-----Raven and Garrison immediately set about examining the small area. Rinda stays close standing to one side with the wolf. The gray animal begins sniffing the ground and begins barking when he reaches pile of stones.
-----While Raven studies the ground near the open hole, Garrison strides across to the other side of the enclosed area. After a few moments grimly looking at the ground, he motions to everyone saying, "Looks like ogres have been here. . ." He then raises his head squinting suspiciously as he scans their immediate area. "If they still aren't around," he adds.
-----Sol also scans the ruins, looking for anything of interest to catch his eye. As he does so, the warrior comments, "I've been looking forward t'trying my hand against another ogre. I still remember th' bucket sized bruise I got from th' last one we fought. Which way did they take th' cart, Raven?"
-----Raven moves forward to examine the vines covering the hole. After a minute, a grinning Raven says, "They moved the cart down here and then tried to put the vines back to hide it."
-----Raven starts to pull out a torch and starts to light it, "Let's take a peek and see what they want to keep such a secret."
-----Sol frowns as he moves to stand by Raven. Once the torch has been lit, he heads down the steps with the hunter, one hand resting lightly on the hilt of his longsword.
-----"You two always go charging into the dark?" Garrison asks as he runs over from his position. He looks about at Sarah and Rinda giving them a weary smile. He then follows the ranger and the young warrior into the underground.
-----"Yep." Sarah says admiringly as she watches the two dash off. "It's something that dashing heroes who know no fear do." She smiles at Garrison. "It's Sol version of tactics, charge at something and if it fights back wing it from there." She grins. "And with Sol it's pretty darn effective." She hurries to catch up to the two heroes.
-----As everyone walks down the steps, they see at the bottom a small landing that leads ahead for about ten feet. The ancient stone walls about the steps look rough but still secure. From there another set of steps leads from the end of the landing further on down into the darkness.
-----Down the second set of steps the adventurers now carefully venture. Each of them keeps an eye on where they set their feet, for now debris and large pieces of wood are about the stone steps. The second set of steps seems to lead them down another ten feet before emptying onto a wide passage. Here a distinctive odor carries through the air somewhat like a liquid that has curdled or gone bad.
-----There at the bottom, the torchlight picks up the remains of a horse drawn cart battered and shattered from its jumbled trip down the steps. Just beyond it in a huge pool of blood lies a large humanoid body.
-----Just then an excited yell is heard from up the steps and outside. The high-pitched keening sounds like Bradley accompanied by clangs of swords.
-----"Blast it!" Sol yells his curse as he bursts back up the steps, heading back outside as fast as his legs will take him. Raven also turns and races to get to the surface. Sarah is right behind Raven and Sol.
-----A mad hasty dash is made as everyone takes to the stone steps once again and races toward the daylight beaming down into the hole from outside. Somewhere the torch seems to be extinguished or dropped. It is no matter, though, as the entire party ascends into the bright illumination.
-----As everyone tops the steps and runs around the jutting wall, they see a sight that causes little slowing in the motion of the warriors in the party. There by the road, Bradley and Shema, with swords drawn, battle a large humanoid. The horses have already been scattered probably by the guards so the steeds would not be harmed.
-----The creature probably stands over nine feet tall and has long greasy greenish hair. It wears animal furs worn to a dull brownish color that covers its dead yellowish skin. It roars as it swings its monstrous club at the two guards. Bradley throws himself back avoiding the ogre's weapon while Shema does an impressive duck and roll maneuver.
-----Sol quickly draws the Lathanian blade and heads straight towards the combat. The monster turns toward the young warrior and hefts its weapon.
-----Garrison charges right behind Sol and Raven, the sun seeming to catch the blades of his battleaxe. "Mark me well, ogre! Yours is the day to die!" he shouts at the offending monster.
-----A snarling Raven draws both swords and moves in to the attack the monster.
-----Sol whispers as he nears the creature and he throws himself at the ogre without hesitation.
-----Just as the monster prepares to bring his club down, Raven stabs in at the huge gut. His first sword finds the ogre's belly. The huge humanoid bellows out and is injured! Raven quickly tries to rake across with his other hand but the ogre moves enough to cause him to miss.