tried to catch her breath, a sudden sensation sent tingles down her neck—damp, heavy puffs of hot air. With a shaken gasp, she turned her head to look over her shoulder.

The creature had stopped its charge. Soulless, black eyes stared down at Jessa. Tusks lined the inside of its gaping maw, each one thicker than her thumb. White fur framed its face and covered its body, matted with grime and saliva which flew onto Jessa’s face when it let loose a bloody roar.

The troll lifted its arm to strike, but a golden-headed mace smashed into its ribs with a series of crackling pops. The creature let out a sharp, pained grunt and tumbled to its side. Despite its injury, it leveraged itself on its elbow in a struggle to stand upright again.

“Run, all of you! I’ll hold him off!” Anna shouted, bringing her weapon back up above her head to swing once more, but her maneuver was too slow. The troll had already rolled back to dodge the blow. Her mace slammed into the stony floor, causing her teeth to clack. The soft leather handle cushioned the impact, but a mighty sting swelled through her hand.

Jessa rolled away as the monster made one last vicious swipe at her legs, its blunt nails missing her thigh by inches. Anna grabbed her by the arm and pulled her upright, placing herself and her shield between the girl and the troll.

Having expected to make quick work of apprehending Thadagar, Tatsidi struggled to fend him off. The Apo’na used only muscle and claw, intending to keep him alive for answers. Despite the Fenvar’s size, however, he knew how to use it to his advantage – and he fought dirty. Tatsidi narrowly dodged a blow to the groin, after which Thadagar drew a dagger. The Apo’na gripped the elf’s wrist, claws digging deeper until his hold on the weapon loosened. He grappled the elf, using his tail to slide the dagger out of reach. Thadagar squirmed and flailed, not yet giving up his struggle.

Out of desire to be helpful, Jessa attempted a summon. Recalling the previous incident, however, she kept in mind to be careful. She closed her eyes and fixated on images of an ethereal fox – pearlescent white fur, blue eyes, accents of silver on its paws, tail, and muzzle – all appearing in flashes.

Yet still she fumbled. Again came the smoky, sparking haze, and the imp appeared – somewhat larger than before, with its stubby horns having lengthened to form points. It was faster, too, as it sprung into action without prompt, swatting and scratching at the troll.

As Jessa tried to unsummon the Lus’rak to no avail, a shadowy figure plunged into the scene. A tail swirled and twitched behind the first as he pounced on the creature’s head, raising a blade in his hand. The other wrapped both arms around the troll’s neck, a scraggly tangle of red hair flying out in every direction.

“Damn you all, I said RUN!” Anna bellowed. Her voice jolted with the impact of the troll’s swipe against her shield. Lydie’s dagger pierced through the creature’s skin, to no other effect than irritating it further. Blood splattered onto its fur, but the small punctures proved no more significant than scratches. Anna swung her mace between swipes and shouts, her breath fast and heavy, forehead dripping with sweat.

“He’s still on me!” Spit flew as her voice croaked. “Get out while you can!”

Her warnings were futile; the troll reached the end of its patience. It leaned forward and twisted its body like a dog shaking water from its fur, flinging her onto the ground. She landed on her back a couple of yards away, stunned by the impact. The creature let out another monstrous roar and turned away to close in on her, somewhat slowed by the injury to its ribs. Anna hurried to keep up with it, but her shield was beginning to weigh on her.

“Lydie!” Tatsidi cried out. Taking his distraction as an opportunity, Thadagar butted his head into Tatsidi’s nose, causing him to loosen his hold, then swept his leg out from behind. Tatsidi crashed to the ground while Thadagar retreated back through the tunnel from which they came.

“Supposed to land on your feet, arsehole,” his voice echoed as Tatsidi picked himself up. The Apo’na rushed after him on all fours, his keen vision in the dark keeping him fixed on his target. The elf kicked back rocks behind him, sending them tumbling to slow down his pursuer. Tatsidi stumbled but caught his footing.

As the light appeared at the cave’s exit, Thadagar raised his arm, clutching something in his palm. He slowly disappeared in spots and blotches of invisibility until he vanished completely. Tatsidi kept running and passed through the cave’s exit, swiveling his head for signs of the wood elf. When he found none, he stopped, hands on knees, to catch his breath – and to prepare to face the others with news of his failure.

Anna’s shield clattered as it absorbed the strike aimed at Lydie. The Helbrund kept her focus on holding back the troll, following Deventh in her periphery as he emerged from behind the rock where he’d taken cover. The troll took one last slow and heavy swing at Anna, and Deventh rushed to the vulnerable front of its body and thrust the blade into its lower abdomen.

The monster froze in its tracks. Paralysis trickled in, stiffening its legs first before rippling up its torso. The creature toppled forward under the weight of its own arms and chest like a top-heavy statue, and Deventh swept in to drag the unconscious Lydie to safety. Anna grabbed Jessa’s arm and backed away with her shield raised. The troll crashed down onto the floor, an overpowering thunder echoing against the vast walls of the cavern.

When the echoes stopped, the silence was far more deafening. Jessa held her eyes squeezed shut. Anna sighed, breathless, and gazed down first at the troll, then at the two rogues, and finally at Deventh. He was knelt beside Lydie, ensuring above all that she was alive. Tatsidi returned, ears low and tail dragging on the ground.

“The small elf got away,” the Apo’na said, his voice strained and somber. “For this failure, I am sorry.”

“It is no matter,” said Anna, “So long as we’re all alive.”

“I saw Lydie strike her head against the ground.”

“She’s breathing,” assured Deventh. “Seems that she braced as well as she could for the impact.” Tatsidi stared down at her, unconvinced by his conclusion.

“Perhaps she breathes for now, but what if—”

“What if what, ya bastard,” a weak voice coughed as a gentle grip tugged on Tatsidi’s tail. “Ugh. My head kills.”

Anna stepped forth to examine the fallen troll. Jessa stood back, taking in the scene, and a lump of uncertainty grew in her throat. She said nothing, churning another lesson in her mind of cruelty and trickery.

“Let’s get out before this thing recovers,” Deventh said, devoid of emotion. “I had to make the poison in a pinch, so it won’t last long.” He and Tatsidi hurried to stand Lydie upright and handed her off to Anna, who unsummoned her shield and hoisted the woman over her shoulder.

“Yes, let’s go now,” the Helbrund concurred, her breath still heavy with exhaustion. After wiping the sweat from her brow, eyeing Jessa’s Lus’rakian companion with disgust, she took the lead toward the exit. “And next time, when I say run, you should all fucking run.”