The dwarf guide led yourself and the group of ten fortune seekers along a forgotten trade road to the Dwarven Capital in Ered Luin. The secrecy seeming odd. Afterall there were enough of you to easily sway any bandits or more evil things from bothering you. You felt it prudent not to ask, yet. After a few days travel you entered through a small inconspicuous side entrance tucked away behind thick scrub almost as if hidden. Once inside you followed the rough hewn passageway further into the mountains until only the dwarves among you realised how far you had travelled (about six miles they revealed), at points the ground rose and others it could dip sharply. This was no ordinary straight cut angular passage so typical of dwarven construction. One of the mercenaries had asked if the dwarves had made this tunnel in haste but Dakhak had shrugged non committedly and carried on his way at a faster pace. It was hard to keep up and no one asked anymore questions about the tunnel even when it had widened suddenly to a star shaped chamber with a black rock in the centre. This stone had been covered in runes of an unknown style and was perfectly circular (about 20feet in radius). This room had made your head fill with a buzzing noise and your bones had gently vibrated. Dakhak had got very serious at that point bidding you to keep to the sides of the room and on no circumstances touch the dark plug, as he had called it. He had hurried through here very quickly. Before long the tunnel became a bit more squarer and it began to widen. Then the paved floor started and after a few minutes more walking you entered a broad tunnel with many others similar tunnels like the one you had left branching off either side as you followed it slowly upwards it. After a little longer you heard the sounds of smithying and before you got close enough to see these craftsmen you had been hustled off down a smaller side tunnel by Dakhak. This led to a dead end. The guide after a few moments casting about pushed part of the wall and it had released a trap door which slowly opened itself in front of you. Steps led down into the unlit stairway. Dakhak bid you go down them, handing out a few torches which he promptly lit from the lanterns in the room. He led the way. After a steep climb down of about a hundred feet, the stairway sometimes taking tortuous twists your group came to another seemingly dead end. However most the group spotted the latch on this side before Dakhak pulled down on it and led you into a plush chamber. There he asked you leave your equipment before ushering you into the next room telling you to sit with the Dwarf in there.

You are in a large shadowy square cut hall. The blue stone ceiling reaching 30 feet high above you. Around you sitting at a large heptagon table inlayed with gold are your companions. They appear to be studying a richly dressed dwarf. He seems to be in his late hundreds and is resplendent in ceremonial armour (it looks too gaudy to be of use in battle). He stands as you begin to take in the rest of the room and clears his throat indicating he would like your attention. All eyes turn towards him. "My name is Khand. I am, for all purposes, your employer. I will be your contact here. I am grateful you have come and ask you to trust me. You are known to the dwarven kind though I cannot tell you why, at least not now. I wish to tell you a story but it must never be told again outside these walls. I must ensure this by asking each of you to swear on a great artefact from the elder days, the Arkhand!" With this word appears in his outstretched palms a huge blue faceted gem, it must be over a foot in height and width. Strange whispers and mutterings fill your head but flit in and out so quickly you cannot understand what they say. He continues, a deep resonance in his raised voice, "This gem has the power of the mountains in it and this oath must not be taken lightly. Should you break your oath then terrible to you will be the consequences. Should you not wish to take the oath then no malice is wished upon you and you are free to leave this mountain with a purse of gold. Stay, take the oath and you will leave with a chest of gold and more! Who wishes to take the oath and become a dwarf friend?"

Elenugeth bounced out of his seat without a moments thoughts, quickly making his way to the dwarf at the front.

Crisply the boy drew his arm across his chest, fist clenched in salute, "Elenugeth, outrider under command of captain Galanhil, 2nd company, Minas Tirith, currently detached."

The brief introduction out the way the boys face once again breaked into wry grin, "sounds kind of fun, theres a tale to tell i guess and one i would like to hear even if it is to remain in these mighty dwarven halls."

Arm still slung across this chest but with great solemnity, Elenugeth cleared his throat, "I will swear the oath honourable dwarf, i will swear friendship to you, your kin and all the dwarves, i will swear on the Arkhand and be bound by it and hope in doing so, one as lowly as myself may provide what service you and your kin require. I ask only that you promise me that such action will not bring me into conflict with my oath to Minas Tirith and Gondor for while i will always be a friend to you and your kin, an oath holds me to my homeland also and if there would be conflict between the two i would surely go mad trying to hold true to both. If there is no such conflict, then let us continue and rejoice!"

It being difficult to bounce much in plate armour Ondoher rises and strides forward to give his answer, his helm held under his arm. The crispness of his walk is eloquent of a life spent in a military family, while the subtlety of his footfalls, much quieter than expected, whispers of experience outside the norm for one of that background.

He speaks without preamble, or the need to clear his throat. Surety there is in his voice, as if doubt is something he has never known. The grey in his hair and his eyes make him appear older than he is, and lends him a strangely compelling authority.

"My name is Ondoher of House Orros, a knight in the Royal Army of Arthedain. For the moment my brother has my place in the ranks and I am free to take service with other powers, while the border remains quiet, to the greater glory of my family and our realm.

"Much I have heard of the dwarves, that they are no friend to the orcs, goblins and trolls which threaten my fair and gracious realm. While this does not make you an ally perforce, yet it is enough to pique my interest."

"Like the brave lad here I too am bound by oath to Lord and King, sworn to defend Arthedain from all who would bring her harm. I have sworn this oath upon winning my spurs and the words I have spoken cannot be unspoken, nor would I wish it so. The King holds my service and only by his word can I be released from it."

"However my folk and my family have ever held warm relations with the dwarven kindred and so with the proviso that my oath to Lord and King takes precedence I will swear to be true. Then and only then will you have the service of my sword."

Ondoher nods, but refrains from snapping his heels together.

Tieger stands comfortably at ease as the dwarven leader speaks, watching his companions reactions to the words. It has been a while since he has been a part of such a large group, and he has never been in one consisting of such diverse cultures.
Tieger looks on curiously as the 2 military types give their, somewhat conditional, oathes, then he too steps forward. "I know little of the dwarven kind, but what i do know is that you are honourable. i do so swear that what you will say shall go no further than this room, and pledge myself to your service." His oath given, he steps back again.

Urthgar waits until a few of his comrades have said their piece, then stands from where he is sitting in the shadow against the hard stone wall.

"I need none of your golden coins, nature provides. But I am curious, I will swear your oath, lets be done with it so I may feel the wind on my face"

His face is solemn as he stands, slightly ill at ease in the confined space.

Tawl watches the others take the oath with interest, particulary the military warriors.

Walking over, with forceful strides he comes before the gem stone.

'I will also swear to uphold your oath, but like the others I will not harm those who fostered me and I also have a personal oath of revenge to uphold' Staring the dwarf in the eyes 'I am honoured to become a dwarf friend'. Tawl takes the oath then walks back towards the wall to observe the others.

Feral climbed to his feet and strode to the gem, neither looking left or right. He paused a moment unsure what to do next - Then he raised his hand and hovered it above the gem, he seemed to gaze deep inside the vast, rock then an almost inaudible sigh escaped his lips as his hand caressed the stone momentarily.

"Done." He said

Turning he returned to his place without a further word.

The man is obviously of Dunedan descendancy, his bearing at least tells that much. He wears chain armour which more than likely has seen better days, Black hair visciously scraped back and tied into a small shoulder length pony tail and grey eyes which stare about reflectling the hard light under the mountains where he stands now. His face and skin are weathered from long exposure to sun and elements. In fact the only thing about him that looks well kept are the twin blades which hand loosely at his side.

The red haired man with the drooping small forest of a mustache, who had introduced himself as Tardka in the Tavern but had said precious little else got out of his chair. His flamboyant gold trimmed red cape parted slightly to give a glimpse of polished rigid leather which glinted in the gem's subtle light. At his side, strung off a shoulder, was a lute. A white fur skin scabbard, presumably dangling from his waist, showed off the bottom end of some kind of bladed weapon poking out from under his cloak. He walked slowly forward to take up his position beside the gem and simply nodded in agreement.

The one known as Rav, a long sandy haired half elf with sky blue eyes, eased himself out of his seat. He stood beside the bard and nodded his head in agreement too.

Magos simply nodded his head and quietly watched the events from his seat at the table.

The lythe figure dressed in fine yet quite sturdy clothes stands up, virtually silently steps forwards to the table, clearing his throat he speaks with a gentle yet surprisingly commanding tone.

"Khand I too have heard of you and your kin, which is why you have peaked my interest as to why a man such as you needs the assistance of a group of mercenaries, while you will no doubt answer my question shortly I will pledge my allegiance to your kind and take your oath if only to appease my curiosity. My name is Merlothrien and by my bloodline I am at your disposal"

As the figure says these words he drops to one knee lowering his head and after a brief moment stands and takes a step back.

As the last oath taker agreed, his final syllable echoed around the silent hall.

With a loud but short lived crackle the Arkhand momentarily froze everyone in an incandescent flash of blue light. There was a curt high pitched noise, it may have been a scream but it was over too quickly to discern. Ignoring the pile of ash that was once Tardka, Khand smiled. "Good, all you who still breathe are worthy of the Arkhand! Now I must tell you the tale for you are all tied to it.” He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Dakhak bustling out of the shadows with a shovel and large bucket. Khand studied each confidant in turn as the other dwarf busied himself with scooping up the unfortunate bard’s remains.

Once Dakhak had finished the gaudily dressed Dwarf seemed satisfied with something so continued, “The Arkhand is no ordinary gem as I am sure you have guessed. It was discovered long ago by my ancestors and found to have many powers that I cannot reveal to you as there are other secrets we must keep. However, one of those powers concerns the well being of the dwarven kind. This artefact was not always this colour. Three weeks ago this gem was crystal clear. Concerned, I performed the ceremony and was able to gain great insight. I saw you all at the Grey Havens though that day had not yet dawned.” He frowned for a moment, “These past few weeks, I have seen most your faces in dreams. You are all involved, I am sure, but some faces are not present in this hall tonight.” He shrugged, pointing to a dark corner behind him where the scout now stood, he said, “Dhakhak knew who to look for and it looks like he has found some of you with others who’s fate must be entwined.”

He cleared his throat. “But I digress, let me tell you of Balaak." Suddenly the Arkhand darkend in hue to a deep blue. The lanterns spluttered as an intense chill swept into the hall. Unperturbed, Khand closed his eyes and the Arkhand slowly returned to its original colour. Khand continued, his breath still frosting in the icy air, "I will not mention that name again neither should any of you. We will refer to him as The Underlord. Who he was once has been lost in the aeons. What he became few now know. I do, and oath takers, so will you.”

He took a look towards another shadowy part of the hall then, in a quieter voice, said “As legends say Morgoth was banished to the void at the end of the First Age, Sauron at the end of the Second. Only the Witchking and Necromancer remain and their time will pass. But there are evils down here that have not been destroyed only defeated. Wars have raged in the deep tunnels that riddle Middle Earth since we first discovered the enemy. Not all that we fought were Goblins and the now extinct Balrogs!” He leaned closer to the group, “I have seen through the Weilder’s eyes! The Underlord must be the greatest of these beings. He can, and did, assume Dwarven form though few believed he was. In the visions, he has a great power that he uses to corrupt and pervert like the Dread Morgoth. His touch transformed Dwarves to twisted misshapen servants of his own. His will could drive them to fall upon each other. Dwarf killed dwarf and many died before the Arkhand was discovered.”

He took his hands away from the gem but it remained hovering. Khand stared off into the distance before his eyes flicked back to the huge gem before him. “There is a story in my family that Khond, the Weilder, was led there by voices in his head but we,” His serious façade faltered for a second, “keep that to ourselves. I truly believe that if it was not for this artefact then no dwarf would have been able to stand against him such was his presence and the fear,” He looked up at the party with proud eyes, “yes fear, he installed in our race. But it was used to destroy him.” Dropping his head again he said sadly, “The gem has not revealed to me how, only to confirm that he has not been destroyed. I sent a trusted friend out to check the plugs. I have not heard from him for a few days and now must fear the worst as he had reported that his minions showed signs of being active again. If we do not act swiftly, they might even reach the surface.” He shuddered.

Lifting his chin again his countenance was grim, “What his powers are to non dwarfs we do not know but we cannot take the risk of him rising again. The place of his demise was sealed. You have gone past one such shaft in the star shaped room. That black rock or plug seals the hole that leads to the Deeps, home of the Arkhand and other equally powerful forces. That place should never be delved into again.” He put both palms back under the Arkhand, “The Underlord and Arkhand are tied in some way. When it is black he will have regained his might. Should that happen the dwarves of this area will be in great peril. We must stop him before it is too late. No one must know of our weakness. No one.”

Taking a deep breath he addressed the adventurers, “So, will you help?”

Rav is first to agree, "I will help you, anything that upsets the balance of life needs to be stopped."

Tawl regards the dwarf's words, then says 'It seems you have indeed engaged my services, this is a worthy cause for my prowess. I'm in.'

Feral nods, "Aye, I will help. My fate would have it no other way"

Urthgar looks down towards the stone floor, perhaps THROUGH the stone floor

"Your fate perhaps - my fate would have me die under the stars, not in a hole"

He steps towards the Arkhand and reaches his hand out, almost touching it. He closes his eyes and seems to be listening, cricking his neck as if listening to the very air.

"So be it, we will accompany you"

From out of the shadows slinks a large war dog, scars on his flanks tell of many fights, and there is a glint of unlikely intelligence in his eye.

"Karl and I are at your service"

Tieger also agreed, "I am most at home on the ice flats of the far north, but that has not yet stopped me from accomplishing my goals. I will gladly do as you ask"

Ondoher replies too, "Of course I shall, you have the services of my sword."

As Khand looked at the remaining party members and saw each in turn nod their head, he smiled.

"I have other matters to address so cannot stay too long. Ask me any questions you may have now and let Dakhak know if you require any special equipment."

The High Dunadan Ondoher was first with his question, "Might I ask where we are going and what equipment we shall need? If it is deep into the earth then we shall doubtless need more equipment than we have."

Khand runs his stubby fingers through his greying beard as he ponders, "My trusted friend, Oxensplat, was on the east side of the mountains about 60 miles north of here, he was checking the plugs in the area we believe to be the Underlord's tomb. The last pigeon I received arrived here 6 days ago. His note had said he had found a damaged plug and heard noises in the rock below it. I believe you should start at the tomb.
There is a trail you can take that will take you directly there. Although seldom used it should be safe. I suppose that brings us onto equipment, I have no horses to give you but if you will ride ponies then you could cover the distance in two and half days or a little over three if on foot." He looked towards Dakhak who had emerged from the shadows once again, "Dakhak has already prepared two ponies with rope, climbing equipment, tunnelling gear, provisions and lighting. I do not know if any of it will be needed, in fact I do not know how any of you are needed but Mahal will show the way I'm sure!"

Feral looks at the others gathered.

"Do any of you have skill with healing herbs?" he asks "If so I suggest stocking up, we do not know how long or how far underground we shall need to go."

"I know the plants and how they heal" replies Urthgar

Tieger also heard the comments about healing supplies "I have some skill with healing herbs, and have a few with me and hopefully will be able to find more as we go. Though I'd recommend trying not to get hurt if I were you." With this tieger grins slightly as though he's told some kind of joke.

Khand nods his head, "I can give you what herbs will grow here but there is a friend of the Dwarves who is renowned for her herblore, we call her the Lady of the Grove. I will give you a necklace that you should present to her, I am sure she will give you all the help she can when she sees it. The forest she resides in is along the route you must follow. Look for the nature signs she leaves to indicate which one it is.

Feral continued, "If these places be dark, light would be needed. Torches or lanterns and oil."

Khand, again, nodded, "Dakhak will make sure you have ample instruments of light. Will you be travelling by foot or pony?"Khand hears his own question as if for the first time and begins a dry chuckle. He looks at the 7' Feral, to the 6'7" Ondoher clad in plate, next Tawl coming in at 6'5" and then to Rav and Urthgar an inch taller than the 6'1" Magos. "Forgive me, my friends! I am so used to dealing with dwarves I have forgotten how tall you surface dwellers are! The two ponies will be ready in an hour! Is there anything else before I go?"

Merlothrien was next to speak up, "Khand, yet again you have peaked my curiosity, may I ask what happened to Tardka he seemed like a good fellow, one moment he was here and the next dust ? I'm sure whatever you provide will be sufficent, yes I will help you just tell us what needs to be done."

Khand looked toward where Tardka had stood, "He was not worthy. Maybe his heart was black or his intentions dishonourable. In the presence of the Arkhand its power is strongest. No one can deceive it so he paid the price."

Elenugeth, quiet till now comes to the fore again. "I'm sure you'll be able to provide all that we need but I would be grateful if i could look over the equipment before we leave to ensure there is enough for us all."

Elenugeth makes a side long glance to the heavily armoured warriors at this point and shakes his head.

"Just one point, while Iremember. Will you or any other guide be joining us?"

Khand nodded approvingly at the Half-elf, "Indeed I will be joining you though in spirit rather than body. You will be given necklaces who's power is derived from the mountains. Above ground they are mere indicators of the Underlord's power but beneath the surface their potency increases. I will be able to speak to you then." He spotted a few puzzled looks, "You will need no guide to find him, Mahal will guide you. When you surface dwellers are underground I will try to help with any questions as I know that world to be unlike your own."

Elenugeth then asked, "You say that the Arkhand helped you to victory last time, but not how it did? You mention we must stop Belak but not how you did last time? You mention the place of his demise, but you are sure it is Belak again that threatens you again, was he killed or just imprisioned and if the latter, why not vanquished once and for all? Forgive my questioning for I intend no disrespect. Regardless of which Iwill help, but a scout is my profession, and I would rather seek a path with some knowlege of the ways of our enemy than stumble blindly into the darkness."

Again, Khand looks impressed with the scout. "You ask the very same questions I have asked of this item. The Underlord is our adversary, the Arkhand has confirmed this. As to your other questions if I had the answers I would gladly tell you now but I do not. It has been thousands of years since The Underlord's supposed demise, most records we have of that age were lost in the great upheavals that shattered our glorious halls at the end of the First Age. I do feel there may be an answer somewhere in our library so I have a scholar discreetly looking for anything relevant. He has found
old maps and we have guessed where the plugs and his tomb may now be." He sighed while turning something over in his head, "I should have been more studious and taken my duties more seriously. However, three weeks ago I was just Khand, son of Khand, one more Khand in a long line of keepers of the Arkhand, a powerful but inactive relic of glories and dangers long since passed. As everyday has passed I have grown more attuned to it, especially now that it is once again active but I have not mastered it as yet." Staring past Elenugeth, he fell silent for a moment.

Khand then addresses you all, "I must now go to attend other matters. As there are no more questions I will leave you in Dakhak's capable hands. He will be able to get any items for you before you go free of charge. Please stay in this room or the side room where your other possesions are stored, I don't want anyone following you or taking an interest. He will lead you out of Nogrod. You are the chosen of the Arkhand and you are our hope." He brings his palms around the sides of the gem, the moment it touches his hands there is a blinding white flash that momentarily blinds you all. When your vision returns again Khand is nowhere to be seen but a considerable smaller Arkhand remains, now in the middle of the table glowing faintly. Another necklace is beside it. Laying in front of you on a mithril chain is a light blue gem pendant, each a mini replica of the Arkhand.

Dakhak scurries out of the lengthened shadows to slip a blue velvet bag over the gem. The room is immediately plunged into total darkness. Those of you wearing your necklaces feel the small gem go warm followed by your vision returning even though the room is still dark. He is careful not to touch it as he gathers it up then pulls the drawstring tight. The red haired dwarf subsequently secrets this in a pouch on his belt. He repeats the process with the spare necklace.

"Please take a seat and I'll get your refreshments," He says simply as he walks quickly away to an open door that had been hidden by the shadows which no longer exist with your new augmented eyesight.

When everyone is seated he serves up a meal of cold meats, fruits, berries, very cold water, wine and ale. As you tuck in Dakhak promises to return as soon as he can then scuttles out the door. He closes it after him with the sound of two bars being drawn across are plainly heard shortly after.

He returns about an hour later with a small pouch, "Good, good, I hope it was to your satisfaction?" He gives the pouch to Urthgar with an apologetic look at Tieger, "Begging your pardon Sire but I had to be discreet and there was not much I could obtain, not much grows down here herbwise anyway. All I could get was some red fungus we call Zur and them pink speckled mushrooms. Gothar is sure gonna be mad when he realises I pocketed some of them! We call those Zulsendura but use them wisely as they got some kick in the tail!

He steps away and clears his throat, "Please follow me Sires. I have taken the liberty of packing all that is required onto two ponies and already sent them ahead with m'lad. I've also included a loaf of Cram each and some dried meat and bones for the hound. Oh, you may wish to take those necklaces with you."

He bid you follow him. He took you much the same way as you came. Again hurrying past the dark "plug". Anyone wearing a necklace had their's briefly flare up but then die as this room was exited. The replica Arkhands not worn did not exhibit this behaviour.

You travelled on towards the exit without much further incident. At last you came upon the door which Dakhak opened onto a sickenly bright afternoon with around 20% cloud cover, a north easterly chilly breeze and the ground slightly moist from recent rainfall. Outside the door on the small plateau beside it were two stout ponies with various supplies on it. A grumpy young gingered haired dwarf sees the party and immediately walks down the mountainside towards the main gate. Elenugeth gave the ponies a cursory inspection to reveal rations, rope, pulleys, chains, picks, shovels, a couple of hefty wooden planks, a few hatchetts, 40 square foot of canvas, 14 lanterns and two barrels of oil.

Dakhak closes the secret door and walks over to Ondoher, "Please take this from me and keep it safe. Give it to the Lady of the Grove, its rightful owner I'm told." He reaches in his pocket and gives Ondoher the necklace he had taken from the table earlier. Dakhak then walks over to Urthgar and gives him the larger bag. His subservient manner falls away as he seems to grow an inch or two and his voice deepens in resonance, "This, I entrust to you, to all of you. Do not let sunlight touch it and try to keep it underground as often as you can. Should the enemy gain possesion of this then all will be lost."

The mountain trail leads roughly northwards. Looking down the trail you can see it is cut into the rock. Each side of the trail has plenty of scrub. The mountain and its sheer slopes are on your left as you face north, the vales and its myriad streams on the right. The main gate lies to the south. In the distance south by east are the spires of the Grey Havens.

"It's been a while since I followed this path but I will tell you what I remember. This path splits in two around the first bend. Both follow the same direction but one we call the high road, the other the low. Line of sight ahead of you for both trails can vary from 10' to 600'. The low road at this point is at its widest, but that will vary from 50' to as little as 5'. The high road," He smirks, "or more accurately ledge can rise upwards of 300 feet above the low. It is much narrower, about 3' to 10', and can be dangerous for those not paying attention. The trail looks down upon the vales with the drop being anything from 0' to 300'. Every now and then there are small paths leading down into the vales or up onto the ridge above you. That's about it, the Lady's forest is about three days on foot. Remember to look for her nature signs and may Mahal look after you!"

Turning away, he ambles away in the direction of the young dwarf, puffing on a clay pipe as he goes. Apart from the noise of the wind, the mountain and any wildlife are deathly quiet.

Merlothrien speaks up "We need to sort some kind of order here people, we need to be on our guard and makes sure all areas are covered, scouts scouting and warrior types protecting the rest of the party, something is not right about this place so I suggest we proceed with caution.

Urthgar says he will stay with the bulk of the party, in case his healing skills are necessary. He will remain attuned to the wilds around him, and attempt to spot anything unusual, perhaps sending Karl to investigate if anything turns up. He will especially look for the signs for the lady of the
grove.

He suggested an initial speed of a normal walk. Urthgar is happy to lead the ponies, and care for them. He will let Karl run free, perhaps accompanying the scouts for some extra senses and oomph if needed.

He will bury the pouch given him by the Dwarf at every opportunity, attempting to keep it "underground" - being an inquisitive sort, should the opportunity arise he will take a peak inside, but only in dead of night, and preferably in a cave or similar.

He will also prepare several of the herbal recipes on the first evening.

As far as watches are concerned Urthgar and Karl are happy to take any. Urthgar will always offer to cook, and will hunt/gather to provide for the party, unless someone else does first.

Feral said that unless they had a scout who wanted to take point Feral will position himself close to the front. He will constantly keep a watch for any signs of trouble and such like, though beyond that he is unable to do a great deal.

Watch wise Feral will take a watch as and when needed, the amulet seems to allow a form of night vision so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

"Though I am not entirely familiar with this area, I have some experience with similar terrain. I will happily scout out the land ahead, and try to ensure we're not walking into any kind of ambush. If you would have Karl accompany be, i would appreciate it. Otherwise it may not be possible for me to get word back to you if I'm ambushed. If you would prefer to keep the group together on the other hand, I will still travel near the front and try to detect any enemies before we walk into them."

Elenugeth said that as they appeared to have someone scouting at the front, he'd take a position to the rear then and make sure they were not ambushed from behind. He continued, "I have no idea about which may be the better route but considering some of our party are not dressed for
climbing, I'd considerer the low road the better option for now. More open for attack but then more options in the event of a fight. Only one way to go when your high up on a ledge and that's down." Elenugeth grins. "We don't want to spread out too far also, we're not an army and don't have the luxury of having a sizable enough force to have outriders in all directions. If we are attacked we need to be able to fall back to the center in a timely fashion. May I suggest the mages and warriors stick with the ponies?"

Tawl will take the rear of the party and try to look out to the sides as he goes.

Rav takes up a position nearish the front where he gets a good view

Ondoher speaks up..

"Well as I see it, Tieger wants to go towards the front. I agree, he's a hunter and we might see tracks and such before we ever see an enemy. If you do, then fall back to me and I'll get word to the main party, that's unless you have knowledge of the Waildyth signals."

Tieger shook his head.

"Feral", Ondoher blinks at the name, " will go near the front unless there is someone more suited to point duty, which there is. I'll stay close to him, but should the points run into trouble. Just behind us there will be our healer Urthgar and our wizard Merlothrien, both of whom should remain in the middle of the party. Urthgar, your responsibility should be to safeguard our ponies, since if there is fighting the ponies could bolt and then where would we be?"

"I will be leaving my warhorse behind since I doubt whether Eket would enjoy journeying in the dark earth."

"I think Rav should stay behind Merothrien and Urthgar to watch over them."

Rav, opened his mouth to say something then shrugged his shoulders.

Ondoher continued, "Merlothrien, do you have a familiar to scout the land from above?"

Merlothrien, too, shook his head.

Ondoher carried on regardless, "Elenugeth wants to bring up the rear, that's a good place as being a scout should we encounter something to the front you'll be able to move around their flank quietly. Tawl you should stay ahead of him but able to assist him quickly should ambushers attempt to wind us up from behind."

"I think Magos who has not expressed a preference should be our flanker, as being of the Silvan folk he is doubtless adept at moving swiftly and quietly in the vegetation which will flank our march."

Ondoher looks over at Urthgar.. "Perhaps the war dog should accompany him?"

Urthgar nodded.

"Since speed and secrecy are of importance we should adapt our pace to the terrain. Where there is little concealment let us make haste (normal walk/jog alternating), but where there is concealment for ourselves and our enemies, let us exercise some caution and slow the pace (careful walk/sneak in ambush/enclosed areas). We shall travel sixteen hours a day, so as not to exhaust our pack ponies.

As for watches well here's how I think we should do it. Bear with me till I'm done.

Merlothrien and Magos meditates for the first two hour watch and then remain on guard for the rest of the night. Urthgar's hound will be of some value here as well I would suggest. Each watch shall be two hours duration..

Hound/Elenugeth/Tieger/Urthgar
Merlothrien/Magos/Hound/Tawl
Merlothrien/Magos/Hound/Feral
Merlothrien/Magos/Hound/Ondoher

Rav can take a watch when he wishes to.

Urthgar needs to be our magic when Merlothrien is meditating.

The nine adventurers, 2 ponies and one dog headed down the low road, carefully at first, sometimes pausing at a particular tight bend or where parts of the road were heavy in bushes and other natural hiding places.

They travelled thus:

Tieger

Ondoher Feral
Urthgar Merl Ponies
Rav Magos (flank) Karl (flank)

Tawl

Elenugeth

By the time the sun was dropping in the sky, 7 uneventful miles had been travelled.

With not much time to establish a good location, due to failing light and the discovery that the Amulet's night vision was not working, a wide part of the road with some fallen rocks was the best the party could do. Urthgar buried the Arkhand under his bedroll.

After the watches were agreed some more discussion was made about the marching order around the fire Urthgar had needed to brew a few of his herbs. As the road was very narrow at points Magos flanking along with the dog was not particularly practical, sometimes he was no further than 5 feet from the main group. Rav had voiced his opinion that he'd rather be further to the front and Tieger admitted Karl closer to him would make it harder for someone to outwit him up front. A quick vote was taken and it was decided to go with the following marching order the next day:

Tieger Karl

Ondoher Feral Rav
Urthgar Merl Ponies
Magos (flank when possible)
Tawl

Elenugeth

As the party gathered their belongings together at the start of an overcast day everyone commented on how quiet their watch the previous night had been. Once the ponies had been fed the party moved out again.

As the day wore on the clouds got darker bringing occasional light showers which got heavier and more frequent the further north they travelled. No one missed the fact that the clouds further north looked much more darker.

During one such shower Tieger had called a halt to the party's advance. He had beckoned Ondoher to come forward. They had stared past the bend in the road and spoken for a moment before the Dunadan had returned to the group to inform them a pack of Grey wolves were up ahead. Urthgar had become very adamant at this point that confrontation with these animals need not be the best course of action. A few others agreed saying that these type of wolves were the more timid kind and would rarely attack well armed groups.

Nevertheless, bows were taken off shoulders and quivers opened just in case. Urthgar insisted on leading the group forward.

The pack of wolves pricked their ears and got to their feet as the bulk of the party rounded the bend.

Once the full strength of the group was in front of them, the largest wolf amongst them loped off down the road and down a small path that led down to the foothills below. He was closely followed by the rest of the pack.

The party were even more cautious for the next few hours but there was no more sign of the wolves.

Estimating to have travelled another 20 miles over 12 hours, the party decided to push on a little further.

Again, the lack of night vision, showers and tricky terrain slowed the party down so by the time the ponies were beginning to flag only another 3 miles had been covered.

With no time to find a good camp the party had to make do with stringing Tarps together around some bushes close to the mountain wall. Those not on watch quickly succumbed to sleep despite the dampness all around them. Urthgar again buried the dwarven gem.

Shortly after the camp became silent Karl growled at the same time Tieger threw off the tarp he had been wrapping around himself to stand at the ready with a wicked looking two handed pole arm. Both looked in the direction of the ponies. Elenugeth drew back on his
bow, "To arms, the wolves have returned!" He screamed.

"I ask of you, do not harm them if you can help it!" shouted Urthgar as he began to make murmured calls to nature.

Feral, Ondoher and Tawl immediately sat bolt upright. Magos and Merlothrien still looked towards the night sky, lost in some sort of reverie. The half-elven Rav, shook his head groggily.

Tieger cursed, then began making his own call to nature.

As the first wolf emerged out of the wet night, it made a beeline for the ponies. As it leapt Elenugeth's bow sang out but the arrow only nicked a leg, causing a small amount of bleeding. The animal did not slow.

Snarling as they came on, eight other wolves followed the large wolf.

"Be calm!" commanded Urthgar in a loud, deep voice.

The front two pack wolves, stopped their charge and began howling.

"Hold!" bellowed Tieger. Two more skidded to a halt.

Karl stood guard by his master.

Tawl, Feral and Ondoher came scrambling out from underneath the tarps. "Please do not harm them if you can my friends! If you do not hurt them, I will be able to stop them!" Urged Urthgar.

The large wolf raked its claws down one of the tethered ponies before clamping it's jaws around its neck. Feral, seeing the wolf already wounded, bared down on it. Ondoher and Tawl ran to the ponies.

Two of the wolves attacked the other pony but two more were beaten back by Ondoher's wall shield and Tawl's defensive parrying.

Urthgar again cried out for peace. The two wolves attacking the other pony immediately stopped their growling. They ran out towards the four other becalmed wolves.

Feral bore down upon the pack leader and in one stroke severed it's paw, it began yelping and trying to back away. After a cry from Urthgar the huge man held his second blade in check.

Tieger focused his attention on the two remaining wolves being forced slowly back by Ondoher and Tawl.
"Hold!" He shouted again. The two wolves ran off immediately.

Elenugeth swung to his left and drew a bead on 3 other wolves that had been sneaking up from the other side of the ponies. He shouted a warning over the yelps of the pack leader. However, he did not need to loose another arrow as these three slunk off the way they came. The rest of the pack followed suit. Urthgar took a look at the pack leader and shook his head sadly indicating he did not have the skill to save the beast. Feral was quick to put it out of its misery.

The beorning then tended to the ponies, these wounds were less severe though both life threatening. After more pleas to nature Urthgar was satisfied the ponies would be fully healed by the morning.

The rain started before dawn and did not let up for the rest of the dark dreary day.

By the time the party had travelled another 20 miles over 12 hours everyone was soaked through and in the mood for some decent shelter. After another hour a low but long rough hewn tunnel was found. It petered out to rock face that had once been worked by someone.
Everyone noted that the augmented night vision returned once the wearer was in the tunnel but failed when they were outside again.

Inside the tunnel Urthgar took the bag out containing the Arkhand and peered inside. Deep male voices chanting in Khuzdul were heard. To everyone's surprise they understood the language perfectly. The chants were pleas to their god, Mahal, to be merciful. The voices changed to a different set beseeching Mahal for protection. The chanting stopped. Khand's tired voice was heard in everyone's head, "Please my friends, let
the Arkhand rest, it will be needed tomorrow. Get it under mountain as soon as you can!" Urthgar pulled the drawstring tight and the tunnel went quiet again.

The next morning the weather had worsened. A biting wind from the north buffeted and chilled the party. Only Feral, Ondoher, Tawl and Urthgar seemed bothered by the cold. Mainly rain and scattered hail was blown into the faces of everyone as they trudged down the road, directly into the strong wind.

Ondoher was lucky to spot some markings on the side of a large boulder just before midday. He was able to tell that it meant "trade ahead. Herbs and water." Magos was able to see "trade ahead, herbs, stream, 2 miles." Urthgar was able to see "Herb trade ahead, 2 miles. Seek the forest by the stream."

After another two miles the party came to a stream that spurted out from the mountainside. It rushed over the road and down between two lines of trees to run alongside a forest below. The stream ended in a lake with a large forested island some 450' away. There was
ample room to lead the party down towards the forest below.

As the party refilled their water skins Tieger and Magos looked around for tracks. Showing their skill they identified some tracks barely made by an elf the night before. They led towards the wood. Merlothrien called attention to several crossed sticks hanging from the trees along the path down. The symbols looked hastily constructed but all three Waildyth practitioners immediately saw their meaning, "Danger."

After scouring the path down for traps the party advanced with weapons drawn. Another signal this time with small rocks bade traders to wait at the nearest edge of the wood.

Tieger, took a sniff of the air but the wind and rain made it hard to smell anything. Remaining cautious, Karl, Elenugeth and Tieger scouted the 110 feet to the forest edge. As they got there Karl growled at one of the smaller trees. Tieger took another long sniff in the direction of the tree then smiled, "We wish you no harm Lady of the Grove, only to trade with you and to give you a token from the Dwarves of Nogrod." Still remaining alert he bid the party approach.

Seeing some curious looks as they reached him he explained the young tree smelt like an elf! Suddenly the tree illusion dissipated to reveal a striking 6'
scantily clad wood elf. Weaved over her body were branches and leaves that barely concealed her modesty. Her long black hair billowed in the wind as her one hazel and one light blue eye studied the group intently. "Travellers, I am Ishtar, protector of this small wood but I fear my-" She is interrupted by a "Whoosh!" noise followed by a deafening "Boom!". Everyone spins round to face the direction of the noise. Steam rises from some trees 500 feet away in the wood. Another "Whoosh!" and subsequent "Boom!" this times lights up part of the forest with a flash. A tree sags about twenty feet from the edge of the forest at the end of a clearing some 400 feet in the distance. A small figure emerges with a good turn of speed behind it. The racing form catches sight of the group and changes it's tack accordingly. "Hold your fire!" shouts what looks like a male hobbit as
Elenugeth pulls back on his bowstring ready to let loose if needed.

The fleeing hobbit appears to be in full sprint, his hood flapping behind his head. His hair is standing on end and part of his cloak appears to be smoking. "Look to the Forest!" He screams.

Two large, as huge as Feral, and as broad, dark figures dressed in ragged black robes bound out of the forest after him. The lead one looks past the hobbit noticing the party. Both stop as one then disappear. Ishtar points in the direction of the lake with the Island, "There was another there!" As if she had summoned it, two of the trees bend aside as a third dark shape pushes its way past. It pauses for a moment at the island's shore before leaping 50 feet across the lake to land on its hook clawed feet with a thud. For the first time its face can be made out. The skin colour looks grey and mottled with black spots. The eyes are white with no pupils. It has a ridged forehead with what look like thorns running down the middle of it. The thorns get thicker until on top of its wide flat nose is a barbed spike. Its jawline resembles that of a human's but the mouth is huge, running literally ear to ear. The creature's chin has a thorned spike jutting downwards at an angle. Steam snorts out of its flaring nostrils. With what could be
a smile that briefly reveals quite deadly looking fangs it, too, vanishes.

Tawl draws his sword and runs to the front of the party with his sword ready. He is facing the creature by the lake and takes a defensive stance until the others are ready to join him.

Tieger rapidly readies his halberd, then speaks to his companions "I have encountered these before. If you concentrate, they can be seen, a mere shimmer in the air." Tieger then starts scanning the air around where the creatures disapeared. He also sniffs in attempt to discern their approximate location by smell.

The Hobbit runs a few more steps toward the party and then falls to his knees, his long, sandy/brown hair hanging over his face. He draws in several small breaths, composing himself. He smells of smoke and sweat. He stands and flips his hair back.

"Hello everyone, I am Horace Winebride, goods enabler, cook and trouble finder. My mother always told me I'd get into trouble and how right I've proved her over the years!" and he grins disarmingly.

"My you are a grand group of people and so tall!"

Horace is a Harfoot Hobbit. Standing an impressive 41 inches in height and weighing in at a scale shattering 61 pounds. His eyes are deep blue and always seem to sparkle and twinkle with life and wit. His hair is a sandy brown and long and curly.

"Well am I safe now or do i need to keep running?"

He looks around at all of you.

A large Dunadan, though not the largest, that prize being taken by a psychotic looking individual next to him, responds...

"Safety is ever relative, what do you think, Master Hobbit? Are you safer with us than with them."

The group fairly bristles with weaponry, brawny experienced warrior types, elves, half elves, dunadan and northmen.

Ondoher himself looks like a veteran of northern campaigns, indeed his mere presence, seemingly at peace with the world and thus scared of nothing, seems to dispel fear.

"Well I think I'm much, much safer than I was before anyway!" replies Horace and he looks down at his scorched clothes.
"I am sorry for my somewhat dishevelled experience and thank you for saving me!"

He turns and looks toward the forest and mutters, "At least for now..."

"Saved" smirks Ondoher. "He jumps into the middle of us and then says we saved him. Didn't give us much choice did he, the little rascal?" Ondoher seems more amused than angry however.

Doubtless it is an attempt to calm stretched nerves. In any case Ondoher concentrates on the air before him looking for the tell tale signs that have been related to him.

Ondoher spoke again, "These creatures look like they will attack, let them come to us. If we move to them they will only lead us a merry chase and jump to attack those who can least defend themselves."

Ondoher turns to their hostess.

"Lady, what would you suggest?"

"I do not know much about these creatures other than they are cunning and seem to be able to communicate with each other without the need for words." replies Ishtar. She then begins quietly chanting to herself whilst slowly retreating backwards behind the fighters.

"I suggest you come here little one, take cover and lets see what can be done about your protagonists shall we"
Merlorthiren replies to the Hobbit. "I don't suppose you would be so kind as to tell us how these things have come to be chasing you and why, maybe there is a way this can be resolved without violence, although I doubt it, it's worth a try."

"People I'm going to get our new guest here out of harms way, do what you need to placate this issue with these.......what did you call them again Tieger ?"

"I dont know what they are, only that I've met them before." Tieger points at an unusual rock formation, about a mile or so away on the other side of the forest "I believe their lair to be around that. I had previously dismissed their attack on me, some days ago, as unrelated to our current quest. However, there was a dwarf present, who i believe they were torturing. Perhaps an investigation is in order... after we kill these ones, that is?"

Nodding, Merlothrien continues, "Now then Horace, stay close to me at all times while I get you safe, and while I think about it does anyone have any objections to shall we say some magical assistance if I am able to do so ?"

Tawl says, without turning around "if you can aid us in any way mage then by all means do so, I for one consent to your magical help in battling these cowardly foes" "Go ahead mage and quickly"

Ondoher, his shield to hand, readies one of his darts, a short heavy looking javelin, seemingly designed to weigh down a shield it meets. Looking around he sees the aura of the metal of the party he is with, it extends out a distance, assuring him that he will at least glimpse his opponents before they are among them.

'Pair up, fighters to the outside, non fighters behind them. Don't lose contact with your partner." instructs Ondoher. He seems wary and watchful but not the least afraid.

Urthgar feels the sting of his failure to protect both ponies and wolves, so stays close to the animals. He tells his companoions that he will prepare healing spells, but take no aggressive action yet.

"These things be not natural, I will not stay my hand, and neither should you comrades!!"

Karl is a different matter, he will circle the group, using all his sense to identify the location of the enemy, and will let everyone know when he does.

Elenugeth turns to the hobbit and grins in response to the Halfling's smile.

"Hello, Elenugeth at your service, you are safe as you can be in this place with us", the young man turns to the hobbit hurriedly and bows, then in a faint whisper "unless you consider boring companions," his eyes flick to the rest of the party "a terminal condition" and winks slyly, "for someone so small you make a large and loud entrance, still nice to meet someone who doesn't seem to have the weight of the world on their shoulders, while my travelling companions are stout and true, to be honest, they are also no fun at all, I think they take things too seriously sometimes but what is life without some fun?" The half elf grins again. "Now forgive me if I greet and run" his eyes flicking back to the spot where the large single form was last seen. "Well, if they fail to catch a hobbit they are either slow, stupid or our new friend is blessed. Do we follow or let them go?"

Elenugeth starts heading slowly for where the form was last seen.

"We have yet some distance to travel and I would rather not continue without knowing if we are hunted or not." As he talks Elenugeth continues forward turning frequently to the group "come we cannot let them get away, the longer we wait here, the greater their chance of escape".

While the young half elf implores the group, you see the conflict within him, it is obvious that he wants to head after the mysterious forms that moments ago were attacking but is holding off seeing that other others appear to be forming a more defensive line, his eyes flick to each of the group briefly before flicking back to the trees. Still he edges towards the last spot the forms were seen.

(GM:Rather than give you a wordy turn, for this fight I'll break down the combat into round by round, phase by phase actions to give any of you not familiar with the MERP system an insight.)

Round1: Horace moves 190ft, minions dissappear

Round2: Horace moves 190ft. Party discuss tactics.

Round3: Horace joins party. Party take up positions. Tieger saves his Megillos for later.

Round4: Merlothrien prepares Invisibility. Ishtar prepares Bless.
Party in position. Elenugeth edges forward with Magos and Tawl in direction of lake. Ondoher shouts out to them to hold.

Round5:
Magic: Horace stands close to Merlothrien as he weaves his hands in an intricate pattern. Both dissappear.
Behind them Ishtar casts a spell on Ondoher, Bless +10DB/MM
Missile: None
Melee: None
Movement: Creatures close to 150 feet, Lake group, 30 feet from main group stop, as Horace shouts a warning to them.
Static Maneuver: (GM: SMs in this case are Perception rolls to see who can see what) Elenugeth sees a shape in the rain bounding
towards Magos, Tawl and himself.
Tawl, sees the onrushing enemy as well.
Merlothrien, too, cries out as Karl growls at two other shapes in the rain heading for Ondoher, Feral, Rav, Karl and Tieger.
Urthgar sticks close to the ponies and spots all the incoming shapes.
Ondoher notices movement in the rain and steps forward to engage.
Magos and Rav, possibly disorientated by the blinding rain, turn about as if seeing a threat from behind.
Following Ondoher's gaze and his sense of smell, Tieger spots a blurred outline rushing towards Rav.
The others try to see the creatures but cannot discern them.

Round6:
Magic: Merlothrien prepares Sly Ears.
Ishtar prepares Bless.
Missile: Horace fires his short bow at the creature that came from the lake (GM:Calling it Minion 3). The arrow hits it in the torso but falls out immediately. The creature pops out of invisibility as does the hobbit.
Melee: None
Movement: Magos and Rav turn around.
The creatures close to melee range.
SM: Feral and Rav still do not see the creatures.

Round7:
Magic: Merlothrien prepares Water Bolt (I'm guessing you'd not bother with Sly Ears once you realise the creatures are
no longer invisible when struck!)
Ishtar casts Bless on Tieger, +10DB/MM.
Missile: Horace fires again but just grazes Minion 3's arm.
Elenugeth's arrow nicks the same arm.
Magos shoots his long bow at point blank range, the arrow thumps into its chest, a shot that would fell most men but the creature merely hisses in disdain.
Ondoher launches one of his darts at a minion on the other side of the party (GM: Minion 1) but it misses.
Melee: Although Magos tries to dodge, Minion 3 is surprisingly fast, one clawed hand punches right through his dragon breastplate, sending up a spurt of blood (GM: Bleeding, 4 hits lost per round) as it pierces the flesh beneath. Its other hand delivers a ferocious side swipe that catches the elf in
the side of the head sending the elven ranger flying 10 feet. Magos lands face down and does not move.
Tawl, seeing the minion bearing down on the prostrate Magos, attacks its flank and manages to slice his two handed sword deep into its side. When the blade comes out, no blood is evident.
On the other side of the group Minions 1 and 2 attack. Minion 1 slams into Ondoher's wall shield nearly tearing it from the large Dunadan's grip and almost knocking him over. Its other claw exploits the opening and opens a wound on his side (GM: Bleeding, 2 hits per round). Ondoher recovers his balance (GM: Lost attack result of A critical).
Glad to finally have a target Feral moves in on Minion 1's side. His first blade cuts a long slice down its arm but again the beast does not bleed nor seem to be affected by the wound. His second blade goes right through the minion's thigh.
Minion 2 has to stop its charge to avoid being impaled on Tieger's halberd, nevertheless it manages to get a claw through but his Kraken skin absorbs most of the blow.
Tieger retaliates with a mighty blow that strips part of its face away. It does not slow, nor bleed.
Rav springs into action once the minion appears. He manages to roll in and almost knock it over, his hook shaped weapon gouging its thigh in the process.
Finally, Karl leaps at Ondoher's minion but he is swatted aside.
Movement: Urthgar runs to Magos to see if the elf can be helped.
Ishtar moves closer to Tieger. (GM: After certain actions, up to 10' of movement can be taken)

Round8:
Magic: Merlothrien opens his palm outward, the rain coalesces into a thin tube then rockets towards minion 3. The bolt shatters a rib as it impacts. Urthgar prepares Clotting V (reduces bleed rate by 5 per rnd).
Ishtar prepares Hold Kind.
Missile: Horace sends another arrow into minion 3, this time the arrow embeds itself up to the feathers in its chest.
Elenugeth prepares his shot.
Melee: Rav attacks with his hook again inflicting another score into Minion 1's flesh.
Minion 3 and Tawl square up. They both attack at the same time. As Tawl is viciously slashed on his left arm (GM: 3 pr rnd, -30 medium muscle damage, stunned no parry 2 rnds) he is able to drive his sword up through its body. Within seconds the minion turns to ash and is blown away by the wind. The black tattered robe it had been wearing chases after the grey cloud. A small black stone about the size of the pendants lies on the ground where it stood.
Minion 1 hisses at Feral, ignoring Ondoher while it tries to deal with the swarthy Dunadan. Although they attack simultaneously Feral puts all his effort into parrying the creature's attack (GM: You can divert up to 100% of your wpn skill to parrying, i.e. instead of adding this to your attack roll it
is subtracted from your enemy's. Two handers can only use up to 50% of their attack bonus). The minion only manages a small scrape on his cheek.
Minion 2 steps inside Tieger's halberd and drags its claw over the inside of his elbow where his armour is thinner, blood begins to pump from the wound (GM: Bleeding 3/rnd). The injury is enough to force him to take a step back to regain his composure (GM: Effects of E critical meant he lost his attack) but the minion does not relent and opens another small gash in his thigh with its other claw (GM: Bleeding 1/rnd).
Ondoher drives in from Minion 1's flank. His long sword opens a hole in its stomach to reveal an absence of organs though some steam escapes from the 10 inch tear.
Karl nips at Minion 1 causing a small cut.
Movement: Ishtar moves directly behind Tieger.

Round 9:
Magic: Merlothrien prepares Water Bolt.
Ishtar prepares Hold Kind.
Urthgar casts Clotting V and stops Magos' bleeding.
Minion 1 and 2 close their eyes and are suddenly 300 feet away at the edge of the forest, further down the clearing.
Missile: Horace curses as he realises they are out of range of his short bow.
Elenugeth draws back on his long bow and lets fly. He is either very lucky or very skilled. The arrow arcs up into the sky and comes down dead centre on top of minion 1's head. There is puff of ash carried away in the wind, leaving one solitary minion.

The remaining Minion takes one look back at the party, snorts then crashes into the forest in the direction of the strange hill Tieger had mentioned earlier.

"That was good blade work, Feral." remarked Ondoher, his praise matter of fact, in fact what one might expect of a military officer. He said this as the creatures emerged on the forest edge, only for one of them to die a moment later.

Feral watched the last minion as it disappeared into the woods. He turned and looked at his companions noting the various scrapes and wounds they had sustained, blood mixing with the rain as it seeps from his own scratch. He touched his face and looked at his hand then smiled.

"Another scar to mark a glorious battle" he said.

Glancing at the others he looked at those tending wounds, "Fix them up as best ya can. We go to the hill. Whilst I have no real desire to rescue the
dwarf, these creatures intrigue me, I wish to see where they lair and what it might hold." All this said in a dismissive tone.

The falchions remained loose in his grip but ready for an attack.

"Elenugeth, help Tieger, if you please." Ondoher gently ordered. "Rav, help Tawl, if you please."

Urthgar toured the members of the party, bandaging as necessary, and healing the damaged muscle on Tawl.

After some calling to nature he managed to heal both Tieger and Tawl though informed the latter that without further herbal remedies he would not be fully cured for another 3 hours.

Ishtar looked over the wounds with Urthgar and seemed impressed with his ministrations. "Your craft is good Northman. If you all would follow me to the Island I believe I have the herbs that will cure all marks left from this battle."

The Beorning then returned to Magos to try and ascertain the cause of his coma, using normal, and magical means. The small trickle of blood from Magos's ears, indicated the grievous injury to his swelling head was probably untreatable.

Ondoher moved to Magos's side where he knelt and spoke with Urthgar, while looking down at Magos's prone and battered form. His expression was grim. For the moment he was stopping his own bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with his sword hand.

"How bad is it, and can we move him?" Ondoher looked around, his eyes peering into the woods seeking his
enemy.

"It may be those creatures will return with others. I'd rather we were somewhere defensible, were he could be treated in safety, rather than having us all exposed in the open." he explained.

Turning to their host he added, with his usual Dunadan earnestness, "Lady, we need a place to lick our wounds and recover."

Ondoher then gathered up his thrown dart.

Urthgar looked up from Magos, he turned to the lady, "This one is very bad, we need to find somewhere safe where I can tend to him"

Ishtar heard the requests for a safe place to recuperate. "I have seen these creatures the last few days and believe nowhere is truly safe." She looked
towards the lake, "That Island is the place I am most fond of, it could be called a home as it contains my store of herbs and what few possessions I have. It is probably the most defensible part of this forest but I have already been forced to flee it once. These abominations can leap over the lake to the island in but a single bound but I have the gift to sense when they approach so that may aid us."

The slender elf moved beside Magos, knelt beside him and gently lifted his head. She murmured to herself for a moment. When she stopped she said sadly, "The trees tell me his spirit seeks the next journey, he will be with Mandos come the morn. Let us bear him away from this place to lie on a bed of branches, his face to the stars."

"Oh I do hate bloodshed, it seems so unnecessary!" Horace shook his head and looked ashen as he viewed the scene of carnage.

He turned to look at the tall elf beside him, "Thank you Mister..."

"Merlothrien, though some shorten that to Merly," Answered the waif like Elf.

"Thank you Mister um Merly....and to reply to your question as to how I come to be chased by these beings, it's a long story and as my dear old mum used to say, long stories are better left to safe hearth and home. Right now this doesn't look very safe and I'm so very far from home!"

He went over to Ondoher, "When Mister Merly and I were invisible we could see the 'shadows' more clearly or at least they were revealed in another form. They appear to be related to dwarves and wore pendants similar to the ones you wear." He pointed at Ondoher's blue pendant.

"Do you think I could journey with you tall folk for now? I do not think it safe to blunder about in the woods alone or at least it seemed a good idea before I met these creatures...you see?"

Ondoher and those near Horace heard a squeaking from inside Horace's voluminous cloak. "Alright Sally I hear you." He reached in and pulled out a very small mouse-like creature and stroked it softly, He held it up toward Ondoher, "This is Sally, my shrew and best friend in the world. Sally this is Mister Ondoher and company...." She seemed to squeak in acknowledgement of them all.

"Sally and I maybe able to find that cave you speak of, that is if you still want to. Why anyone with any hobbit-sense would want to go into more danger, I don't know!"

Ondoher, after listening to the others for a while, interrupted.

"Our first priority is making sure Magos recovers, so Feral finding their lair and ending them will have to wait on that. When we have made Magos comfortable I will join you."

Feral looked around him then snarled a response, "So be it Ondoher. But whilst we gather our strength, our foes prepare themselves likewise. To strike now would be more prudent than retreat." He glanced towards the island, "Though it would be nice to be surrounded by water again."

Ondoher continued, "For the moment, Rav, Horace, Merlothrien, I would be grateful if you could cut some saplings for a stretcher so we can bear Magos to a place of safety."

"Urthgar, tell me when we can move out."

Horace stopped his stroking for a moment, "I'd be most happy to Mr Ondoher but I don't have a suitable item to cut saplings. Perhaps you have a hobbit-sized axe I could use? I do want to be useful!" He continued to stroke Sally the Shrew's fur.

Elenugeth turned to the scantily dressed elf, kicked the dirt and blushed. "Well if it's not safe here m'lady, then travelling with us may be a safer option, you as well Master Hobbit." Looking around at the companions "In fact m'lady, one of our number has a gift from the dwarves for you, which I'm sure in time he would remember after the excitement. It might be best to present the gift before any more excitement occurs."

"While a number of us are unharmed, there are others who are hurt and this is not the time to press the advantage we have. Magos is looking more than a little peaky, and you don't need to be in an army long to recognise those looks from a healer." Elenugeth sighed, "We have neither the forces to split up and press those creatures in their home lair and look after the injured."

Elenugeth continued, "If we continue and press the attack, none of those hurt already are going to speed their recovery. They are best on home territory and hopefully we have scared them off for now. While I would love to pursue them there are others to think of. We either leave the area and hope that they won't pursue us out of this area, camp now and seek them tomorrow after our injured have rested. Or head out now. What do people
say?"

Urthgar turned gruffly to Elenugeth, and spat out, "Of course, how silly of me, I should have grovelled in the dirt and presented trinkets before caring to the ebbing life of comrades!! Life may be cheap to you, but it is not TO...ME...." The final two words were spat in Eleguneth's face, mere inches from his nose.

He wheeled on the Lady. "He speaks truth, here Lady is the gift from the Dwarves" He gently tossed over the package.

She caught it, opened the bag and peered inside. Her eyes widened and she nodded to herself.

"I agree with this one," He gestured to Elenugeth, "a lion's pride lands is no place to set up camp once you have killed one of the family. We should make efforts to move those injured to another place, the island is our best option I believe"

Elenugeth sagged visibly from the verbal attack. For the first time no grin, no smile, no spring in his step was seen. His shoulders sagged as his jaw muscles clenched, Elenugeth sniffed, blinked and looked away.

Looking back anyone could see the reddening of his eyes. Mumbling to the back of Urthgar's head low so only Urthgar could hear, Elenugeth turned and walked to the opposite side of the camp as Urthgar continued another 20 yards from anyone else and dropped to the ground, weapons to the side, pack dumped on the floor and pulled the helm off the back of his head then held it in both hands, examining it with pointed attention. Placing the helm to one side Elenugeth bowed his head and rested his chin on his chest one hand in his lap the other gripping the helm to his side and while no noise
came from him, the shaking of his shoulders clearly showed him sobbing.

Urthgar sighed, looked to the sky, the ground, and deep into the forest. He wandered over to the sobbing Elenugeth, digging into his clothing as if looking for something.

He handed something to the sitting form, and seemed to be in quiet discussion.

Ondoher chuckled ruefully at this exchange, however this was offset by the fact that he was visibly wincing at Urthgar's tone.

"Ok, that's enough you two," he chided gently.

"Two of those evil creatures are dead, Magos is I am sure going to recover just fine under Urthgar's care, and the rest of us are scratched and bruised."

"So really what is there to argue about that's of any importance?" Ondoher looked pointedly at both men, seemingly not expecting a response.

"Indeed when we have a little more time I believe a celebration is in order." Ondoher grinned then. He was a serious sort and the _expression didn't really fit his face, which made it even more amusing.

Horace looked shocked his excitement forgotten as he saw the argument unfold and the result.

"If I may," he piped up, "It's also not good to have discord amongst friends. If I were back in the Shire I would take us down to the 'Happy Gardner' and buy you all a pint! My dear old mum always said "Arguing is silly....'" He paused, "Mum didn't always have great quotes!"

Feral watched the argument in silence for a moment, a sly smile creeping across his bleeding face. Saying nothing he gazed towards the area of the forest where the beast's lair lay, a longing gaze across his face.

After a while he turned to the others, "come we should move to this Island soon."

Urthgar bent near Horace's little shrew, and held its gaze then he and Sally started squeaking.

"Oh you can talk to Sally too!" Horace interjected excitedly. "I mean I can sense her feelings we don't really talk. What's she saying, sir?"

"Please, it is difficult to speak shrew and common at once, give me a second!" The large Northman replied.

"Oh I do apologise sir, forgive me," for a second Horace face fell but then as if a switch was flicked he brightened again and looked very excited.

After a short while Urthgar finished conversing with Sally.

Ishtar took the necklace out of the bag and clasped it about her ivory neck. "I will help you all in anyway I can." Her face wore a troubled look, "My dreams have been fell recently. Dwarves fighting each other, a cruel and jealous presence both Dwarf and not. Then a shining pendant that chased away the evil." The wood elf fingered the amulet before tapping it softly, "One such as this!"

She looked wistfully at the forest about her, "I believe you must descend into a place of darkness and I must accompany you. For now my wood must take care of itself."

As no one had moved to cut saplings Urthgar announced that since Magos had no broken bones he could be loaded onto a pony and led to the said place of relative safety.

There was a pause and with unspoken words Magos was loaded onto the pony so that the group could cautiously make their way to the Island.

Ishtar made use of no boat so the 50 feet stretch of bitterly cold lake had to be swum across to reach the forested island. Ishtar and Ravorian were first across, followed by the stripped Feral and Ondoher who ferried their heavy armour across in pig skins and sealed Tarps. The others came across in pairs until Urthgar was last across with the ponies, talking gently to them as he held Magos' head above water.

Once on the island Ishtar led everyone to the centre where trees were packed close enough together to block out the chilling wind and stinging rain. As everyone redressed in the wooded haven Ishtar made available what herbs she possessed so that Urthgar was able to begin preparing them.

When everyone was suitably attired the animists used all means at their disposal to heal the unconscious Magos but had to admit defeat.

Ondoher removed the herbs from Magos' body, saying. "These will be useful in the days to come. I will see that Urthgar gets them."

He removed the armour from the elf. "This seems like a family heirloom, should we survive this I will see that it returns to your family."

He examined the bow, and liking the feel and balance of it had took that as well. "Likewise the bow. I will ask Rav to use it till this is over."

Ondoher left the elf all that would not be useful and enough for a dignified ceremony.

A little later Ondoher passed the herbs to Urthgar. The grey of his eyes seemed quite in keeping with the sombre mood of the company. The herb pouch was heavy, and doubtless would be of great use to the fighters.

"Magos had these herbs on him. They are of no more use to him and I am sure he would want us to use them. Our cause was his cause."

A little later he passed the magic bow to Rav.

"You could make good use of a better bow than you have. It belonged to Magos and doubtless his kin will want it returned, however until we can do so, use it to keep us alive." Ondoher passed the arrows as well.

A little later with everyone around Ondoher presented Magos' armour.

"This armour belongs to Magos, and now that he will die it belongs to his kin. However Magos was also a member of our fellowship and given that he would want it to succeed in its mission, if anyone can use his armour you should do so until such time as our mission is ended."

"If any wish to gainsay my decision in these matters do so now." Ondoher appeared mild in his manners and so did not give the impression that he would take criticism badly.

No one had disagreed with the redistributing of Magos’ possessions but as nobody needed use of his armour he was redressed in it and was borne up to a platform of interwoven branches high in the tallest tree.

Ishtar had laid her hand on the trunk and spoken softly to the ancient looking Elm. A shiver ran through the tree as the branches above the platform
parted to reveal the early afternoon sky above the prone Magos.

As Urthgar passed out various herbal remedies amongst the injured, two elven voices, Ishtar's and Merlothrien's, began to sing a mournful lament that drifted down from the platform. As if in respect the rain lessened so that once their song was over the patter of rain on the leaves above had stopped completely.

Ondoher knelt by the body of Magos the elf, in a quiet moment.

"Mandos waits for you in his hall. Doubtless he will have more time with you than I had. I would liked to have known you better, but fate would not have it. May you not tarry in his halls long."

Ondoher lifted the head of the dead elf and gently removed the arkhand necklace.

"None of us were ever going to keep these things. Perhaps it will assist another now."With that Ondoher placed the necklace around his neck,
a second necklace.

"Though I am deeply saddened by Magos’ passing, I feel we must not waste our time in mourning. He died fighting those creatures... and it seems they are in some way related to our quest. I believe our only option is to root them out, and destroy the evil at its source," Tieger said to the group, as he flexed his arm, pleased with the rapid healing that had occurred.

"I say we go to the hill." said Ondoher, exchanging a glance with Feral.

Feral smiled, "That friend is the only action to take. Vengeance on our fallen comrade, and a chance to find fame with our blades and our magics. I too say the hill."

Ondoher nodded at Feral's words, though he did not smile. Ondoher's attitude in contrast to Feral's seemed to be one borne of duty.

As she climbed down from the platform, Ishtar agreed, "I do not want these creatures to roam the woods anymore," She sprung to the ground, "I would rather take the fight to them than have them defile this Island with their presence."

Ondoher then turned to the newcomer.

"Master Hobbit, perhaps you could climb a tree and tell us what you can see of the surrounding lands."

Horace was looking at Magos and crying softly. For a few seconds after Ondoher talked to him he didn't respond then he reacted, "OH Yes Mr Ondoher, right...climb a tree, right...."

He looked around for the largest tree at the highest point on the island and began to climb Magos' tree. Horace climbed it with remarkable ease. Poking his head above the canopy he had taken a good look around.

The Arthedain soldier turned to look at Horace shimmying up the nearby tree and smiled, he even went so far as to wave at the little fellow.

"Now that our new arrival is out of hearing I need to talk to the rest of you about what we do with him."
Ondoher said this softly, assured by distance and woodland noises that the halfling would be none the wiser.

"He's not part of the covenant we took, nor do we know anything about him, apart from the fact that he brought three monstrous fiends down on top of us."

"However I have never heard of such a thing as an evil hobbit." He shrugged. "What do the rest of you think?"

Merlothrien was first to reply. “Ondoher, do you not think that if our halfling friend is to be travelling with us that Magos would have wanted him to be wearing his necklace? I just worry with what those things were back there sporting the same trinket, I wouldn't want to be wearing two of those amulets especially as we don't have any idea of what they are capable of, for all we know these amulets could have turned those dwarven kin into what we've just fought.

I also trust the little fellow, as you've said who has ever heard of an evil hobbit, it's just unheard of added to that the fact he may have more information seeing as he's come from where we're going to, I say if it helps and he wishes to wear it we give him Magos's amulet and see what happens, if he's pure of heart and willing to help us he'll be fine, if not he will be a pile of dust just like Tardka was so in essence we have nothing to lose.

As for my thoughts I would like to rid this island of the presence of these creatures, at least that we will hopefully be able to better understand what we have gotten ourselves into. First we will need to think about finding a place to set up a camp so Horace can tell us what he's doing here and how he got to be angering those beings ?”

Horace climbed down. He seemed happier than he was when he had climbed up. He almost gambolled over to the group of serious looking men and woman.

"Well I saw the forest and the mountains and the hill where the shadows came from." His face fell a little as he mentioned them. "It was as I remembered it, it's about a mile through the forest to the hill, two by the old dwarven road. The hill has two curious group of rock out croppings. Two larger lower down and about 2/3rds up two groups of three small ones, the cave, their cave is near the summit." He turned to Ondoher, “Thank you for giving me the idea of climbing, I love to climb, my old mum would always say, give Hori a tree to climb and you won't see him all day!"

Ondoher confined himself to a polite nod when Horace thanked him for his suggestion that he go climb a tree. It seemed he took no satisfaction in leading the little hobbit up the garden path.

Horace had forged on, "So what do we do now. The island seems beautiful and safe for now but I’m guessing by your serious faces you are considering going after the shadows that killed Magos? If you are I might be able to help with a way to get close to them unseen."

Tawl regarded the Hobbit "Go on then Horace, how can you get such a large party close to them and while we are at it why were they chasing you again?"

"Horace looked at Tawl and then back to Ondoher, "Do we have time to hear my tale?"

Then he looked back at Tawl and then the rest.

"I’ll make it short then. A few weeks ago I was in Trenogod looking for gainful employment, when I was contacted by one of the Merchant Companies. They thought my, ah, particular skills might be suited to a job they had for me. I’m not sure I can divulge the job as my employers hired me for my discretion. But suffice to say I was in these very mountains tracking my quarry. They had camped and I was approaching unseen when they were ambushed by those Shadow creatures. The fight was quick but not merciful. There were survivors, one of whom had the item I was to
recover....Oh well now I’ve let the shrew out of the bag! Anyway I followed them to the cave and was making my way closer when I was spotted. I ran for my life! Back through the Northman's, oh darn! Camp, stumbling through their fire, that’s why my clothes are a little singed. I kept running and running! Till I ran into you!"

"I am truly sorry I bought trouble down upon your heads and contributed to the death of Magos. I am not a bad hobbit, truly I implore you to believe me!"

The plate clad Dunadan Requain listened with interest while Horace regaled them with details of his shady recent history. His face remained curiously impassive throughout, almost as if he was sitting in judgement and wanted to remain impartial. When Horace had finished, Ondoher waited for a moment to let any other speak up but as no one was immediately forthcoming he offered his own take on matters.

“Well Master Hobbit, it seems you are less law abiding than other of your kind I have met. If this were my jurisdiction you would be having a long chat with myself, and several of my heavy-handed peers, as to exactly what you were up to, and who you were employed by.”

Ondoher relaxed a little. He rubbed his chin consideringly.

"However since plainly these are not my lands, nor are they ruled over by the King, may the One long preserve his rule, I will reserve judgement of your character and suspicious activities till such time as you have either proven your worth to us, or have betrayed us."

"Should you hold true, you will find no stronger friend than myself, even should it mean paying wergild to the Northman’s family. On the other hand, should you betray us I will pass judgement on your head, then execute you in accordance with the King’s law.”

Ondoher smiled. It was amazing how he could do that on the back of what he had just said. It seemed ice water flowed in Ondoher’s veins.

“Now Master Horace, you said you had a plan for getting us close to the monster’s or their cave unseen. As to that, well, I am all ears.”

Horace's face fell as Ondoher called into question his honor.

His voice was quiet and timorous, when he replied.

"Mr Ondoher, everyone. I assure you on the life of my dear mother, that my commission was nothing if not honorable! I am not in the habit of taking on illegal commissions. The Northman in question had stolen something from a party of Dwarven traders, it was my job to track them and get the item back. I did not lead the Shadows to the Northmen and my intervention on their behalf would have seen one dead halfling and they still would have
been dead and captured. I am no coward Mr Ondoher! But my mother also taught me to practical and one thing she drummed into me, 'was live to fight another day'! If you doubt my truthfulness and honesty I will return to the dwarves and leave your group forever. I do not want to do that because I like you all, even you Mr Feral! And I suspect you are on a quest of great staure and importance and I would like to help."

He paused, red faced and flustered then.

"I am sorry for my outburst but I value one thing above all else, my personal honor. Now I will pack my things and take my leave."

He turned to begin packing his small pack and get things together.

Feral glanced over at the small figure and laughed, a deep throated laugh, sinister and almost evil sounding. He looked at the others then back at the
hobbit his laugh subsiding to a chuckle,"I'm beginning to like you too master hobbit, your humour is unsurpassed amongst this group."

Tawl said “Hold there Hobbit, my colleague here may seem harsh, but his honour binds him to stringent laws. Wait a minute until the whole party decides”

"Yes, do wait till the entire party decides." said Ondoher, smiling a private smile and looking to the other members of the group with a 'well, I had to be sure' _expression on his face.

Strangely then, he began to remove a necklace from around his neck, more strangely still he appeared to be wearing two of them.

"This necklace belonged to Magos while he lived. It bound him to the rest of us in common cause. He died wearing it, as no doubt others here shall also die wearing theirs. Indeed perhaps none of us shall live to see it finished. The cause is that important, that urgent. I would not pass this chain onto another if I thought he did not merit it, or could not bear the responsibility that comes with it." Ondoher smiled again, his mind hard to read..

"Will you take Magos' place now within this fellowship?"

Ondoher was holding out the necklace ready to place it over the head of Horace should he accept. He must have remembered that particular _expression, that particular look from when the King knighted him, or perhaps it came to him as naturally as swinging that sword he
carried.

Merlothrien stepped towards Horace "You'll do no such thing master Hobbit you'll stay here with us for I will not let a living soul wilfully walk into their own demise without good reason and I do not consider paranoia of one man a good reason no matter how honourable he seems.”

Urthgar nodded in agreement "Stay with us little one"

Ishtar, restringing her bow, looked up, "I am not sure what vote I have in this company but I believe that this hobbit should be given the chance to see if he is worthy to take up his place amongst us."

Merlothrien continued, “Now then as I was saying, I would very much like to learn about these creatures we have encountered as they may have a strong connection to the adventure we are embarking on, and I for one do not like the idea of becoming one of them. So for the time being I'd like to find out as much as we can about them while we still have the suns rays upon us."

As Merlothrien spoke Ondoher glanced over at Feral his expression saying ' would you get a load of this guy?'. He then looked skywards, seemingly for strength, at Methlorien's intimation that he was paranoid. His eyes came down quickly though.

Feral returned the look, rolling his eyes whilst still chuckling at Horace, then he simply shrugged in the direction of the elf, the shrug was accompanied by a dismissive gesture. He turned, ignoring the rest of the conversation for the moment to gaze across the water back towards where the hill stood.

Ondoher looked back at the mage, "I would remind my 'seemingly honourable",

Ondoher bit down on the words lending them added emphasis,

"..companion from elven lands that the realm I call home has been fighting evil necromancy for hundreds of years. Neither my people nor myself have the luxury of trusting without question every secretive individual in the company of, or closely followed by, fiends. Most especially not when their answers to questions are evasive"

"As you will not, since you were present and could hardly have missed it, when pressed to do so, and no-one else seemed inclined to do this save myself, Master Horace cleared up unanswered questions 'seemingly', Ondoher paused.. "to the satisfaction of all".

The notion of seeming appeared to be Ondoher's word for the day, and appeared to constitute the kernel of his anger.

"I would also point out to you Merlothrien that an invitation to stay is one thing, stating that someone is not free to go without your leave quite another."

Ondoher's tone lightened as he added..

"Finally I would state for the record that hinting that the honour of knight of Arthedain is not completely unbesmirched is not something to be
undertaken lightly. I would advise those who undertake such an action to exercise care lest the offended party demand satisfaction."

Ondoher returned his attention to Master Horace.

Horace paused in his packing, watching the big people discuss him. His brow was furrowed but lightened considerably at Methlorien's defense. He stood as Ondoher offered the necklace and walked over bowing his head, awaiting the test.

Feral spoke up again, "I care little whether master Horace joins us or no, the longer we stay debating such things the more time our prey readies itself. My blades itch to face those beasts and spill their lifeblood upon middle earth. Enough talk now, the hobbit should join us, we should move onwards. Avenge Magos' death."

Urthgar looked into the face of Ondoher, and appeared to be satisfied with what he saw, he also looked into the hobbit’s face, and whilst slightly puzzled, did not seem angry or in any way negatively effected. "I vote to accept the hobbit, give him the necklace"

"As wounds seem to have healed to a satisfactory degree, I also vote to approach the hill, probably best done whilst we have light"

Ondoher, nodded at each vote in turn, even Ishtar's. Merlothrien's he appeared to take for granted. "By the power vested in me by my honour and my own self righteousness admittedly," Ondoher's face cracked almost into a smile. "..I do proclaim you to be a member of our fellowship and bestow on you all the privileges and responsibilities that go with it."

With that Ondoher placed the necklace over Horace's head, "I'll tell you what it does later."

Ondoher towering over the little hobbit, went down on one knee. Apparently to cure any sense of awe the hobbit may have had in that land of giants.

"Welcome." he said, and offered his hand to shake.

"As it happens I agree Feral, we should go to the hill. I think we are agreed on that. So let us do so."

Ondoher rose and gathered his weapons, readying himself to move.

"Horace you may detail your plan for us while we move."

Leaving Magos’ resting place, the group warily moved out. A light breeze turned into snarling wind as the Island’s cold lake was braved again. The dark storm clouds clustering over the nearby mountain range made the day seem later than it was. With a low rumble the rain began to pour down again.

Ishtar led them through the swaying forest by the quickest route she knew so that even though the party had moved slowly to remain more vigilant they had emerged on the other side right beside the hill without incident within 20 minutes.

The party lay under some thick sweet smelling bushes with hollow centres so that everyone had a near perfect hiding place to watch the hill which started to rise about 50 feet away. Due to Urthgar’s gentle words, the ponies had been silent on the short trek and were picketed in a small thicket 70 feet further back.

The pockmarked 160 foot high hill had many shallow depressions in it. At the foot of the hill were two large flat stones uneven at the end that jutted into the air at an almost vertical angle. They could have been sculptures of feet at one time but the harsh northern wind had since eroded anything definite to identify them as such. At two other parts, midway up the hill, jagged spears of rubble close to large round stones stabbed out to look like broken fingers on a buried hand.

Ondoher turned to say something but, as if the amulets themselves were the weight of the mountains, everyone was flattened onto the ground so quickly even the nimblest or strongest was unable to wriggle free in time. The taut mithril chains forcing their chins into the damp soil, the pendants buried in the earth. Although still held fast, the pressure eased as Khand’s voice urged from the ground beneath them, “Awake sentry.” A bass rumble from inside the hill greeted the crackling noise of the grass at it started to whither.

A statue began to emerge as a fierce gust of wind bore the dust under the ashy turf away in streams.

Eventually a stone monolith of a dwarf that seemed to be sitting with his back braced against the mountain was revealed. A small winding stair, which started from the side of the left foot, curled around the sitting dwarf to end in a walkway that bridged the head and mountain some 150 foot above. The dwarf‘s hands, turned upwards, rested on his bent knees. His bearded face, which bore a striking resemblance to Khand's, looked towards the peak of the mountain. It was plain to see the look of pain and sorrow he wore.

As the rumbling stopped, the amulets popped out of the ground to free their wearers.

Picking herself off the ground to squat at the edge of the bush, Ishtar silently brushed the soil from her chin with a thoughtful expression. Looking at the large statue she pondered aloud, "A sentry for who? What are these used for?"

She kept a watchful eye on the hill as she rested her bow across her thighs.

Picking himself up off the floor too, Merlothrien had studied the sentry.
"Hmmm how fascinating, I've heard of these sentries but have never actually seen one of them, They seem to be similar to Watchers used by Sauron to prevent access or exit from certain places. I've heard they normally raise some kind of alarm if breached by unauthorised passers by. Dunedain have been known to use them to seal access to areas."

I would also like to state that I'm also glad that you did take the right choice Ondoher and give the other amulet to Horace, I meant not to offend your sensibilities and your beliefs I was merely stating an opinion, if it did indeed cause offence then I apologise for it here and now and hope you can forgive me. but I would also like to express relief at you giving the amulet to Horace merely from the "your own safety" point of view, as I said earlier we have no idea what these things are really capable of or indeed who they're in contact with and who knows what two of those amulets would have done to you if you had been wearing them.....
My suggestion is that we proceed with caution and would anyone think it would be bad If I attached this amulet somewhere a bit less incapacitating should it decide to go drilling again?"

Feral rose to a crouch, the sound of metal scraping sheathes could be heard as he drew his two Falchions.

"Impressive," he muttered looking at the stairs, the statue and the changes around him. "Think the scout should head forwards slowly using cover. Any other archers should cover him. We can then advance slowly forwards. Beware though, the noise of that piece of magic will have awoken even the most sleepy of creatures."

Feral turned, watching the stairway intently looking for signs of movement.

Horace pulled himself to his feet, slowly. "Well my plan involved us moving up under cover along the ridge until we reached the summit near the cave. It would seem our path as been chosen for us. Mr Ondoher? Do we take the stairs, now?"

Ondoher considered what had happened. He held his amulet in his hand and considered it, seemingly unhappy with being half strangled by the thing.

"Well, it seems that our shadow dwarven friends came from an old dwarven hold. I do not know how the amulets we wear performed the trick of revealing this entrance into the hills, but I think that it will not be guarded. Nevertheless we should be cautious."

"I will move to see if the coast is clear. Feral it seems is going with me. If some of you could ready your bows in case it is a trap I think that would be a good idea."

Elenugeth moved up from the rear of the party. " It does indeed seem as if the way forward is clear. To be guarded as such is surely a clear indication that this is certainly the way forward. What worries me though is that what ever happened back there affected our medallions not us. Why would it seek to prevent those who wear these from passing, surely I would expect the opposite to be true. We were disabled, if we were not wearing the medallions we would have been fine. I do not want to imagine what would happen if we has been ambushed at that point. I wish we could speak to the dwarf again and ask about this, he is obviously watching us." Elenugeth pulled out his medallion and stared into it. "Can you hear me Master Dwarf, some answers would be nice"

No answer came.

"As for scouting in advance, I will join you, if it is an ambush one going alone isn't a good idea". Elenugeth grinned characteristically again, "so while you lot wait here I'm going to stretch my legs"

Ondoher nodded at the elf seemingly happy enough with the elf's words, then turned to the matter at hand..

"It seems to me that the amulets we bear only work in darkness or in the earth, and that is where they had to go in order to open the path ahead. That they were around our necks at the time does not appear to be something their makers took into consideration when creating them."

"The fact that only those equipped with amulets could open this passage and reveal these stairs leads me to believe that we have a greater chance of achieving surprise than were we to approach more directly."

"I suggest we make full use of that likely opportunity while it exists."

Ondoher nodded to Elenugeth.. "..let's go."

Horace watched as the taller people debated and then piped up in a reedy voice, "Mr Ondoher, I think I should go first, I have a way of staying hidden and I'm much quieter than you...um..armored warriors of legend!" he seemed to be about to say something else but caught himself in time, "And I have been up there before and know the way."

As he looked up the staircase, "Well it didn't look like this before but I believe I can go ahead and report back in order that we are not surprised!"

He finished with a flourish but then ruined it with his final comment, "At least if you understand what I was trying to say, that is, um...."

Tawl drew his sword and looked warily at the ascending staircase "I think I'll guard from the rear as we ascend, like last time as the order worked well........well almost!" He then stepped back and to one side to let the others pass by, watching the surroundings carefully.

Covered by bows, Horace and Elenugeth made a quick, but silent, dash for the statue. The hobbit took up a position by one foot and the elf at the other. They remained still, listening and watching with their own bows at the ready.

After a few moments Elenugeth nodded at Ondoher as Horace began to climb the narrow stone steps.

When the scout joined the burglar, Ondoher jogged across just as silently but a little slower. It seemed he knew how to dull the sound of platemail.

The Dunadan watched them ascend until the steps wound around the back of the monolith taking them from his sight. He followed after them.

Feral was next to break from the wood, clinking a bit as he swaggered across straight to the stairs but the noise was quickly carried away by the cold wind.

Urthgar looked wary of the stairs, they led into the earth and reminded him of a tomb.

Gruffly he mumbled "Why must these short ones hide from the light?"

Not too sure who was to go next Merly, Ishtar, Urthgar, Karl and Rav all emerged from their hiding place. All ran across with little sound.

Urthgar started to head along the stair, staying near the bulk of the party as before - he was nervous, and kept Karl close to him.

Finally Tieger and Tawl bounded across, both not making a single jingle. Tawl at the rear, they began their trudge up the Dwarf's leg.

On the trek up, occasionally the party would stop as either Horace or Elenugeth would call a halt to listen intently before waving them on again.

Despite their best efforts both Feral and Ondoher found the dwarven steps hard going, their large armoured feet too long for each narrow step. They were forced to climb up sideways with the wind buffeting them as they struggled onwards. They were glad of the long halt as Elenugeth and Horace reached the top and scouted ahead.

After what seemed like an age to the rain pelted members of the company still outside Horace reappeared at the summit and waved them up.

(GM: Sorry, but the MM roll was a fumble!) Ondoher, maybe underestimating how treacherous the stone was, toppled sideways as one of his feet slid out from underneath him. He almost regained his balance but was slammed by a gust of wind throwing him from the walkway, 160 foot above the rocks below.

Feral with a cry rushed up the remaining stairs, himself falling over at the top and sliding out along the walkway. He looked down to see the Dunadan hanging by one rapidly slipping hand. The Corsair threw out his own hand and grabbed the other warrior's gauntlet. The veins in Feral's head and neck bulged as he applied all the strength he could muster. Ondoher winced as the metal around the glove began to distort in the vice like grip. Elenugeth hastily joined the Corsair to grab Ondoher's other grasping hand while Horace kept an eye on the cave entrance in the mountain, knowing his strength would be of little use. Grunting, Feral moved his other hand down the Dunadan's arm, trying to lift him up. (GM: Heh, and now conversely an open ended roll!) Amazingly, the plate clad man began to rise. Urthgar was next up, having negotiated the catwalk with ease, the muscled Beorning quickly bent down and took hold of Ondoher under the arms. Working together the four were able to drag him back onto the walkway, all of them on their backs gasping for breath when Ondoher was safe.

Merlothrien looked past them to the markings etched into the slab they were laying upon. He remarked that they were Khuzdul(GM: Secret Dwarven language) but was unable to read it.

Anxious to get out of the wet and cold the party carefully made their way across the runed pathway and into the rock shelter.

The roughly circular cavern was over 60ft in diameter. It smelt dank, with a faint whiff of urine. The remains of a several day old camp fire were beside the entrance. The dark parts of the cave melted away as the amulet's strange vision returned to their wearer. There looked to be no exits from the room.

As Tieger entered, he nodded to himself then pointed to the back wall indicating the search should begin there.

The rock wall looked as it should with no tell tale cracks to indicate a hidden door. Deciding to risk it, the party began to tap the wall to see if that would uncover anything. Indeed it did, Horace yelped as his hand disappeared into a wall. Merlothrien assured the hobbit that it was only an illusion.

Horace poked his head through the wall and a strange thing happened. A vision of what Horace could see hovered in the corner of everyone's eye. If they concentrated this vision could replace their own but could be dispelled back to the corner or away entirely. It could be summoned again if the pendant wearer concentrated on Horace. Concentrating on others brought up their sight.

Horace could see a 50 odd foot, well constructed, low passageway that led in a straight line to another room. The far side of the unlit room was beyond the Arkhand's gifted sight but a blood stained slab could just be made out.

The necklaces briefly flared before their hue changed to a darker blue. Thin black veins now ran through the amulet.

"That's much better, I have diverted his gaze for now." Declared Khand's voice in each of their heads. "It seems the longer you wear the Arkhand gems the more it reveals and the stronger it becomes. My apologies for your rough treatment outside. The Arkhand recognised the sentry and wished to attune it to our purpose. As Lord Ondoher surmised, for that to happen the necklaces had to be out of light and underground. The only gift that will work above ground is to mask its true weight. It witheld that ability."

"Now, Elenugeth, I may talk with you. You asked why would the Arkhand seek to prevent those who wear the necklaces from passing the sentry? Your expectations were on the mark. For now, none of the Underlord's minions may pass the sentry but you may go freely. However, his power is increasing so that will not always be the case." He paused for a moment, "Maybe there are other questions?"

Ondoher looked around the chamber. He didn't move, but instead cocked his head as if listening to hear what sounds there might be in such a place. As the moments passed he appeared fascinated as he seemingly stared at the halfling.

"Sounds do strange things in such places." He murmured to Feral, "...but nothing so strange as looking through the eyes of a halfling. The ground is so close to his head!"

Feral felt uncomfortable. It felt a little claustrophobic and stale. The vision through the halfling's eyes was strange, the amulets showing more of their power.

Feral nodded at the Dunedain, "I am glad I am not so small, the ground looked uncomfortably close as you said. If it has advantages I cannot figure them out."

"I have no questions. I suggest we build ourselves a base camp here. Take only what we need for the journey, prepare ourselves then continue onwards."
Feral glanced at Ondoher as he said this.

Ondoher who had been musing on the question set him, responded.

"The advantage would come if you lose something under the couch perhaps." He shrugged then addressed his thoughts to the matter at hand.

"There's nothing to say we will come back this way. These dwarven holds are warrens I am told. On the other hand, a lot of this stuff would only slow us down, and this is no place for ponies."

Turning to the Merlothrien, he whispered.

"Master Wizard, do you possess sorcery to see what lies ahead before we run into it?"

Merlothrien shook his head.

Horace pulled his head back and then paused, his face going slack for a second and then he spoke in a loud clear voice.

"Yes Master Khand, I swear on my dear old mother's life that I will not tell a soul about what I will see here!"

Then he looked around just in time to hear the comments about his height, "Well Mr Ondoher and Mr Feral my mother bought me up to be a kind and gentle hobbit so I will not reply to your aspersions on my height. If I were a less respectable person I might refer to tall people who clump about, hit their heads on hobbit door lintels and almost fall to their deaths on treacherous ledges...."

Then he caught himself and was very contrite, "Oh I am sorry Mr Ondoher, I did not mean to insult you or make light of your experience, please accept my humblest apologies...."

Ondoher grinned good humouredly and shrugged blithely, apparently amused by the answer.

"Your references were all factual, so no offence taken." Water off a duck's back.

It seemed Ondoher liked witty insulting repartee when in a dangerous place. He turned to Feral next to him and murmured.

"Hobbits", he paused and then added with comic timing...

"No sense of humour."

Then Horace heard Khand's second mental conversation, "Yes Mr Khand, I have a question. Are those shadows which we faced, dwarves that have been corrupted by this imprisoned force? And are we likely to face more of them?"

Khand replied a few moments later, "The Arkhand has no recollection of these creatures. It is unable to determine their origin or number for the Underlord draws a veil over his subjects. If we meet more the Arkhand will try to gather what information it can. Wait. A vision. I can see through the eyes of someone. Before this person is a slain dwarf, no, many, many, dead dwarves, some twisted and misshapen. This person is studying one of them who have a black crystal shield and hammer about his person. They are dissolving and trickling away into the ground. The vision has gone."

Horace addressed the party, "While we reorganise ourselves, should I scout a little ahead and see what we might be facing, I can move quietly and, uh, remain 'unseen' and you can see for yourselves what may lie ahead. I promise I won't get into any more trouble..."

Elenugeth spoke "We nearly lost one of our party to misfortune, I'm not sure if things are so treacherous that we need to tie ourselves together yet but we need to be more careful in future.

Well master Khand, things get stranger and stranger, firstly what you're saying is that the medallions we are carrying weigh much more than we feel and that the Arkhand can control this at its own whim?" The half elf struck off one finger on his hand. "The weight drew all of us to our knees, and although for some this was a shorter journey than for others, none of us could resist. How heavy are these items in reality?
Do we have any hope of carrying them or even bracing ourselves to resist if this happens again?"

Elenugeth tapped a second finger. "Next, you mentioned you have diverted his gaze, how does he spy us? The amulets now show signs of darkening, and as you warned us before, when it turns black he will have regained full power. If we can see each other, and you can, and have seen others, if this is linked to him somehow, does he spy on us using these? Are we all traitors in our own midst? Is it wise for us to continue using them and although our experiences give more information, at what cost?

Thirdly, in your vision you see many slain dwarves; do you know if this is past or present, do the items you saw mean anything to you?"

Khand replied, "The true weight of the Gem would make it immovable as the mountains themselves. The Arkhand only allows those it trusts to bear it.

The Underlord is in this mountain. Though his presence is merely a nuisance here and easily fooled it is worrying to me. If he was sealed in a tomb then powerful wards would have been placed about him. His presence should not be able to pass those.
Something is wrong with them and we no longer possess the knowledge to recreate wards as potent.

Though he is linked in someway to the Arkhand he is unable to use it or detect it. Should he regain his full power then I am unsure of what will happen but what I do know is that if you do not wear these necklaces I cannot protect you.

As for my vision, I am unable to tell if it is past or present. I have, however, been in contact with my scholar who will use this new information in the old library. I will let you know if he discovers anything."

The half elf turned to the hobbit, "Master Horace, it seems as if Khand has extracted from you some similar oath regarding the meaning of our journey, is this the case?"

"Yes Mr Elenugeth, Mr Khand had me swear an oath which I have done. I think I am truly one of the party now and perhaps you can trust me now!"

"As have I." Said Ishtar.

Tawl saw Horace stick his head into the illusion and like the others he saw a glimpse of what the hobbit could see. He felt a little uncomfortable at the weird sensation and shuddered slightly.

He started to feel a vibration from the pocket that he put the gem from the slain creatures earlier before. " err...folks we might have a problem here!" and he slowly drew the vibrating dark gem from his pocket, "can the magic users here take a look at this gem I took from one of the slain creatures as it's acting odd now and vibrating since we came in here?" Tawl held the gem out for all to see in his hand.

Elenugeth turned to Tawl with a brief smile. "I was wondering when you would share that gem with us, although I would have hoped you would have revealed it to us under less dire circumstances." Elenugeth backed away slightly from Tawl. "I think it may be wise to put that far away from us quickly in case something was to happen. If nothing does we can retrieve it and examine it. If it blows up in your hand in the mean time, do not say I did not warn you."

Ondoher considered the matter of the jewel for a moment.

"I haven't seen it, but could it be a black version of the stones we wear? If so then, these necklaces could be very dangerous."

Ondoher shrugged, his manner oblivious of danger, though his weapons were ready, and his eyes scanned the darkness restlessly.

"Elenugeth, we might want to take them off before they turn completely black. Personally I have a long way to fall if the medallion takes on its true weight."

Ondoher glanced at Feral, "...though not as far as some, and more than others. I hate being average."

His demeanour stiffened once more, becoming more serious and businesslike.

"More to the point, we appear to be on a time limit. So perhaps we should be moving along momentarily?"

Ishtar walked to the cave entrance and looked out at the walkway. Her mind window revealed the Khuzdul writing but it was now understandable. Apparently the gem granted understanding of the hidden dwarven language.

The inscription on the walkway read, "Here is the garrison of Outer Belegost, keepers of the Underlord's remains and watchers lest he return." Then in smaller
script it said "If you know our kind then you will have no trouble to gain entry for our number is your salvation. Know thee not of our kind; come no further as death awaits you."

Khand was suddenly aware of the other gem, "The Underlord's presence is within that stone! He seeks but he cannot see for he is still too weak!"

Tawl looked at the vibrating gem and considered Elenugeth's words. He quickly ran to the edge of the staircase and threw the gem over the edge, where Ondoher nearly tumbled to his doom. Tawl crouched by the edge and listened to see what happened to the gem, if anything.

The gem fell to the ground, 160' beneath the walkway, and lay there.

Turning to the party Tawl muttered "well Dark lord or not he'll not use that to spy on us!"

Elenugeth looked out the cave entrance and the long, long way down to where the gem lay. "Well if nothing else happens," Elenugeth turned to look at Tawl, "I vote Horace goes get it".

Horace pulled his head out from the wall and walked over to look down, "I think it looks just fine where it lays Mr Elenugeth but if you truly want it back?"

Merlothrien looked down, "You'll do no such thing Master hobbit, you stay there and let me see what I can do with this!" He gestured towards the fallen gem.

The mage closed his eyes and he began to speak arcane words.

Horace turned away from the walkway and while moving through the cave said, "As I have heard no one say naught to my suggestion to scout forward I will go. I will go in a few hundred feet and see where the land lies. Don't worry my Mum didn't raise a hero, as I said."

With that he walked through the 'wall'

His mind window popped up, he paused for a moment until his vision changed. The smooth white stone corridor became less distinct and the visible parts of Horace's body seemed to glow.

The corridor moved on for 50'. Moving slowly, checking for traps and listening, Horace crept down the dusty corridor. The tracks on the floor were plentiful.

When he got to the entrance of the large 60' x 30' room, he stopped to look at something. In one corner stood a chain mail wearing dwarf. He was staring at a wall, pondering.

"I know it's here," said the dwarf in a frustrated mutter, "but where exactly I can't tell." The dwarf was staring at the wall ahead of him, but couldn't quite find what he was looking for. "I will find it," he continued with determination, "And I will find you my brother!"

The room was lined with perfectly fitting white stone slabs. In the centre of the room was a 10' square of white stone, raised 3' off the ground. It was heavily stained in both new and old blood. A trail of blood led from the stone table to the wall where the Dwarf was standing.

Ondoher whispered to Feral, "Take the rear, if there's trouble work your way to the front. Let's see if we can watch quietly without being noticed."

With that Ondoher too walked through the wall, keeping to the right wall and out of the dwarf's line of sight. He sidled silently down to where Horace was standing.

Although according to Horace's mind window he should have been standing just at the entrance to the room, he was nowhere to be seen.

Feral nodded, and after two or three seconds plunged into the wall as well.

He then attempted to quietly mimic Ondoher's movements and silence as he too cautiously advanced towards the dwarf, waiting further back in the passageway.

Outside, Merlothrien had stopped his spell preparations but shook his head.

From the walkway, Tawl watched some of the party slip through the illusionary wall and shuddered slightly. He noticed Merlothrien looking to where the gem was thrown and heard him say he will try to get the gem back with magic. "Merlothrien I think that gem may endanger this party and also provide a means for the Underlord to spy on us, if what some of the others suggest is true. However you are more familiar with magic, so if you persist in trying to retrieve it, then I will remain here with you in case you get attacked while casting your spell.' So saying Tawl drew his sword and stood a little back from the top of the staircase so he could observe the chamber and the top of the stairs.

Merlothrien, deep in thought, stepped back inside the cavern.

Inside, Feral was just not cut out for stealth. His metal shod feet sounded like he'd tap danced his way down the corridor.

The Dwarf froze for a moment, his hand moved slowly down to his weapon though his back was still turned.

Hearing Feral's advance, Horace silently drew his short sword and moved quietly behind the dwarf watching like a hawk should he make any move.

"Silly, silly Big people!" he thought, "Can't wait for a hobbit to do his job before they tramp in, in their big loud hob-nailed boots!"

Horace's thoughts came across into everyone's heads unless they concentrated on blocking them. When Horace moved into the room Ondoher could still not
see him.

Elenugeth hurriedly followed the hobbit as soon as he saw others heading in, as soon as he was aware of the dwarf he pushed and dodged his way to the front.

CLANK, CLANK, CLANK came the sound of footsteps approaching. "Nobody sneaks up on a dwarf," The Khazad said in a proud whisper. Did he just hear a faint giggle or was his noisy enemy speaking his dark language down the corridor? He reached for a throwing axe and listened again. The noisy footsteps were drawing nearer, and a deep rage was building within his heart. "Another foul creature meets its doom!" he said in a low growl.

The dwarf wheeled about to get in position to throw his axe as soon as his enemy was in range. "What treachery is this!" cried the dwarf in surprise, noticing two tall figures with blades drawn in the passageway. The dwarf instinctively began to rear back his axe to let fly at his attackers.

Bursting in between and through the two figures came a half-elf, Elenugeth.

The dwarf withheld releasing his axe as best he could. His muscular arm strained as a taut rubber band.

Open handed and with weapons slung Elenugeth approached the dwarf but kept a respectful distance.

"Horace!" Elenugeth hissed, "Get back here"

"Hail master dwarf. Elenugeth at your service" Which that Elenugeth bowed, "fear not my overly cautious companions." He turned to the others. "Now, now, put those weapons away, there is no need for this."

The dwarf relaxed his arm and lowered his axe slightly, for these were not the same creatures he had encountered before. Taking a moment to observe his opponents he noticed that they were of various races, even a few of the queer elf folk were present or at least some that resembled them. More importantly he was heavily outnumbered. If they were willing to speak peacefully he would be wise to do so. The dwarf lowered his axe completely, "I am Hammrin Nerdsplitter, son of Krushbone Nerdsplitter. I fear neither man nor beast. Let all who would face my wrath do so now while I am in the mood," he said with as much anger and boldness that he could muster in order to sound impressive. Then softer he said, "Else put our weapons down and see why fate has brought us together, for ill or for good."

Turning to look at the blood on the floor Elenugeth looked back up at the dwarf. "Not yours I hope?"

"Aye, you could say that it is and you could say that it isn't," replied Hammrin. "A bit of my blood has mixed with blood that has been here ere' I came" continued the dwarf, "and I know not whence it came or how long it has been here though I doubt it is a good tiding to see so much of it"

Noticing light wounds to the Dwarf's neck and face, Elenugeth asked Hammrin, "Can we offer some healing if so, we have two very fine healers in our party."

As Elenugeth looked at the dwarf and awaited his answer, he could see the hardness of the dwarf's face turn soft and friendly. The dwarf was pleasantly surprised at this turn of events. Though he knew he could be quite a handful for this group in battle, it appeared they were not his enemy at least. "Aye, I would gladly accept your kind offer, but take no offence if I refuse until I know who you are and why you have come here," said the dwarf.

Horace watched the discussion avidly from his 'hidden' location, returning his sword to his scabbard he turned and looked at the ashes he noticed.

Two tall men, obviously Dunedain, one big the other huge, one deathly silent the other as noisy as a steel drum parade, stood in the entrance to the room, behind the one who called himself Elenugeth. Both were impressively armed and heavily armoured.

The smaller and infinitely quieter of the two sheathed his drawn sword, glanced back at the huge man in obvious exasperation, before answering Hammrin.

"We have come here at the behest of dwarves to fight a great evil. As to who we are, well we are all dwarf friends, though we have already lost one of our number to twisted black gem dwarf spirits that do not bleed."

"I have to say I am glad you seem friendly, for my lumbering friend here, Feral, sneaks like a herd of maddened monstrous mumakil."

The source of Ondoher's exasperation became clear at that point.

"I take it you are looking for a hidden passageway of some sort?"

Hammrin bowed as the Dunadan spoke to him. A large smile broke forth as he observed the huge metal clad warrior. A hearty laugh emerged as he compared the huge man to a mumakil in his mind. `Not too far off,' he thought to himself, `but don't be too hard on him. You all might as well have been banging drums, after all you can't really expect to sneak up on a dwarf when he is underground, where his senses are highly attuned to his surroundings,' he mused to himself as he walked closer to the group, oblivious to the hidden hobbit.

"Ahhhh, Dwarf friends!" he exclaimed with excitement. "Glad tidings indeed and very welcome! Though you speak of dark tidings which may be hard to hear, I am encouraged by your presence nonetheless," said the dwarf, his excited smile fading. "There is a shadow over my heart already, and I wonder why fate brings us together, even if for different reasons. Perhaps our destinies are intertwined after all," he pondered.

"As for my injuries, I would indeed be in your debt for your aid and I gladly accept any that you offer," said Hammrin. "I know not what you speak of concerning dwarf spirits, though I can hardly image them evil. But I do know of a foul horned creature that had very bad manners. I left him over there," said the dwarf with a grimace as he pointed to a pile of ashes. Hammrin walked over to the pile of ashes with a blank stare as if recalling his encounter with the nasty beast. "I followed the strange tracks to this cave; saw this blood which seemed to lead towards the wall where you found me searching. I could sense that my brother had been this way because a throbbing sensation had entered my mind ever since I stepped foot into this cave. There had to be an opening in the wall somewhere. Then I heard a clicking sound as if a hound with long nails was running on marble down the corridor. It was a faint sound, but we dwarves have highly attuned senses. The dark beast with horns all over that I mentioned to you pounced on me with bloodthirsty claws and salivating fangs. It was a desperate struggle, but he was no match for Cuddly," said Hammrin as he unconsciously grabbed his Mithril tipped morning star. "With one mighty stroke he burst into ash, and I knew that this creature was tied to the fate of my brother, or so I deem. That was about an hour ago I suppose, and I was on the verge of finding a way through this wall," said the dwarf trying to sound convincing as he points to the wrong wall, "When I was suddenly aware of you fine folk."

Hammrin snapped out of his recollected trance and smiled once again as he recalled hearing his new found friends coming down the corridor. Then looking at the blood in the centre of the room and in a seeming trail towards the wall he was searching he said, "As for this blood we see, I would guess that it comes from those who are the unfortunate enemies of these foul creatures. Though I do not know why, perhaps even my brother? I must pass beyond here and seek for him. May Aule guide me and bring swift destruction upon my enemies."

Khand's voice came into everyone's head except Hammrin (who did not wear a necklace), "Well so fate sends the brother of Oxen our way. Hmm. Let me converse with the Arkhand."

Seeing that the situation was peaceful, and more importantly that his presence would not upset an ambush by his fellows, Tieger proceeded into the room, holding his halberd loosely at his side "Greetings dwarf, my name is Tieger."

"Well met friend, Hammrin Nerdsplitter at your service" said Hammrin eyeing the man's interesting armour and very large weapon. "Now THAT is a weapon to be proud of," he said recollecting all of the weapons he had forged, but none quite like that. "I'd like to have been there when they made that!"

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd just like to take a look at this blood..." said Tieger.

"Very well friend," says Hammrin as he watched Tieger walk over to
the bloody platform, staring at his mighty weapon for a few more moments.

Horace stepped around from behind the stone, where apparently he was hiding in the shadows.

"Hello Mr Hammrin, well met! I am here Mr Ondoher, I was doing the job I was hired for, well I wasn't hired but anyway, I was doing my job and well until well noise had me discovered. No offence to you Mr Feral but what if our Dwarven friend here had been one of those minion things, then we would have had to fight unprepared. I told you I would scout ahead...." He trailed off but visibly sighed. It seemed they had all been just told off, hobbit and Horace style.

He walked over to the wall, "I've been thinking, which those who know me back in Bywater would say is highly unusual and difficult for me but I've been thinking perhaps the key to open the stairs which lie behind here is the fact that the number of Dwarven kings or clans is seven, is it not Mr Hammrin?" He looked most 'professorial' at the moment. "I have had many dealings with dwarves and talked long with many of them and they're fond of talking once they've had a few ales, especially about themselves and their history."

"Aye, there are indeed 7 Kings," replied Hammrin reverently with an affirmative nod. I will take you up on that offer of ale," he said with a smile, "should we get the chance."

Ishtar's voice, who was still in the cavern, came across into everyone's head and to within earshot of those outside, "Shouldn't we be looking for a way through noble friends? Also Khand, I have a question, as this dwarf wears no necklace is he protected in the manner we are? Can you tell if the Underlord is aware of his presence?" She stood as far from the Dwarf as possible.

Horace walked over to the wall where the blood trail led. He began to examine the wall mumbling to himself all the while..."Where is it, come on now, show yourself...."

Khand replied to Ishtar's earlier questions, "I cannot protect this Dwarf for he is not tied to the Arkhand. I cannot shield him either so if the Underlord is looking here then he will know the Dwarf is here too. I cannot tell if he is aware of Hammrin's presence. When Tawl tossed the gem away the Underlord's presence significantly lessened. I will talk with the Arkhand about trusting this Dwarf; his brother was Oxensplat who I sent to investigate this area and a close friend."

"I've had a bit of a thought along those lines myself and I have an idea," Merlothrien said, looking as if a halogen light bulb has just lit up above his head

He stepped back outside, looking back over the edge where the gem had fallen. He looked about a bit and looked over to the stairs leading down towards the bottom.

He called into the cave, "Hmm, I'm not going to be able to reach that from here I'm just going to take a trip down those stairs in the hope that I can get a bit closer to that gem"

Merlothrien began moving down the stairs.

Noticing everyone seemed to be distracted or listening to something at the moment Hammrin decided not to indulge his desire to tell a long-winded tale about himself and his kin. His thoughts wandered to his brother Oxensplat and where he might be.

Merlothrien was down about 60'. As he nimbly descended, he swapped the gem over to his wrist. When he was less than 100' away by his estimate he stopped, pointed at the gem and began chanting arcane words. After a moment he opened out his fingers then closed them as if grasping an invisible object.

The dark gem lifted and sailed through the air until it hovered in front of him. The elf threw a cloth over it then grabbed it out of the air.

Tawl watched Merlothrien float the dark gem to himself in awe and not a little suspicion.

Merlothrien moved back inside once again. He asked Urthgar for the Arkhand. Urthgar hesitated for a moment but after agreement from Khand passed the bag over.

Taking it out of the bag he held the dark blue Arkhand in one hand with the dark gem in the other.

Nothing happened.

Khand's voice came through, "It must touch your skin for you to do that. I will aid you as best I can as it solves a problem we have but it will be dangerous. I cannot put all my will into it as I still need to divert his gaze should he look this way. No one must interrupt you once it begins. Are you sure about this Merlothrien?"

In answer the mage put the Arkhand down, unwrapped the dark gem, and then held both at the same time while closing his eyes. A jolt went through his body causing him to gasp. The Arkhand flared blue and began to darken in hue. The dark stone lightened in hue as the Elf's hand holding it began to blacken and swell.

A light blue nimbus surged up Merlothrien's arm at the same rate as his other arm blackened. The fingers on his disfigured hand began to lengthen as spikes pushed out through his skin. The two forces met in the middle of his body, one side serene, the other a turmoil of spikes and bubbling black skin. His eyes sprang open to reveal a glowing blue eye and the other a dull milky white.

Casting his gaze all around checking for any trouble, Tawl's gaze returned to Merlothrien as he suddenly developed spines like the creatures recently battled. Tawl advanced towards Merlothrien as the transfiguration of his arm to dark spines progressed and raised his sword for a deadly blow.

While Merlothrien silently screamed, the two forces ebbed back and forth, the blue glow healing as it covered the black but the black corrupting the flesh when it was in the ascendancy. With a grunt, the Silvan regained his composure so that the Arkhand moved all the way across, chasing the deformities back into the now dark blue gem. The light, a darker shade than when it first left the Arkhand, moved back through his body to enter the Dwarven artefact once again. It, too, turned a deeper blue.

As Tawl prepared to slay Merlothrien he oddly paused and watched the blue gem appear to battle with the dark gem for possession of the elf's body and soul? The blue gem seemed to swiftly dominate the elf and Tawl relaxed his stance, but not all the way, despite lowering his sword. "Be careful elf, for you may be tainted and I will not hesitate to kill you if I think you have changed allegiance." Tawl said in a level matter of fact voice to Merlothrien as he recovered.

Khand's voice seemed far away, "It is now attuned and cleansed of His presence. He will know that it no longer answers him but does not know why or where it happened. Hammrin can use this in the same manner as yours but it will need to in contact with his skin as must all of yours as you get clo-" His voice winks out for a moment, "Do not call upon me for a while. I must rest."

Deep within the mountain a rumble was heard which went on for a few seconds.

Hammrin's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the deep rumbling within the mountain and knew he could not waste any time. The halfling must have read his thoughts as he joined Horace in searching the blood trail and the wall where it led.

Merlothrien dropped to his knees coughing wildly, within a few moments he had composed himself and putting his hands on his knees raised his head.

"There" he said sounding exhausted "I thought that might do the trick, I wasn't quite expecting THAT though" he said, his breath still not quite as normal as it had seemed earlier.

"I think we have a gift for our new companion, and thank you for your assistance Khand you were most.....helpful"

Merlothrien rose to his feet and went to join the others.

Ishtar, happy that Merlothrien seemed unharmed, nodded at the elf, flashing a relieved smile at him, then followed him to the room with the blood stained slab and the dwarf in it.

As Tawl, who had followed Merlothrien, gave a curt nod to Hammrin, Merlothrien smiled at the dwarf then nodded his head in acceptance.

"Hammrin, my name is Merlothrien."

Hammrin bowed as Merlothrien introduced himself. In his best Sindarin he replied, "I am honoured to meet you and call you friend," He was trying to show the elf respect. But it came out horribly wrong, "I am honoured to beat you and call you fiend." Realizing he made a boo boo, Hammrin quickly corrected himself and glanced about to see how many people heard his blunder.

Merlothrien continued, "If you are to be joining us in our fellowship I insist you wear this and attach it to your skin by whatever means necessary, may I recommend you do not hang it round your neck though" the emphasis, put on the final line, showed that Merlothrien was extremely serious about that piece of advice.

"Why you may ask, well we have all got one of these and they have been given All be it your one indirectly to us by Khand, these are to protect us from scrying eyes of the underworld, if you are to join us you are to wear it, I believe I can attune it to you with a bit of concentration"

"Ahhhhh, a beautiful gem! Yes, yes of course I will wear it!" exclaimed Hammrin eyeing the gem with both eyes wide. "I am truly honoured, you are too kind," he said, sticking to Westron.

Interrupting Merlothrien as he offered the tainted gem to the dwarf Tawl said "hold there elf, explain to the others what I observed with the 2 gems and how you were nearly transformed into the enemy, if indeed you remain loyal." Glaring at Merlothrien, Tawl continued in an even voice 'and take care how you answer my friend as I will surely slay you here and now if you fail to tell the truth", so saying Tawl once again levelled his sword ready to attack.

"Tawl" replied Merlothrien, "May I suggest you stay your blade as you will not be needing it now and I'll explain." he said in his chirpy matter-of-fact tone although his face read that his thoughts were far from matter-of-fact, more in the realm of "oh shit!"

"As you know I'm a studier of the arcane, to do this has taken me many a year and a LOT of studying, like a scout has a curious mind for their surroundings a warrior for their enemy's weakness I have some would call it a rather unhealthy inquisitive mind when it comes to matters that involve a more shall we say mystical element, which I'm sure one day will get me killed if I'm not careful but to this day I still live and breathe!

As to the explanation, It was merely adding a number of factors up, number one Khand has insisted that we all wear one of these" he said pointing to the gem on his wrist, knowing what Khand has done in the past by reputation of course these words I've taken very seriously as should you, and knowing what they seem to do which appears to block us from the view of Khand's enemy then I merely assumed that if we were to take Hammrin along with us then as much for our own safety as his own as there are forces that want to stop us getting to our goal it seems there was only one thing to be done which was to try and get him one of these gems as well.

Khand being who he is was able to split the Arkhand into the trinkets we wear today, not knowing how do to that myself as I assume the Arkhand is attuned to Khand in some fashion and therefore I wouldn't have been able to do that, so I chose the next best option which was to try and make one and the only thing that we could have done that with you threw down the pit, once I had this and the Arkhand with Khand's assistance I did what could only be described as channelled the power of the Arkhand into the gem you now see attached to Hammrin, with the power of the Arkhand with me it was merely a matter of time before the darkness was banished from me and from the gem itself, although as I said I wasn't expecting all of THAT to happen but rest assured I feel no ill and we have a fully fashioned companion now who will be of no harm to himself or us. So as I said if you would kindly stay your blade I would appreciate it as neither Hammrin or I will be a threat to you this day, even more so now I have just gone through that experience for the good of this fellowship, or at least from the being spied on perspective."

Merlothrien looked at Tawl in a "there, does that satisfy you?" fashion, although inside his feeling of "what if he's right what if something has lingered" was slightly a worrying one although he didn't let it show in any way shape or form but the feeling soon passed as he was sure the Arkhand had destroyed the darkness in the gem and in himself?..

Merlothrien saw Tawl relax and lower his blade.

Gliding towards the dwarf Ishtar stopped directly in front of him, "Greetings Hammrin, son of Krushbone Nerdsplitter. I am Ishtar of the woods, recently joined with these noble people and now bound in common purpose." She bowed, Welcome!"

Looking at the new gem about to be given to the Dwarf, Ishtar urged caution, "Before you bind that to you, I would recommend you leave the gaze of the Underlord. If he doth spy you would he not wonder how you can disappear from his sight like an elusive hobbit?" She looked inquisitively at Horace, raising an eyebrow, and then regarded the Dwarf again, "Perhaps outside?"

Hammrin bowed as the beautiful elf lady greeted him. He stared into her mesmerizing two-toned eyes, and feeling the need to impress her spoke in his best Sindarin, "A pleasure to eat you milady!" Befuzzled again! His dwarf tongue just didn't seem to be able to handle the eloquent elven language. His face went beet red as he corrected himself very quickly, "I mean, a pleasure to meet you milady." Ashamed and staring at the floor he said, "You are very wise milady and if you suggest I wait to wear this gem until I step outside, then that is what I will do." Getting his composure back he asked, "May I be so bold as to have you accompany me and take a look at these wounds on my thick skull?"

Ishtar smiled warmly at the dwarf, "Though Urthgar is more skilled than I in the healing arts your wounds are within my ability to heal by herbal remedy. Lead on
Master Wordsmith," She laughed lightly, following the dwarf outside.

Merlothrien, Ishtar and Hammrin went back to the walkway. The latter examining the bloody platform on his way outside.

Merly knelt down as if to attach the gem in a strange place on his body and Hammrin quickly held out his hand, "Here, here, on the wrist will work for now," he said with an uncomfortable look. Merly looked as if he had done something that was taken the wrong way. Snickers could be heard in the background.

Merly placed his hand upon the gem and chanted a few words, the gem briefly glowed brighter than usual and then calmed back down to the same blue hue of the rest of the gems.

The deed done, all four rejoined the others inside the white slab stone room.

Merlothrien passed the Arkhand back to Urthgar in its cloth and said "right then, what next....."

The words barely out of his mouth, Horace indicated that he had found something though only those with especially sharp eyes could see the faint Khuzdul markings, a slightly different shade to the white stone rock they were embossed on. Nine markings were discernable. Each rune represented a single digit.

"Um can anyone read Dwarvish runes?" asked Horace looking pointedly at the Dwarf.

The question couldn't have come at a better time thought Hammrin. "Do halflings love Pipeweed?" chuckled Hammrin. "Of course I can read them," he said confidently as he examined the runes with Horace, eyes squinted and searching not only for the runes but for anything else he might find.

He said the runes represent single digits. The numbers one through to nine were present.

Merlothrien recalled Horace's earlier question, "Right then, did someone say we needed a door opening?
"9 dwarven runes you say, hmmm these look familiar" Merlothrien looked closer to the runes, "hmm this is most odd" he said looking confused, "These runes I recognise as Dwarfish due to their style and design, but for some reason I can actually understand them as well, it seems to me that our gems have more power than I've given them credit for. How fascinating!"

Ishtar turned her attention back on the Harfoot, "Caution Master Winebride! The inscription said death awaits those who do not know the ways of the Naugrim. Is it wise for all us to be present in the mountain while you seek entry to the garrison?"
She gave Ondoher a questioning look.

Ondoher nodded. "Ishtar's advice strikes me as containing much wisdom. The traps of the Khuzdul are both subtle and deadly."

Ondoher made a show of looking at the ceiling and the floor beneath his feet.

"I'll be outside if I'm needed."

Ondoher headed out of the chamber. He stalked 'quietly' to the entrance and knelt there, flush to the wall enjoying the cover of the doorway.

He placed a small metal mirror angled on a pebble on the ground before him just outside the threshold. The only possible use for such a mirror would be to warn him of attack from above, say from someone coming down the cliff wall above him.

That done he laid his shield at his feet and brought his bow to hand. Nocking an arrow Ondoher becomes very still, doubtless so as not to advertise his position by eye catching movement while he keeps watch.

Remembering about Hammrin's request for healing, Ishtar pulled from her herb pouch two brown berries with green speckles on them, "These are Mirenna, you will like them, and they grow high up on the mountains in this area." She dropped them gently into the dwarf's gauntleted hand, "So instead of eating me, eat those!" She laughed gaily, the evil situation forgotten for the moment.

Ondoher, nestled into the cover of the door, directed a quizzical expression towards all the noise coming from the white room for the whole world to hear. The directed gaze was momentary before his eyes returned to scanning the world outside for danger.

"Not really stealthy types are you?" he said through the mind link, the words intended for the noise makers

There was humour in his words, even if they were edged with sarcasm.

Ishtar's smile faltered as she heard the Dunadan's words. She nodded in way of apology at the edain, "Of course, you are right." However, she risked a wink at the Dwarf before entering the cave waiting to see if access can be found through the secret door.

Horace watched the others retreat to the end of the corridor. He was familiar with this reaction but he still sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

He made a careful, careful inspection around the wall, floor and ceiling for any cunning Dwarvish traps. Horace could see nothing of import. Elenugeth was there too, he could see nothing out of the ordinary either.

Horace then reached up and pushed the rune which stood for the number seven. With the other hand covering his groin area, unconsciously and he stood half turned as if trying to avoid wind blown debris.

Hammrin cleared his throat to hide a deep grunt like giggle as Ishtar
winked at him. Then began walking on his tippy toes as he passed
Ondoher. He let out a low "Ho, Ho, Ho!" type laugh and said, "You
see, we dwarves can be very quiet! You probably wont even hear us
coming back," he said with a smile. Then halted as he noticed Ishtar
looking back at Horace who seemed to be acting very strangely with one hand on his crotch and the other reaching as high as he could up the wall.

Nothing happened for a second. Then silently and very smoothly the two slabs in front of him parted to reveal another passageway that led onwards.

This corridor was white blue veined marble, it was 10' wide and ran level for 20' where it took a sharp 90 degree left turn.

The slabs that had swung open were now flush with the sides, fitting perfectly into niches and, if not for their colour, would have been indistinguishable from the walls. The dwarven craftsmanship here was exquisite, even by their high standards.

Suddenly, Urthgar shot a glance at Karl just as his heckles rose. The dog began growling at the ashes of the minion.

Khand's voice, barely a whisper, spoke, "The Underlord is here, a gem must be in those remains and I do not have the strength to turn him away when he is so close. Forge on, forge on!"

With a quick glance to each other Horace and Elenugeth crept to the corner, checking for traps as they went. If not for the Arkhand's enhanced vision they would be in pitch-blackness, even then they had to really concentrate to see ahead.

Poking their heads around the corner the same passage led steeply downwards in a straight line beyond the range of their sight, some 150 odd feet. However, its ceiling began to dip so that it was only 7' high. The floor now had ridged grooves in it that aided purchase on the smooth marble. The blood trail became less distinct the further it went into the murk.

The party hurried through the secret door and having no choice had to follow the scouts. It wasn't until they were 300 feet into the tunnel that Khand was able to advise everyone the danger was over for now. Everyone halted, now able to let the scouts do their work. As they waited the silence closed in all around them. Here, the air was stale and felt like it was pushing in on them. The only sounds was Karl's panting and the hearts in their chest.

Risking to go further down Elenugeth and Horace edged forward another 150 feet but still the passageway descended. They stopped again. At least here the air felt a little less oppressive. Heartened, they continued on until, more than 300' from the other party members the tunnel started to get shallower and the incline less steep. After a further descent of 50 feet the corridor widened out into a 30' wide chamber with a balcony that ran out 5' over the edge of a sheer chasm.
A magnificent white marble arch bridge crossed the abyss. At its other end it widened out into another chamber that had a similar passage leading off into the impenetrable gloom.

Etched into the marble in the near side chamber where Elenugeth and Horace crouched was a dwarven proverb written in Khuzdul,

"All that shines is not Mithril!"

The scouts listened again. Somewhere far out in the darkness a rhythmic metallic noise clinked.

Urthgar fussed around with the main bulk of the party, ill at home underground, and with essence magic around - something otherworldly and not-right about it all.

He kept half an eye on the intrepid explorers up ahead, in case of any sudden action, but was content to wait for instruction from those more at home here.

Feral crouched at the entranceway and looked around the chamber. Whilst the dwarf was not paying attention he would take in as much as possible.

Elenugeth crouched watching the dwarf for some time.

"Read the signs!" shouted Hammrin to Elenugeth via mind chat. "You may be venturing forth into unstable ground, although I'd have to take a closer look," he continued. "Cracks and fissures and broken marble, this cavern is going to come down upon us," thought Hammrin.

"Eww, look away, naked dwarf" came over the mind link, and although none could see Elenugeth's face, somehow they knew at that point he was grinning. More seriously Elenugeth continued. "Well it must be safe, there is no way such machinery would be able to work in an unstable environment"

"Brother?" thought Hammrin as the dwarf appeared in Elenugeth's mind window. "It looks like it could be him! Aule be praised! He has the same build and hair color! Although he may have lost some weight, we can mend that." Anger filled Hammrin’s heart as he thought how this dwarf, perhaps his brother, had been treated and made into a slave. "Vengeance is mine!" he thought. "May Aule guide my feet and my cuddly star to rest upon the head of my enemy!" he said in anger.
Hammrin was desperate to know if this lonely dwarf was indeed his lost brother. "Someone," he thought pitifully, "I must see the dwarf's face!"

Horace moved slowly up to the room observing what was what. Then with a smile he entered the room, "Um hello Mr Dwarf, nice outfit! Would you care to lower us down your shaft?"

The Dwarf made no reply and kept cranking the chain onto the huge drum.

Elenugeth continued to observe the dwarf before realising that Horace had moved up to him, Elenugeth turned to say something as the halfling continued into the room but instead remained silent as he passed.

Hammrin did not quite understand this little halfling but he eagerly looked through Horace's mind window to see if this dwarf was Oxensplat Nerdsplitter, his brother.

As Horace began to introduce himself to the naked dwarf they heard over the mind link. "Well do not wait for an invite the rest of you, it seems safe enough to come forward although I'd suggest not looking down, the first step is a long one" Again they got the impression Elenugeth was grinning.

"Use the ropes as a guide, the route seemed firm enough"

Elenugeth slipped from the shadows to crouch defensively behind the halfling. "Uncommonly brave of you Mr Horace" whispered the half-elf, "Thought your mum didn’t bring up any heroes." Elenugeth silently chuckled. "Do not worry, I have your back, go find out if this is indeed the dwarf's brother but be careful I didn’t see any chains holding him here."

Horace edged around the side of the room so that he could confirm the identity of the dwarf.

The Dwarf's slack face was revealed along with a gaping hole where the heart would have been. His cloudy eyes stared, unfocusing, ahead as he worked the handle.

Hammrin gasped and choked wide eyed as Horace's mental image of the heartless pulley cranking dwarf slave revealed his brother's face.
His hands tightened around the safety rope and his face nearly matched his red hair. This dwarf was about to blow a gasket. Veins popped out on his neck and his hair rose like a frightened cat. He wanted to race across the invisible bridge, abandoning all reason to see with his own eyes what had become of his brother. But at the moment, all he could do was try to breathe as he slunk to his knees.

After a moment of catching his breath, Hammrin looked at the others in disbelief. "I wondered what had become of my brother," he said, "but I could never had imagined this! Death would have been bearable, and most of us expected it. But even in death he is forced into slavery by some dark power. What madness is this?" Hammrin said shaking his head.

If the heartless cranker had been any other dwarf he would not have acted any different, but since it was his brother, his emotions were magnified many times. Appearing to get a grip on his anger Hammrin arose with new resolve and a clear understanding of what he must do. "This has now become my focus, to destroy the power behind my brother’s death and slavery, and to any that aid this power I consider my enemy. Till death take me will I do this," he said solemnly.

Hammrin made it known to the party that he was ready to be moving along. He needed to spill some blood to ease his wrath. Someone is going to pay dearly he thought.

"If you think it safe friend Elenugeth, I wonder what my enslaved brother is pulling up. Hopefully nothing too nasty until we get there, I certainly don’t want to miss out. Maybe our hovering companion can take a peek if you think the area is unstable around the hole."

Speaking to the scouts Hammrin also wondered if there appeared to be other exits to the chamber besides the hole in the center.

Merlothrien moved forward to the room with the others treading very carefully over the "bridge" holding onto the rope for dear life.

Once he got to the room seeing Hammrin's face and realising the situation he offered his condolences and said "Yes, yes, I too wouldn't mind seeing what’s coming up too"

Rav wondered if he should follow on or wait there as no visions of an onward route had been shown, and finally decided to follow across the platforms and hide somewhere the other side to keep a watch from behind

Urthgar shrugged his big shoulders, and carefully picked his way forward, keeping a hand on Karl all the way. When he reached the other side, he sagged noticeably from the effort of will the crossing required! "Well my comrades, what is so important that....." His voice was cut off as he saw the Dwarf with his own eyes, and Hammrin's reaction. Urthgar peered at the Dwarf pulling the chain, studying him for signs of ailment that he may have
been able to assist with but realised he was beyond help.

"Horace, stop!" Elenugeth mentally implored the halfling. Quickly the Half-elf notched an arrow and drew back centering on the dwarf. "I am
not an expert but I’m thinking no heart is not good. The dead should not be walking about. If you want to try and communicate then be my guest but I’ll cover you till then but don’t get too close or get between the dwarf and me. If you want me to be able to cover you safely"

"Hammrin, this may have once been your brother but we cannot trust him now, if he attacks I’ll try and make it quick but arrows against the
undead....."

Watching the interaction Feral looked around then just loud enough mumbled "I am sorry Hammrin, but in time I hope ye realise this is for the best."

With that he strode forward, crossed the bridge and before anyone could stop him lopped off the dead dwarf’s head with a swift double scimitar strike.

Tawl ventured to the edge of the bridge and proceeded across using the ropes as a guide. His face reflected his effort of will in restraining himself from looking down, as he stared straight ahead his mouth formed a grim straight line.

Once at the other side Tawl stepped forward into the room with the naked dwarf, without a single glance behind him.

He stopped just inside the entrance of the room to see Feral lop the dwarfs' head off. Tawl regarded Feral with a certain amount of admiration, for the single stroke was very clean and nodded to Feral. He then turned and waited to see what reaction Hammrin had while keeping a wary eye on the corpse of the naked dwarf in case it somehow stirred again.

Horace seemed to be about to continue conversation with the brother of Hammrin, when Feral pushed past and loped its head off.

"No!" Shouted Horace, but it was too late and the deed was done.

"Mister Feral, I think that maybe that was an ill advised if not admirable."

Horace seemed to wilt physically as he waited for the outcome of Feral's action

Feral's deadly stroke caused the dwarf to fall to the ground. The pulley handle started to spin out of control and with a high pitched whirr punctuated by rattles the drum began to be stripped of chain. A rapidly diminishing hiss from beneath the hole was just made out by those in the pulley room.

The dwarf then rose to its feet again, blindly grasped for the handle, stopped it then started to winch the chain back in again.

Hammrin stared blindly ahead as he watched Feral behead his brother’s body. Somehow the mentally and emotionally combustible dwarf did not explode with a fit of fury "Aye, I thank thee for ending the misery of his body." said Hammrin sadly. "His spirit is already absent, now present in the glory of our Creator. I no longer hold to his body, but to his spirit which lives forever."

Watching wide-eyed through Feral's mind window Hammrin saw his beheaded brother rise and start working the pulley once more. A smile crossed his face amid the tragedy. "I knew he was stubborn, but this is ridiculous," laughed Hammrin. "Have I told you we dwarves are a hardy folk! Very tough and hard to kill. Yes indeed!" he said proudly.

Ondoher grimaced as the desecration of the dead dwarf came to his mind's eye. His gaze strayed upwards...

"Aule, look what they do..."

Still distracted it took him several a moment to correctly assess the implications of Feral's words.

"Eorl's balls!!" he exclaimed, by now well aware that Feral solved all problems in the same manner. "Someone kick him in the backside it might wake up his brain."

Quickly he unbuckled his weapons belt, looping it loosely around the rope. "If I fall carrying so much weight I'll bring the roof down when I hit bottom," he said by way of explanation.

Secured to the rope he slid along the rope and across to the other side.

After everyone had safely crossed the invisible bridge, Hammrin recoiled his rope and joined them in the pulley chamber. On his way over he asked Horace if there were any other exits to the room. Perhaps he might need to climb up on the opposite end of the room a bit as the room appears to have shifted.

Sensing the movement from Feral the half-elf quickly jerked the bow away from the dwarf and relaxed his pull."This isn’t wise," shouted Elenugeth.

Watching the dwarf rise to his feet again Elenugeth shivered then glanced to the rapidly descending chain. "I have a bad feeling about this Feral, don’t kill hi..errr..chop him to little bits just stop him for now, Urthgar get that chain and stop it. Till we know what’s going on we don’t want it up or down "

"Khand," Once again the voice of the young half elf filled their minds "If ever you are paying attention to us, now would be the time to say something about what were seeing here".

A voice appeared in their heads but it seemed so far away that it could not be heard. A few seconds passed and it was gone.

Then with a sudden start the half elf sprung into life. Sprinting in a low crouch, one hand outstretched before him, the other bent behind
him holding his bow clear from the floor, the lithe form quickly crossed the intervening floor to the hole, each step finding a clear bit of floor as he crossed the uneven floor. Just as they thought he was about to go over the edge Elenugeth came to a stop barely at the edge of the hole some distance from Feral and the undead dwarf. Elenugeth looked down into the hole trying to see what was making the noise from below.

Elenugeth's mind popped up for those who wished to view it. His elven gem enhanced vision followed the chain into the darkness until it ended in a metal meshed cradle 150' from the cracked marble floor.

Inside the rapidly ascending cradle are two minions looking upwards. One of them was holding a red glass dagger.

Both hissed as they saw the half-elf poke his head over the hole.

Seeing the vision of the minions rising, Urthgar followed Elenugeth's suggestion. He growled deeply, like a bear, and charged headlong into the headless dwarf, sending him reeling away. He grabbed the spinning chain, and held on for dear life, whilst Karl stood firm between him and the undead dwarf, ready to tear him to shreds if he threatened his big friend.

The Dwarf had almost tumbled down the hole but had bounced over it at the last moment. He lay still.

Elenugeth's and Feral's mind window showed the minion holding the glassy dagger touch it to his chest.

Back in the cradle room the Dwarf arose again groping wildly for the cradle handle. Karl growled menacingly at the oncoming undead Naugrim.

As Urthgar grabbed the handle to stop the platform raising Feral glanced downwards, assessing the distance between him and the platform, the size of the platform and the threat posed by the beings on the platform. He guessed they were 150’ down and not much of a threat at that point.

Seeing the undead dwarf rise again Tawl drew his sword and ran closer to the pit. Glancing down and seeing the minions rising Tawl prepared to battle. Tawl then took up position on the opposite side of the pit from Urthgar and stood ready.

Ishtar looked through Elenugeth's mind window. Seeing that the minions were rising towards the room she quickly moved to the room to be ready.

She started to mumble to herself as she prepared some kind of incantation.

Ondoher, looking very much the grim soldier preparing to kill, moved into position near the hole.

"I wonder if we've completely lost the benefit of surprise now." remarked Ondoher, directing his query towards Feral, the ingenuous look on his face quite in keeping with the dry sarcasm of his voice. "Don't bring them all the way up, make them work to get out of the hole."

Urthgar, his huge arms straining against the weight of the chain, bucket, and its contents, glances over to Ondoher with a wry sarcastic smile
"I will do my best...."

Rav followed on and waited back a bit from the others not sure if stopping these things in the hole was best or getting them to the top to kill them

The second minion not holding the dagger closed its eyes for a moment then shot its clawed hand out as they popped back open. A crackle accompanied a blue white light as a bolt sizzled out of its palm and fizzed up towards Elenugeth at such a pace that the half-elf was lucky enough to just move his face out of the way. Even so, one side of his head was fully charged with static, his hair standing on end.

Fragments of rocks showered the room as the bolt greeted its impact on the ceiling with a large boom, the concussion blast knocking the decapitated dwarf to the floor and stunning everyone else. Even as they recovered a ringing noise throbbed in their ears.

The minion gave an angry hiss at Elenugeth and closed its eyes again.

Merlothrien looked over to the undead rising yet again and said, "Would someone please disembowel this thing?” He looked over to Hammrin. “I hope you realise I mean no disrespect but that’s not your brother there, so it can't get up again while I concentrate on his friends below" He stepped towards the hole.

“Urthgar can you bring that cradle up to about the 80 feet mark please? I'd like to try something," said Merlothrien “and while we're at it anyone with a bow to hand might want to come here also. I think we can resolve this with as little harm to ourselves as possible you know.”

Urthgar recognised his comrade’s intent, and strained to pull the container to within "strike range" whilst trying to stay out of the way of any stray static pulses!!

Elenugeth rolled to the side and shook his head, as quickly as he could the young half elf pulled himself together. The half elf quickly drew an arrow and looked over the edge cautiously before pulling and releasing the string, the arrow arced down to the creature before who just previously had cast at him and the rest of the party.

"Reel ‘em in, just a bit closer, come on" Elenugeth was muttering to himself quietly. The same words over and over again could be barely heard.

As the first arrow left the bow, the half elf’s arm reached up in a fluid well practised motion for a second arrow all the while continuing to remain weary of the casters spells.

Tawl, hearing the suggestion for archers to attack and keep the dwarfs on the platform busy, sheathed his sword and quickly prepared his bow.

Urthgar had begun hoisting the cradle up the 70’ so that it would be only 80’ below. Elenugeth, Tawl and the minions swapped a few arrows and the deafening bolts as it rose. Tawl’s first arrow missed the dagger-wielding minion. It closed it eyes and returned a bolt, which impacted on the floor beneath his feet. He had to step sideways as part of the floor broke away and fell down the shaft. Elenugeth’s first arrow tore a bit of the dry pasty flesh away from the other minion’s shoulder, its returned bolt hitting the roof of the pulley room and stunning the occupants for a few seconds.

Feral, realising he couldn’t jump down the hole amidst his foes redirected his attention to the headless dwarf. Changing his position he manoeuvred himself to put the dwarf between him and the shaft. Then with a grunt he lowered his shoulder and charged the dwarf attempting to push it down onto the enemies below. The Dwarf tried to resist but it could not match the Corsair’s strength. Slowly it gave ground and moved closer to the hole.

Elenugeth second arrow flew down the shaft and struck a minion’s shoulder again though this time the snap of bone was heard. Its bolt flew awry, striking the floor underneath the metal drum. Large cracks appeared all around the mechanism but the floor held.

Merlothrien, spell prepared, and the cage now in range, had to poke his head slightly over the edge to send his firewall down upon the cradle. It engulfed the whole cradle in a sheet of flame.

Screaming a hiss the other minion discharged a bolt straight at the magician but just at that moment Feral succeed in shoving Ox down the hole. The dead dwarf took it straight in the chest sending it hurtling back up through the hole to land on the pulley room floor again. He got to his feet, ribcage blasted apart and spinal column intact but smoking, and shuffled towards the crank again. Feral swore loudly then bounded over to Ox to try and finish the job.

Both Minions sprang from the cradle to land 20’ up the chain. The force of their jump caused the A frame to groan loudly, buckle slightly and the floor around it sagged. The cradle began to swing like a pendulum.

Elenugeth closed his eyes for a second then took careful aim at the minion holding on with one hand, it’s other arm flailing limply. His bow twanged
sending the arrow spinning through the air. The shaft struck the bone in its good arm shattering the arrow and limb. A surprised hiss escaped its lips as it fell away from the chain and slowly somersaulted down into the darkness.

Tawl’s arrow scored the side of the remaining minion’s face, narrowly missing its eye. That was enough to distract it as its bolt struck the underside of the room’s floor again.

A crunching tearing noise started around the drum mounting as cracks appeared all around the heavy object. Hammrin cried a needless warning as everyone sprinted quickly from the room.

The drum was first to go. It crashed through the floor dragging the chain through the middle of the room’s cracked bottom like a length of wire through cheese. The weight of the chained coiled around the drum pulled the A frame over and through. A mournful hiss descended with the machinery. Parts of the roof came down in the turmoil smashing holes as they fell. Above the din could be heard the metal parts of the pulley system crash off the walls of the shaft. It took nearly a minute before the faint noises stopped.

The carnage over, the room could be surveyed again. The sides of the room were still intact though looked unstable in some parts. The middle of the room was gone except for one sliver of wedge shaped rock. At its point, leg trapped beneath a boulder, was Ox dangling but grasping at the air as if trying to follow the crank down the shaft.

The harsh cacophony of the fall seemed to Ondoher like a funeral bell marking the failure of their expedition..

"Wonderful!" he said, his tone not what one could call optimistic. Nevertheless there was a rueful somewhat strained grin on his face, as he waved away the dust rising from the wreckage of the chamber.

"Someone tell me that wasn't the only way down."

After the dust had settled, Hammrin surveyed what was left of the chamber. Nodding his head and making an affirmative grunt as if to say, `I told you so' he noticed the chamber was still very unstable. "I suggest we find some solid ground, I don't want to be here when this hole starts to fill up with more rubble," said Hammrin in a low voice; afraid his mere words would bring down the roof.

Horace slipped back into the room, "Nothing like ringing the doorbell when you’re going to rob the place!" He walked over to the right wall and looked at the fissure that he had spotted earlier. He looked around and saw Ondoher, "Mr Ondoher could you give me a turnbuckle boost, up there?" he pointed to the ceiling. "It maybe a back way in...."

Ondoher nodded at Horace's words and fell to one knee cupping his hands before him for a platform. "The creatures are dead, strangely despite this they have more than achieved their goal."

He grinned and added, "Get your balance first Master Hobbit, we wouldn't want you falling to your death from my shoulders."

Ondoher winked, the suggestion of a grin playing around the grim lines of his face. His greying hair made him look older, the wink and the half grin doing a great deal to allay that impression.

Rav said, “I really, really hope we don’t need to go down there now, the lift would have made it so much easier, oh well at least none of us was hurt.”

Feral swore under his breath as he turned to watch the room vanish.

When Horace made the suggestion of the crevice he simply nodded then turned his attention to his blades, cleaning them on a rag. He wasn’t going anywhere until an option was presented to him that didn’t involve a very long drop to his death.

Horace stuck his head up into one of the fissures at the far right end of the room. His mind window winked up for those wishing to see it.

There was an opening in the ceiling. The opening was about 10' up and ran for about 2' being 1' wide at its widest point. The rocks all about it were cracked and didn't look too stable. With Ondoher's help he was able to poke his head through.

This must have been the missing part of the cradle room. A circular room much like where the party were in had the remains of one of the dwarven wards in its centre. The ward looked to have been sheered. The other part of the ward should have been where the original hole in the cradle room was. On the far side of the newly discovered room was a 10' wide and 7' passageway that led on and down into the darkness.

Balanced carefully on Ondoher's broad shoulders, Horace reached into his blouse and pulled out the small bundle of fur, the others had come to know her as Sally. Whispering quietly in its little pink ear he placed the shrew carefully in the fissure and then turned to the rest. "Sally will look for a way in. Without the cradle, it looks to Mrs Winebride's son that this other chamber offers the only way into this mountain. Hopefully Sally can find a way big enough for those of us who aren't hobbit sized! Mr Ondoher are you okay with me staying here a while longer?" The rodent scurried forward into the chamber beyond.

Ondoher exhibiting his usual Dunadan stoicism replied, his voice strangely gentle, the voice of a courtier, or perhaps a physician.

"A while longer? Yes, Master Horace, as long as you need."

Hammrin’s spirit lifted when looking through Horace's mind window he saw a corridor leading down and away. Seeing the remains of the dwarven ward and reading everyone's thoughts who permitted him, he now understood that there was an ancient evil which was once bottled up, but now free. As he pondered this information he doubted that there would be another way down into the pit before them, as the ward was probably placed on the only entrance. The question he asked himself was not if there was another way down, but if there was any need to go down.

"Friends," said Hammrin, "this chamber has shifted while I believe the chamber Sally is heading to has not. I'd suggest we get in there for our own safety."

Hammrin watched his brother dangle and grasp at the air across the chamber as if trying to follow the crank down the shaft. Shaking his head in disapproval he thought, `Stay off the crank my brother, it just leads to a deep dark shaft of despair.' Somehow a headless, mindless, gutless zombie dwarf hooked on crank seemed about right.

The little Shrew returned soon and Horace looked intently at her and then carefully picked her up and placed her in his blouse, "You did well Sally-girl now sleep..."

He looked down at Ondoher, "You can let me down now Mr Ondoher." After regaining his feet on the floor he addressed the rest of the party. "The only way though is that fissure, which is even too small for my svelte frame to fit. Mr Nerdsplitter perhaps you can find a way or I volunteer to be lowered into the shaft where perhaps another way forward can be found? Yes I know Mr Elenugeth, I said my Mum never raised me a hero but
this is not heroic, this is a job for a facilitator and that’s me. Whether I am scared or not." and he stood feet apart hands on hips.

Hammrin grunted in frustration at Horace's words. "Too narrow to climb through you say?" murmured Hammrin. "If there is no other fissure we could climb through then perhaps we could widen the one you sent Sally through. Look, the rocks around it are already cracked and about to fall," he said pointing to the fissure.

Hammrin's uneasiness about treading on unstable ground was readily apparent. "I'd hate to see you climb down and have either the roof or floor fall on top of you," he said. "Grab on to my rope here if you need to search around a bit more, I’ll anchor it to something solid." Hammrin offered his safety rope to anyone who might want to walk on the unstable floor in search of another exit.

Horace slipped out of his pack, he knelt on the floor and rummaged around inside for a few seconds, "Ah there it is!" He pulled out a very small climbing pick. Reorganising his pack he donned it again. Then looking at Hammrin he said, "Alright Mister Nerdsplitter, tell me were to hit this rock, in order to open us a hole. Just please make sure Mother Winebride won't be grieving for her son, after I am done!"

“If I may be so bold there will be no grieving this hour Master Hobbit!“ Merlothrien said “I have another idea, if you could just stand back a moment”
Merlothrien looked to where Horace had put sally only moments earlier and started to concentrate on the area.

Within moments, after a few words from the arcane language that people had heard him use before, there was a shifting in the rock and more cracks started to appear but this time they seemed to stop a certain distance and fill an area. The rock looked significantly weakened.

“Hmmm I think that should do it, Hammrin how do you hold to your namesake sir? I think that will need a bit of work but not half as much as it did previously, if someone will be so kind as to get to work on this, I’m going to see if it’s possible to get down another way at all while you have a look at this”

The room offered no obvious exits as Merly treaded about carefully. When he examined the hole nearest to the damaged ward he spotted twin parallel lines of piton sized holes running down the rock face. They extended past the range of his augmented vision.

Suddenly the section of floor Merly was standing on crumbled away into the hole and Merly tumbled down into the darkness.

Horace leapt with grace and speed to the edge of the hole, spreading himself flat on the unstable floor, throwing his right hand with the climbing pick out he dug it deep into the strongest rock he could find. He peered over the edge and yelled, "Mr Merly, Mr Merly, answer me!" He whirled around to look at the others, "Mr Ondoher, Feral, Elenugeth, Nerdsplitter, anyone, help me!"

A gasp escaped Feral’s mouth as he watched the Elf and floor fall downwards. But there was little he could do to stop it. He hoped the mage could pull something out of the hat before the hat, the elf and the ground came to an abrupt, and messy meeting.

Hammrin watched Merly suddenly drop as the section of floor gave out. He braced himself as he stood holding his safety rope, waiting for it to tighten and bear the weight of the fallen wizard. But the rope never tightened. Hammrin rolled his eyes and sighed as he noticed his rope laying limp on the
floor.

As Merly fell he could hear Hammrin's words trail after him down the pit, "It works better if you hang ooooooooooon!"

Hammrin stared out across the pit as if in a trance. "This is a sad day indeed," mumbled Hammrin, "First my brother, and now my new friends
are...uh...they're...." Hammrin stopped speaking as he thought about the minions turning Merly into a zombie wizard who was gong to fly back up the pit and come after them. Shaking his head as if to dispel his nightmarish thoughts, he turned to Horace who was laying flat on the cracked floor. "Come back my little friend, I couldn’t bear it if you got hurt too, Merly is....gone" he said.

Hammrin put his sense of urgency on hold. He knew they must come together on a decision. Either try to break up the roof so they could climb up, or attempt to scale down the pit. But he would not press them while the situation with Merly was still too fresh in their hearts and minds and hadn’t sunk in quite yet.

Rav followed Merly’s actions via the stones link, suffering some vertigo as he fell, breaking the link at that point as did not want to see what a hard
landing looked like from the inside.

After a few moments Rav tried to see again through the link but Merlothrien’s mind window was shut or unable to be opened.

Rav thought aloud, “I wonder if it is safe to look at the piton holes, if they seem older than the shaft we then know that they are part of the old way down, if that’s the way we want or need to go"

After a few moments of almost deafening silence Merly's mind window popped up to all those who wished to look.

"Fear not master Hobbit I'm ok, just took a little fall that's all, but I'm fine, your mother was not the only one to tell their child not to be a hero you
know" the smile in his voice was apparent even though he could not be seen. "Although this IS interesting" he continued "it seems that someone or something has been down this shaft without the aid of the crank and cage after all take a look at these" he said looking up and down at a parallel row of piton holes. "Although by the look of things we're going to have to be very careful to get to these but it might prove with the right measures to be a safer and a darned sight quieter if we took this route"

"Let me know what you want to do, but make it quick I can't be floating about here indefinitely"

"Oh Mister Merly, I am so glad you’re alright!" replied Horace to the disembodied voice of Merlothrien. He then concentrated on the holes Merly
talked about, "I know I would be able to climb down with them, perhaps I can climb down and then up with a rope attached to the cage perhaps and then the bigger ones of us could use the cage again?"

He looked at the others, awaiting and answer.

Relieved that this was the Merly they all knew and loved and not the zombified version he feared, Hammrin quickly threw a rope out to Horace. "Tie on and throw a few pitons to Merly. See if he can secure them to the wall and run a rope through them before he comes back. Might as well make the most of this opportunity if we decide to climb down."

Hammrin braced for the floor to give way further and hoped Horace's little frame was light enough not to disturb the cracked stone beneath him.

Horace grabbed the rope. He reached behind him and took off his pack, carefully he removed several pitons and piton hammer and then tied them expertly into Hamrin's rope. "Okay Mr Merly you heard Mr Hammrin, bang a few pitons and tie the rope off!" With that Horace lowered the rope into the hole.

Merly flew upwards to grab the dangling items. He then glided over to the topmost holes and inserted the rods. He banged them in gently with the hammer and the fit looked good. Not too loose or too tight. Merlothrien then did his best at knot tying to secure the rope to them.

"Ok that’s ready" his mind window broadcasted as he rose out of the hole and landed back on a safe bit of the floor.

"I will go first to check that the pitons and rope are well set. I am the most qualified amongst us." Then Horace thought better of himself. "That is unless you bigger people had somebody else in mind?"

Kneeling next to Karl, Urthgar seemed to be deep in conversation with the huge animal. After a while, and several instances of nearly having his nose bitten off, he started making a makeshift hammock, and swung the huge dog onto his back. "We are ready young Hobbit - lead on"

"I should follow the hobbit," replied Feral as Urthgar got his dog all tied up, "If I fall I will take anyone with me of my size. I might just miss the hobbit. Besides, if there is a fight to be had at the bottom, best that I am there first to defend the rope, than there last and find others who have gone before me beset by the enemy."

"Mister Feral, Mr Urthgar this is my job alone. I need to see if its possible for us to use this way or if we have to think of another. You must all wait here but be prepared to haul me up. I will give four sharp tugs on the line. If you get that signal please haul away like your lives depended on it. I must go ahead as the way maybe too difficult for you bi..er..untrained climbers." Replied Horace as he made ready to make his climb.

"Could someone hold Sally for me?" He held out the little bundle of fur. "And here's her shrew snacks...."

Requain Ondoher, all calm appraisal, watched the conversation with some amusement. He had barely moved, the whole time. He watched the darkness of the pit from the strong support of a floor beam, seemingly fairly confident that it will not give way beneath him.

Others looking at the scene through his eyes found it incredibly disconcerting for through Ondoher's eyes the pit appeared to be full of dim stars, the silver reflections from dark metal that seemingly only he could see.

"If you wish to be hauled up at speed Master hobbit then we shall have to rig a pulley here at the top, hand over hand would be too slow. Perhaps a falling counterweight, that would be fastest though we would have to ensure that you were not pulled through the retaining ring at the top, since small as you are I doubt you would fit without some grievous alteration." Ondoher it appeared allayed his sense of duty with a dark sense of humour.

"I’ll hold sally while you climb down. I’ll be going last regardless, while we want a good climber leading the way, we also want a good climber at the rear also." Elenugeth reached out to take the small shrew and the shrew snacks and gently cupped the animal in one hand. "Do not worry Master Hobbit, she will be safe with me." He half stroked the shrew gently then sniffed the shrew snacks and grinned. "The snacks safety though I cant guarantee, good luck Horace"

“Merly, how far did you fall before you managed to stop? It might make a difference as to how we go down, I would prefer not to leave most of our ropes left tied off here, and unless some one knows the art of climbing down head first there is going to be some real problems putting pitons into the wall, just shoving them into the old holes will not hold any but Sally, they will need a slight tap.” Rav warned. “Pitons are usually used to climb up a wall not down, going down is usually done by belay or just climbing down a fixed rope.”

Ondoher gazed into the abyss of the pit then shook his head. "I think we need to consider alternatives. I don't think half of us would reach the bottom, even if we have enough rope to reach. Someone should talk to our patron about another way in. I'm going to have a look outside."

With that Ondoher headed back to the bridge and the chasm there, apparently with a mind to head back to the entrance.

Horace listened to all the discussion, nodding at some, frowning at others; he smiled as Elenugeth took Sally. He took a deep breath before he responded. "We have more rope on the ponies, I think? Plus I believe I need to go ahead, setting the ropes, hammering the pitons and seeing how far this climb will be. I do not know how strong some of you big people are as climbers. Many of you are wearing heavy armour and carrying huge weapons! Let me go ahead, prepare the way, see how difficult the climb is, and return more informed as to what our difficulties will be." He paused, “My Mom always said, ‘weigh twice, bake once!’ and I am in agreement with her!"

Tawl appeared to come out of his reverie and take note of his surroundings once more. He looked at the hobbit then to Ondoher’s departing back “I think that I am in agreement with Ondoher, it would be better to seek another way into the other levels....a safer way that will allow us to fight if
attacked, not easy targets clinging from a rope for any passing wizard or archer!'

Tawl carefully started to look around the room and headed out to the entrance of the room whilst searching again for a hidden way in.

Hammrin listened to all the conversation of climbing down and the use of pitons. He stared at them with his mouth open, nose scrunched up and eyes crossed for a short time. He blinked and his face returned to its normal relaxed state, his eyes darting glances at the others. "Of course pitons are for climbing up! I just thought you might want to climb back out of there a little easier if you decided to climb down," he said hoping the others would buy his story.

"Personally I'd rather not go down there, let’s take the path of least resistance first," he said pointing to the hole in the ceiling, "If we can knock out that rubble it would be an easier climb and we could always return here if need be. If you are set on going down into this pit, maybe we could tie all of our ropes together and send Sally down first. She would be a lot easier to pull up if we find we are short of rope." Hammrin gave Sally a wink and a nod, "That's my brave girl."

"Hmmm" Merlothrien said, “Urthgar, could I take a look at the Arkhand a moment please? I don't know if we'll be able to contact Khand but I'd like to see if I can glean any other information from it while we decide what to do.”

“Wait!!!” Urthgar’s rumbling voice resonated with the stone. “I may have another way - I can find what is on the other side of that fissure, my mind has recently been too occupied with current events to consider the situation. Wait here for me, Karl - stay with them and guard them.” The Hound gave a brief wag of its tail.

Urthgar stepped over to the fissure and concentrated. Far off, barely distinguishable dwarven chanting was heard in everyone's head. The stone immediately in front of Urthgar rippled as if it was a stodgy liquid.

Taking a deep breath, the large Beorning stepped into the wall, the stone oozing around his body until he disappeared within it. The stone wall rippled once again but this time looked solid. Anyone looking through the Animist's mind window saw him swimming through the rock before he emerged on the other side of the split room.

His face peered through the fissure looking down at the rest of the party but his eyes drifted over to Karl and their eyes locked. The war hound whimpered momentarily before trotting over to the wall where Urthgar had entered.

Urthgar concentrated again causing the same ripple to appear. The dog leaped into and through the wall. Urthgar’s mind window closed but when it reopened again the dog was safely on the other side and staring down the corridor that lead out of the room, watchful of any threat.

Realising this might be the quickest, most silent way down the rest of the party followed suit. Each time Urthgar had to concentrate while they swam through the rock.

Ondoher, seeing that everyone was now through the wall stopped his vigil, having spotted no signs of anything untoward. He was the last through into the chamber.

"Well Mr Urthgar why didn't you volunteer this ability a lot earlier than you did!' a slightly exasperated but smiling Horace addressed the Big Beorning. He then turned to Elenugeth, "Could I have Sally and the snacks back now? As thanks to Mr Urthgar and his prodigious magic talents, which are akin to the great Gandalf himself!, I don't have to climb anymore!"

The mouse and food were handed over to the small Halfling.

Urthgar offered a rare smile to the hobbit. "I fear that your comparison is unfounded in reality, but thank you my brave friend"

The animist addressed the others not yet across. "Can everyone move through the rock as fast as possible, the effort of maintaining its unusual consistency is taking its toll!"

"If no one has any objection, I’ll do my job and scout forward a little and see what the lay of the land is?" Horace continued.

Merlothrien stepped through the liquefied rock. "Well that was something rather remarkable if I do say so myself"

Facing the Hobbit he said "go ahead master hobbit I feel I need not tell you to be careful and keep your mind window open please just to be sure"

"Now then" he said "Urthgar once we have all the party through, may I take a closer look at the gem to see what I'm able to glean from it? I'll take good care of it I promise"

Feral nodded at Horace’s suggestion.

"I will not be far behind you little one. If you run into trouble just yell." A faint gleam crossed Feral’s eyes as he replied to the Halfling. With that Feral positioned himself at the front of the group, falchions at the ready.

Tawl took a deep breath, and grimacing, plunged through the rock wall as quickly as he could.

"That was a fine swim if I do say so meself!" said Hammrin with excitement, "I'd pay dearly to do that in a vein of Mithril!"
Hammrin imagined what it would be like for a moment, then watched through each party members mind window as they too swam through the rock, smiling each time they did.

Hammrin began inspecting the broken ward until Horace and Feral volunteered to scout ahead. "Aye we should be movin on carefully now," warned Hammrin. Seeing that there would probably not be any need to guard the flank of the party for a while, Hammrin followed after the scouts. He stayed back far enough so that Horace would not hear his clumsy footsteps. Going a little slower than Horace and Feral, he gleaned any information that the walls would allow as he passed through the corridor.

Urthgar grinned, he was seeming to come out of himself a little. “Well then, we shall have to see if we can find some of your precious Mithril then, although I will not waste the power until I am certain our goal is attained.” Chuckling, he turned and ruffled Karl's hackles, much to the large hounds obvious chagrin!!

Horace moved ahead, quietly and carefully. He was slow moving as he studied the floor, walls and ceiling ahead of him. The rest of the party, Feral at its head, waited for him to get far enough ahead so that any noise they made would not jeopardize Horace’s stealthy approach.

The passage bent to the left in a gentle curve. After around 500 feet the white marble hallway widened outwards again to reveal another ward room much the same as the one that had just been vacated by the party. Elenugeth, who had been guarding the party’s rear, moved up to the join the hobbit in searching the room for any secret exits. They found none so Horace continued on through the room. Again, the passageway took a slightly curved course until, 500 feet further on, another ward room emerged from the darkness. This room was searched too but nothing was found there either.

As the air grew staler and heavier the party trudged on, passing wards as they went. The general course of the passageway described a huge circle, seeded with wards. Finally the regular monotony was broken about 300 odd feet past a ward room. The passageway led on as normal but there was a branch off on the left that headed down. Horace and Elenugeth spent some time checking the junction but it looked safe to them. Again the hobbit crept ahead, searching as he went.

The corridor kept going down and down. The group followed a discrete distance behind as the scout descended. After 3500 feet, a faint pin prick of green light could be seen ahead. Horace slinked away another 500 feet before he could make out shapes in the light. It wasn’t until he was 300 feet away from them that he could identify a group of stationary figures. His mind window revealed 12 humanoids, some dwarven but mostly humans. They were all naked but armed with bone clubs. They wore the same slack jawed expresssions as Ox and all had their hearts missing.

Behind them, about 100 feet away where the ground leveled out, was a crossroads, the walls were covered in green fungi that was the source of the green light.

Horace quietly made his way back to the party. He whispered quietly, "I see the Northmen I was pursuing before, one is carrying a small silver bell, I am not sure if it is for signaling or something, there are orcs and two other humans. They are as Mr Hamrin's brother, their hearts removed! There is no way around them but my mum never raised no fool, she often said the Apple Pie left unguarded on the window sill, is never free for the taking! I suspect some of those horrible minions are out there waiting for the alarm to be raised. I think our best bet is to be quiet as Sally the Shrew or we will rapidly become fodder for the Owl!"

As Feral examined the scene before Horace through his mind window he smiled briefly, the grip on the hilts of his Falchions tightening. Horace then shattered that by telling them they would need to be quiet.

"I am not a sneak nor a thief," stated Feral in a harsh, but hush tone. "There is no way I can get past them quietly. I suggest you take out the one with the bell. Then swarm the others. That way we can avoid the alarm being rung and remove these enemy from our back."

Feral glanced around looking for support.

Horace regarded Feral with what passed for a Hobbit version of a withering stare.

"That’s what I meant Mr Feral. This looks like the only way through. I think we need to eliminate these guards quietly but you saw how difficult these
'zombies' are to kill. I have a way of approaching unseen perhaps I can 'borrow' the bell and then the rest of you big people can rush and dispatch them?"

Feral nodded as Horace outlined the plan. "Do it little one. I will be mere seconds behind you"Tawl drew his sword 'and I'll be right next to you
Feral for this battle'. He then paused and said 'hmmmm...against my better judgment perhaps, but can our magic users here do something to give us an advantage, so far I'm beginning to think magic isn't all that bad'

“I was just thinking this myself” replied Merlothrien, “Give me a moment please I may be able to avoid violence all together!” And all of a sudden
Merlothrien disappeared.

"Oh golly gosh and darn him!" murmured a visibly annoyed Horace, "I think we best prepare to assist Mr Merly should he get in trouble." then he muttered, barely audibly, "Stupid, hasty big people! When will they learn!"

Horace closed his eyes mumbling something incomprehensible, while closing his right hand over his left and with that he too disappeared. "Its okay I am invisible, I will stay to the extreme right of the cavern and will make my way forward. If there is violence I will use my bow and aim at the one
with the silver bell. I think it best that you all move close but as quietly and as stealthy as you can!" came a dislocated 'stage' whisper.

Hammrin looked at the heartless men and dwarves with pity, "These may have been good people once, like my brother!" he said with a hint of anger. Anyone looking at Hammrin noticed a dormant anger pushing its way through his body. Pressure was building like lava rising in a volcano, looking for places to release itself in small vents of steam. The thought if his heartless, headless brother triggered the beginning of an emotional eruption deep in his soul. "These heartless creatures are not my enemy, but they must be dealt with nonetheless" he rumbled.

"So these creatures feel no pain, wont stop till they are chopped to little bits, and that Northman in the middle is going to warn the rest of the minions of our presence with that silver bell," said Hammrin. After a short pause and a few head nods he continued, "When do we start!"

"Aye if we could "borrow" that little bell we would be in business," whispered Hammrin to the darkness ahead of him which concealed Horace.

Hammrin pondered in his own mind how they might defeat this group of zombified men and dwarves. In the corridor they might get 3 abreast and in a head to head battle fight 3 on 3. Perhaps if we drew them back to the last ward room, we could get a 5 on 3 advantage at the entrance if we were able to hold our line.

Ishtar, who had stayed as close to Hammrin as she could, turned her self inward to Horace's mind window. She had not spotted the bell but when being alerted to its presence had been pensive. When Merlothrien had disappeared from sight she had come to a sudden decision, forced, rather than thought through. "Friends Merlothrien and Horace, tarry a moment so that I might get close enough to aid in the silence of that bell!" She tried her best to creep close enough so that she could bring her will to bear upon the Northman. As she crept down the dark corridor she asked, "Merlothrien, please do not be so guarded as to your intentions. Surely you must seek council as we all do?" Keeping close to the side of the wall she carried on, "I have a gift to be able to silence any noise that wouldst come from around that bell? I will attempt to do thus if you wouldst hold a moment?" She
etched closer, apprehensive for any change in attitude from the undead in front of her.

Merlothrien replied, “Sorry Ishtar I thought it would be best to act quick rather then let the warrior types charge in raising merry hell in there! Go ahead, do what you need to do.”

Horace and Merlothrien’s mind windows were open for those who wished to look into them. As they were both invisible they could see each other quite clearly. The strange indistinctness of the non living surroundings contrasted with the brightness of their living bodies.

They could see the undead as white auras with tendrils of black wrapped about them binding the souls to the translucent dead flesh.

Ishtar was very quiet as she kept close to the wall and got closer until she was just over 100 feet away. The rotting guards had not moved. As she got within 100 feet suddenly the undead straightened to face her. Alarmed, she stepped back which resulted in them assuming their idle positions again.

Horace and Merlothrien tip toed past her but as they got within 100 feet the zombies once again stood to attention looking in the directions of the unseen party members. When they withdrew back the all seeing sentries resumed their placated state.

Horace expressed his thoughts to the others through his mind window...."It seems these abominations sense our life force or see without their eyes. Come concentrate on my mind window as I look for a way by these things. As my dear old mum used to say, 'Many hands make food better and more cooks the merrier!" Horace observed walls, floors, ceiling, the denizens, concentrated on the bell in the hand of the 'dead' northman, even took the shrew from his jacket and had her look as well.

Horace was annoyed and exasperated, "Well Miss Ishtar, Mister Merly, it is up to you. Make the bell silent so they cannot warn those scary minions or try some other magical, fantastical way of getting us past them. There seems to be no way past, without them seeing us!"

Urthgar's good mood seemed oddly to be continuing. "I for one am looking forward to relieving these abominations of their grip on this plane - their
spirits have departed, these are no longer anyone they may appear to be, and we will be doing their memory a favour if we destroy them"

"Let me know when you intend to do battle, and I will do my best to enhance your efforts!!"

Karl panted beside his master, almost seeming to smile in response.

“Well Master hobbit, I'm sure there is a way to get round this, give me a moment and I shall see what I can come up with, there is no need to sound so
defeated little one,” Merlothrien said.

”As much as I agree Urthgar with your suggestion" he continued "there are a few more of them than there are us and even more so who are built for battle so I think a more subtle approach is needed. As I said bear with me I need to have a think about what I need to do, if anyone has any suggestions other than charging in by all means feel free to speak up.”

Ishtar had been thinking about what to do. Her voice came through the mind link, "Friends, those that have such skill with bow may perchance be able to knock the bell from its grasp at the same time as I cause no sound to be heard from it? If Merlothrien could do as he did with the fallen stone outside and pluck it from the wielder’s hand as the shaft struck or stop it from striking the ground then the bell may not ring? That would allow those of martial skill to put these imprisoned souls to rest."

"My word I think she's got it" Merlothrien said "yes yes thats it, Horace, you're handy with a bow aren't you, I'd say Ishtar you go first and do what you do to make that bell silent, I'll stop it from falling and making a noise then Horace you see if you can hit that bell out of it's hand and I'll bring it back to me once it's free from those undead everyone else do what you have to do to put these poor souls to rest permanently"

The corridor was 10 foot wide. It allowed all three to stand abreast. Ishtar and Merlothrien spoke quietly to themselves as they brought their wills to bear. Once they had got ready their incantations ready all three stepped forward as one.

Ishtar waved her hands in a gentle circle, gesturing at the bell carrier as all the undead snapped back to attention. Merlothrien pointed at the bell, opened out his fingers then closed them. A twang sounded out as Horace released his arrow.

It flew true and struck the handle of the bell spinning it out from the decaying hand. Although it should have made a noise no sound was heard. At the same time Merlothrien raised his arm so that the bell was lifted up towards the white stone ceiling. The former bell carrier began pumping its arm up and down, apparently oblivious there was no longer any bell to ring.

Horace prepared to use his bow when he could and would try to keep out of the way of the fighters.

Tawl had already drawn his sword ready to fight and was near Urthgar. He stepped by Ishtar, Merlothrien and Horace to take up his position in the front rank beside Feral.

Hammrin watched the excellently choreographed display that Horace, Ishtar and Merly employed to disable the silver bell alarm system of the undead. "Wonderfully done!" he said in approval. Motioning for anyone with ranged capability to move to the front Hammrin tried to get two lines to form to start firing at the enemy if they approached, the front line on their knees, the second line standing. Hammrin would wait until the enemy closed before moving up in melee position.

"Ahem...perhaps we could send a volley of arrows at the center of the tendril mass on these unfortunate souls? If we can convince them to leave I suspect the bodies will lay at peace." Hammrin readied a throwing axe and examined the blade closely. "Yes I believe you will be quite convincing my friend," he said as if speaking to the razor sharp blade.

Tawl considered drawing his bow, but decided against it ' I could use my bow dwarf, but I think they will attack too quickly once provoked, so I'll stick with using my sword here as it's ready now' Tawl said flicking his sword up slightly to emphasise the point.

Ravorian had been distant, looking up at the zombies again he said, “I know there is a spell that could be put on the bell to silence it, but I do not know how to cast it, maybe that could help if some one does know how it is done?”

Hammrin scrunched his eyebrows and gave Rav a curious look. He looked intently to see if any black tendrils had attached themselves to his head. "The bell has been taken care of my friend. Are you feeling ok?" said Hammrin with his handaxe at the ready, unsure if Rav was a zombie trying to blend in with the party. Noticing there was no hole where Rav's heart should be Hammrin relaxed and gave a low "Ho, ho, ho" laugh. Apparently the silly half-elf was just losing his memory or had not seen how Horace, Merly, and Ishtar had so cleverly acquired control of the bell. "No Master Rav, we're just trying to figure out the best way to deal with these undead. Slice 'em, bash 'em, or poke 'em full of holes?" If I were an archer I'd make a pin cushion out of one of 'em. Those tendrils have got to be destroyed!" said Hammrin, working himself up into a fit of anger.

"Nice work" Said Elenugeth then realising that the others had moved up without him moved forward as swiftly as possible to Ishtar, "but let's not be hasty in thinking that the bell is no longer a problem. We still have a group of people to deal with and this time we don’t have much of an advantage in either location or numbers." Elenugeth sighed, "And although the way the bell has been taken is nothing short of inspired, we don’t have the element of surprise now either."

Reaching to his back the half elf pulled an arrow from his back. Turning to the Elven wizard a small chuckle escaped Elenugeth's lips. "Will wonders never cease," before letting the 1st arrow fly toward the northmen.

Horace sent a shaft their way too.

Elenugeth’s shot resulted in the front middle Northman sprouting an arrow from his neck. Horace’s arrow struck the undead country folk in front of him in the chest.

That must have been the trigger the zombies needed. All jogged forward. As they closed to within 20 feet Hammrin launched his throwing axe at the human that Horace had just fired at. The shot was very accurate and split open the top of its head but it rushed onward regardless…

From his position in the 3rd row, Tieger levelled his halberd ready to try and jab any of the approaching undead in the tendrilly bits, using their own momentum to help impale them. "Hold fast friends. They will break against us as the sea against the mighty northern icebergs!"

Urthgar prepared himself for battle, ruffled Karl’s hackles as encouragement, and assumed a solemn face, ready for the oncoming onslaught.

Ishtar, at the back, waved her finger in a circle about Hammrin while she called to the spirits of the forest to bless the dwarf.

Merly, also at the back, mumbled to himself quietly.

Horace let loose with his shortbow. The arrow struck a bone in an arm causing the onrushing zombie to drop its club.

Elenugeth drew back his elven longbow and let fly and the zombie charging Tawl. His shaft buried itself in the chest just above heart.

Tawl’s two handed sword smashed the same creature so hard that it staggered back.

Feral first blade cut a huge chunk out of the one Elenugeth had been firing at's side, his follow up blade cut both legs off at the knee.

Hammrin’s strike caught his foe under the armpit, lifted it off its feet to smash into side of the corridor. It slid down the wall, its body broken.

Urthgar's spear stabbed out at the zombie behind the one that Feral had just dispatched. This was the zombie that is still ringing an imaginary bell. Though the blow should have been mortal, it just succeeds in pushing it away.

Tieger's halberd skewered the dwarf that rushed into the space vacated by Hammrin's fallen foe in the leg. It crumpled down upon one knee as Tieger held it in place.

The initiative with the party's front rank, they stepped forward over the still moving but prone zombies.

Ishtar again made the same motions and words but this time waved her hand over Tawl.

Merly commanded in elvish, “Stun!” A dark cloud appeared above the three rear northmen. The smell of Ozone became heavy in the air before lightning arced down, striking them. One of them was knocked over, the snap of its arm just audible above the crackling.

Horace fired at the pinned undead dwarf catching it in the arm.

Elenugeth drew another arrow as he reloaded.

Tawl delivered another punishing strike but again the undead commoner remained standing but pushed back.

Feral put such fury into his attack against his unarmed foe that it was sliced from neck to navel so deeply that it split in two.

Hammrin's morning star connected perfectly with his pinned foe, the force sufficient to rip Tieger's halberd out, the undead dwarf flopped to the ground.

When Feral stepped forward Urthgar was able to attack the next Northman ahead of him. Again, the strike was near perfect, a large gouge opened up on the inside of its thigh, another mortal wound but the zombie did not bleed. However this time his new enemy fell over from the blow.

Karl started savaging and crunching up the bones of any still moving but prone zombie amongst the party ranks.

Tieger had to delay his strike too as Hammrin and Horace stepped forward ahead of him. It was worth it as he impaled another dwarf through the arm shaking its weapon from its grip.

Ondoher and Rav with still no adequate target helped Karl in stopping the zombies from moving.

Feral and Hammrin's ranks stepped forward.

Merly's lightning cloud still electrocuted the back row of northmen as they did not show the intelligence to walk out from under it. Another snap accompanied another zombie falling flat on its back, leg broken. The one with a broken arm rose onto its knees while the Northman in the middle, long blond hair standing on end took the jolt and pushed against the northman blocking its way forward.

Ishtar carried out the same blessing on Feral.

Merly began uttering more elvish words, these arcane sounding.

Horace’s bow twanged as another arrow flew through the air. It hit Tieger's dwarf on the other arm not impaled by him making it hang limply by its side.

Elenugeth shot at the tough commoner that Tawl was fighting, the arrow struck it solidly in the chest, the arrow tip protuding out through its back.

Tawl quickly followed up by cutting it in half.

Feral was merciless with the prone Northman that Urthgar had knocked over. He sliced it apart as he waited for the last northman in front of him to step out of the cloud and face him.

Hammrin had an easy job as his morning star pulverised the rib cage of the mauled foe that Tieger and Horace had attacked.

Urthgar delayed until Feral was faced with a target again. The blond haired dead northman stepped forward. Probably fighting the best combat of his life, the animist's spear strike was a near perfect copy of the previous move, sporting a slahed open leg the zombie could not support its weight and lurched forward onto its knees.

Tieger, also waiting for Feral's enemy to get in range, delivered a strong blow but failed to impale it.

Karl, Rav and Ondoher continued with their gruesome prone foe dispatch work.

Hammrin's rank stepped forward.

The cloud still had two victims under it. The one nearest Hammrin, on one knee, fell forward onto its face as the remaining leg cracked under the pulsing electric jolt. The other with a broken arm reached down for its club, gathered it up then shuffled over to Hammrin.

Ishtar began calling in her spirits to aid her in stunning the foes ahead of her while Merlothrien carried on mumbling the same elvish words over and
over.

While Horace shot at the rear rank zombie with a broken arm Elenugeth reloaded. The arrow embedded deeply into its gut but it still stood.

Tawl sliced his two handed sword deep into the undead dwarf ahead of him. It staggered against the wall but stood.

Feral finished the kneeling blond haired northman by taking of its hand and the other arm just beneath the elbow. He turned sideways so he was facing the dwarf Tawl and Urthgar were fighting

Hammrin moved to engage the dwarf behind the one Feral was to the side of and delivered a thumping blow with his morning star.

Urthgar attacked the dwarf Tawl was fighting but only managed a nick.

Tieger had to push by Horace so he was standing where Hammrin had just moved from. He ignored the two zombies in the strange cloud to stab at the dwarf Hammrin just attacked.

Karl, Rav and Ondoher carried on with their necessary mutilations.

The cloud crackled again. The broken armed northman fell in a heap and did not move. The remaining northman in the cloud suffered yet another break, this time the arm. Its remaining good arm swung its club feebly at Tieger who was able to simply step over the incoming slow moving weapon.

Ishtar and Merlothrien carried on preparing their incantations.

Horace fired at Tawl and Urthgar's target. The arrow went deep into its side but was ignored.

Elenugeth shot at the same target but his arrow severed something in its spine, it bent over, head between its legs, looking behind itself. Tawl was able
to chop it to the floor.

Feral drove both blades deeply into the last standing undead. It slammed into the wall but remained on its feet. Hammrin followed up with another mighty swipe that smashed it back into the wall. Any living creature would be that no longer but the undead dwarf raised its club to hit the dwarf.

Urthgar jabbed his spear at it catching it in the chest and pinning it back against the wall.

Tieger finally finished it off by cutting some of its hand away so that the club dropped to the floor.

While Merly's cloud crackled a few more times to leave two blackened zombie husks underneath the party made sure all the undead were taken care of.

Even with the last undead enemy dispatched Hammrin maintained a battle stance, his weapon at the ready. Once the little dwarf got his blood boiling it took a while to calm down again. "It was a good fight to liberate the souls of the undead." he said in a growl wishing there was just one more thing he could swing at. "I trust everyone is ok?" he said a little softer.

Everyone looked to have emerged unharmed though a little fatigued.

"I'd like to celebrate a clear victory, but this fight isn’t over if my dwarf sense is correct. Something was supposed to HEAR that silver bell and it’s not too far away from where the undead were standing up ahead."

Hammrin pulled a throwing axe out of the split skull of one of the undead and wiped it off. "You have got a way with people, it’s a gift I tell you!" he spoke to the blade with a smile.

"Perhaps our sneaky little marksman can find out who is lurking up ahead?" said Hammrin as he turned to look at Horace.

The passageway led on to a crossroads.

Feral grinned as the last of the enemy fell to his
blades.

"Now that," he said, "was invigorating." A glint in his eye suggested what? Battle lust yes, madness? Almost. Definitely a desire for blood.

"Come let us move to the crossroads. Perhaps the recipient of the bells ringing can be found there."

Tieger wiped the gore off his halberd onto one of the dead bodies. "Might it be worth ringing the bell, and dispatching whatever arrives from ambush?"

"As much as I'd like to agree with you" Merlothrien said, "I very much doubt that the recipients of that bell’s peel will be anything like what we've just fought" He continued "it's more than likely to be the same things that were coming up on the top of that cage back there, in which case I don't think that we'd want them ready for a fight at all, I think getting the drop on them would be the best course of action" He paused for a moment, looked about and said "I could be wrong though, it's just a thought but Horace would you be able to send Sally on ahead, I would imagine
creatures of her size are commonplace down here and if you can communicate with her then we may have a bit of an early warning system..... but I have to agree Feral" he said with a wry smile "That was quite, umm, stimulating!"

"Aye, lets find out what is waiting ahead and how many there may be," said Hammrin. "Ringing the bell may be part of a plan we deploy after we know a little more. I haven’t seen any signs saying beware of cave troll yet but we may just be thanking our lucky stars that we waited." Hammrin seemed interested in the glowing substance on the walls where the undead were standing. "Perhaps this could be bottled up and used in a dark
space later?”

Horace looked around, his eyes brimming with tears. "That was not stimulating Mister Merly, that was awful. They were once alive and these horrible people made them dead and then used them against us!" a single tear ran down his ruddy cheeks, then his eyes cleared and strength seemed to flow back into his body, "Yes Mister Merly, I will send Sally forward but I will back her up, following 50 feet or so behind, I will keep my mind thingie open....." He turned pulling the small Shrew from his pocket, he seemed to squeak and whisper to the little rodent as he stepped through and around the carnage, he then placed the shrew on the floor. She ran forward quickly and quietly. He followed as he had said, 50 feet behind moving as silently as the shrew.

Hammrin was able to take a sample of the green fungus from the wall. It still glowed dimly but for how long was anyone's guess.

Horace's mind window winked up. On the opposite side of the cross roads the passage still led down. It carried on down as far as he could see (300 feet).

The passage to the right and left was level but hit the junction at an angle. To the right it stretched out ahead for about 200 feet before the angle of the
walls blocked any further view. To the left, the passageway opened out a bit to a pile of white bleached objects, bones most likely, after 150 feet.
This cavern looked to be quite large and only part of it was discernable.

Horace thought, "If no one has any objections, I will go to the left to make sure this cavern of bones doesn't hold something we don't want behind us."
Feral nodded at Horace. "Seems as good a choice as any. Lead on little one."

Horace and Sally headed down to the bone cavern moving as quietly and being as invisible as they could. The passage was quiet and still, the sound of battle now a memory. Horace was able to follow the shrew into the bone cavern where the corridor opened out on one side. The opening looked man made and formed a large alcove in the passage. A pile of bones some 10 foot high filled the alcove. The bones were so numerous that they had spilled out into the passage. The bones were all short and Hammrin was able to comment that they looked dwarven. A number of the bones looked twisted
or bent but not broken. There were quite a few bones from infants or babies.

As Horace followed the passage he spotted a single wide metal rail in the ground on the far side of the bone pile. It looked like it had been used recently as the, possibly grey, metal still glowed in the pale green light. It continued down the passage where another opening presented itself, this time on the other side of the hallway. This hewn alcove was filled with bones too, though the proportion of mishappen bones looked to be higher here. There were still a fair number of bones from immature dwarves.

The hobbit moved further along until he came across a third alcove with a mound of bones. Most of these were deformed with a very high percentage of immature dismembered skeletons. As he looked up the passage the rhythmic squeal of a wheel echoed down the stone walls. The Halfling took shelter in amongst the bones, the shrew not too far ahead of him.

Four misshapen dwarves shuffled down the passage towards Horace. The two at the front were pushing a large four foot high cart that was the source of the noise as its wide wheel rolled along the single rail. Behind them one of the other two pushed an empty wheelbarrow. The front pair carried similar deformities; bulging lumps on their bodies and some spinal ailment that bent them over. The rear pair were different. Both had a twisted leg with their foot pointing the wrong way but looked reasonably free of lumps and stood straight.

The cart came to a stop before it reached Horace. The front pair pulled themselves along the cart until they were able to sit down against the front of it, facing towards the hidden hobbit. The rear dwarves, dragging their twisted foot behind them, wheeled the barrow to a much smaller fourth pile of bones. The patterns in the layer of dust around it bore evidence to recent shovel work.

The sudden silence was broken by the misshapen dwarf limping beside the other pushing the barrow, he was talking in Khuzdul.

"If I sees another bone then I'll become one, Broghul. I wish we's be down in the garden with the others. At least we’s can eat as we’s work." He barked a short laugh that echoed briefly about the tunnels.

Broghul, the dwarf beside him with the barrow, shot a glance back up the way they’d came. "Shh yer Slign! There’s worse places than the Catacombs. Imagine being one of them priests and having to tend to his holiness. One minute yer praying, the next minute yer grown another hand. At least here yer get back home with the same enhancements yer had at Gongtime."

"Ah! His holiness wouldn't do that! His days of random mutation are over. I hear the new batches of them babies have come out strong and nicely enhanced. Nearly three score little beauties with only twice as much stillborn. Now breeder, there’s a job for we!" The mishappen dwarf looked down at his bulgeless crotch and wide hips, “I wish he'd given me the right apparatus though, ain't right this for a male!"

"Dullring yer fool! Nilli and Kojahak got the cart. I got the barrow so where's the shovels yer bringing? Yer never has the right apparatus does yer?"

Dullring screwed up his face at Broghul, turned and started to shamble off back up the passage. Horace couldn’t see where that led without risking being seen by the two sitting at the cart.

As Horace’s mind window showed the twisted and deformed bones Hammrin looked on with pity for those who had suffered such torture. It seemed like many dwarves were being exterminated by the dark power that ruled under this mountain. Hammrin began to get angry, which the others were beginning to expect from him. Dwarves were being mutilated and abused and he would not stand for that.

After hearing the conversation of the deformed dwarves things became more clear. Dwarves were being bred here. Who knows what kind of experiments were taking place in this secret underworld of evil. Hammrin could not understand why these dwarves appeared to be ok with what was going on. Apparently they were a willing part of it.

"Friends, these creatures may look like dwarves and speak like dwarves, but I've never seen anything like 'em. They appear to be servants of the evil force that resides in this underworld. That makes them my enemy," said Hammrin a little saddened that another dwarf would actually be his enemy. "We have got to make sure Horace is ok. At the same time I don’t believe those deformed dwarves were the hidden guardians that were supposed to hear the alarm bell. Lets move in closer in case Horace needs us and keep a watch to our backs as well."

Feral nodded at Hammrin’s words. Silently, he slipped out his twin blades of death and nonchalantly began to stroll down the passageway making no attempts to be overtly quiet.

Horace, from his vantage point, heard the approach of the party and 'mindthought' "Be quiet please Mr Feral, the rest of you. If we make noise and kill these 'dwarves' we will alert the whole 'anthill'! We cannot afford to fight our way through everyone to find our target! Despite how excellent you are at killing! Come closer yes but be as quiet as you can and let me observe these 'dwarves' perhaps we can follow them later."

Horace then mind linked with Sally, "Be quiet girl, hawks are about!"

Tawl considered the halfling's mind window for a sec then decided his course of action. He drew his sword " I think we need to deal with the main threat first rather than those miserable wretches, I'm going to move along and see if the bell ringer's friend appears" he then moved quietly down the main passage a little way peering into the gloom and standing ready off to the east side of the passage.

Horace replied mentally, "That is a good idea Mr Tawl, perhaps Mr Elenugeth can accompany you. I will keep watch from here and alert you should the misshapen dwarves hear you or move your way. Perhaps someone can standby to be my saviour should I be discovered. Mr Ondoher perhaps? As My Mum always told me, Horace she said, better be on watch than asleep in your porridge!"

Ondoher agreed via the mind link. As the High Dunadan stalked further towards the hobbit with Hammrin and Feral trying their best to follow silently behind, Dullring walked back the way he had come.

Whether it was luck, or maybe the Corsair had picked up some tips, but he moved quite silently to the bone pile behind the one where Horace was secreted. Ondoher was quiet too, taking up position crouched beside Feral. They waited. Hammrin wasn't so lucky. He was forced to hide in the first pile of bones after Horace asked him to wait as his clumsy approach caused the two sitting misshapen dwarves to look in his direction. They paused for a while before resting again.

Tawl and Elenugeth moved over the cross roads and further down the passage that led downwards still. Elenugeth noticed a single set of dwarf sized
footprints that led the way they were scouting. The passage went on for another 500 feet before the warm air became much cooler. The passage bent sharply left before opening out into a huge cavern. The walls were slick with dark slime and the smell of mould permeated the air. The cavern's roof was somewhere up in the darkness but out of range of the Arkhand's sight. The roughly rectangular cavern housed a bitterly cold dark lake that was 200 feet across by 300 feet wide. The passage led straight onto the shores of the foreboding lake, the single set of footprints leading right up to
the edge.

Moving down and waiting at the cross roads were Merlothrien, Ishtar, Rav, Tieger, Urthgar and Karl.

Rav and Tieger decided to scout the remaining passage. After 700 feet the hallway offered a corridor to the left. Peering down it revealed a rubble strewn room with the remains of the pulley system in it. Looking up, the roof of this small square room could not be discerned. On one wall were small piton sized holes that ran up the wall as far as the eye could see. To confirm this indeed was the shaft that led up to the cradle room a hollow crunch heralded Ox's arrival from above followed rapidly by a squelching noise as the boulder that had trapped him followed the dead dwarf down and landed on his upper torso. Finally Hammrin's brother stopped moving. Leaving this room, Rav and Tieger carried on another 100 feet before the end of the passageway was in sight. A large wide chasm, too huge to judge its dimensions, barred any further progress.

Around 20 minutes had passed since Dullring had left. As the chasm was revealed he returned with his forgotten tools. "'Ere Broghul, something's up. I seen them Minions all enter his temple. Looks like they'll be some large raid outside, wish we could pass the wards. I'd like to see the Sun one day," He heaved a sigh as he tossed Broghul a shovel. The latter caught it and smiled at his companion, "If his Holiness's plans go right then we'll be able to break them evil wards soon Dullring. Then it'll be time for revenge." He shovelled a pile of bones into the barrow with an angry fling.

"Aye, then we's be showing the surfacers why they don't imprison dwarves!" Dullring agreed.

Rav and Tieger headed back to join the others at the crossroads. Rav snuck forward to the first bone pile and examined them closely. Looking through he confirmed the absence of any other race amongst the remains. The bones also had no remains of flesh on them, possibly they had been processed in some way.

As Rav looked through the bones, Feral glanced at the Halfling then moved close to whisper "I think a swift execution might be in order at this point."

Horace looked at Feral with horror and then gulping replied, "I do not like killing Mr Feral, even in the best of situations. I would always catch the poisonous spider and release it outside and I wouldn't eat after my Mum had made chicken stew and one of our chickens was missing! But I suppose your right. At least lets make the deaths as painless and quick as possible!"

Crouching amongst the bones, the High Dunadan tried keeping himself as low as possible but smiled to himself when he glanced over at the large Corsair beside him having even more difficulty. "Well if we must slay these dwarves, might I suggest we keep one alive for questioning at least?"

Drawing his longsword slowly he awaited any response from the rest of the group.

Horace replied to the Dunadain he had grown so fond of, "I’d like to leave them all alive, Mr Ondoher but one is better than none!"

He turned to Sally, and thought "To me girl and quietly now!"

"My friends" The low voice of Urthgar had not been heard for some time

"This lake has importance far beyond the life giving water. I know it. I feel it. We should explore it, if possible even unto its depths. Trust me on this my friends."

Before anyone could reply Feral was up with a snarl and rushing the closest dwarf. Ondoher sprinted after him, followed by Hammrin and Rav who had finished his examination of the pile.

Sighing, Horace let loose an arrow that went through Broghul’s thigh.

The two closest dwarves, sitting against the cart, did not have time to get to their feet before being chopped down to the floor again by the Corsair’s twin blades. Ondoher rushed past all the dwarves to block off the passageway lest one of the other dwarves make a run for it. Dullring and Broghul just froze in momentary fear at the charge of the two huge warriors. Hammrin was next on the scene, moving quickly past Feral and engaging Dullring. The misshapen dwarf brought up his shovel to ward off Hammrin’s fierce blow but the shaft splintered as the spiked ball of his morning star struck it. The pale dwarf staggered back and cried out in alarm.

Darting past the hobbit, Rav fell upon the injured Broghul. He rose in the air with a upwards kick that wrenched the shovel the dwarf was holding out of his hands and clattering into the ceiling with a clang that echoed about the tunnels.

Horace fired again striking Broghul’s other leg just above the backwards facing knee. As he fell to the ground Rav’s foot smashed into the dwarf’s jaw, knocking him senseless.

Seeing the demise of his companion, Dullring screamed at Hammrin, “For my Brother!” and came at the dwarf with the remains of his weapon. Hammrin brought up his shield and warded off the flurry of blows before clinically tripping Dullring and smashing his weapon into the back of his head. Dullring began his twitching death throws.

Feral finished off the sitting dwarves, bloodlust in his eyes. He looked genuinely disappointed that no more foes were standing.

Ondoher checked the fallen dwarves, as he knelt beside Broghul, he said, “This one yet lives.”