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----- Raven says to the group in a low voice, "That cloaked stranger is not an orc, that's all I know for sure." Raven walks over to a nearby tree and tears off a dead limb and gets to work on setting it on fire.
-----After lighting the makeshift torch Raven says, "Put it on our shopping list to carry torches." Raven stands in front of the stairs going down. Raven draws one of his short swords and says to the group, "Ready?"
-----Sol's only reply is to draw his long sword and give a confident smile in return. Sol then walks over to next to Raven, waiting for the descent.
-----The men carefully descend the stairs. Raven holds the torch before him and the men find that they must take time to adjust their eyesight to the dark while seeing by the torchlight. As they move down into the dank darkness, they notice a musty old smell. It gives an impression of an ancient place, as if nothing has breathed this air for a very long time. Even though they are cut off from the breeze that chills the air outside, down below it feels cold and the still air seems to hang motionless about them. Everything seems very quiet save for the breeze as it softly whistles across the opening above them.
-----At the foot of the steps, the single passageway widens to about ten feet across. The corridor leads straight ahead into the dark. Raven quietly sets his booted foot on the dusty stone floor. Sol moves to his side as soon as he reaches the bottom. The others gather behind them.
-----Suddenly, from their position, they notice a single beam of light shining in their direction. It comes from about thirty feet straight down the passageway near the floor. It looks as if someone has set a lantern down and aimed it toward the base of the stairs. Near the source of the light, something or someone appears to be lying across the passage. There is no movement.
-----The light also reveals that, halfway between the heroes and the light source, a corridor appears to open up on the right. They can see that the dust on the floor has been partially swept aside as if by the passing of many feet.
-----Raven looks to Sol and motions with his head toward the direction of the source of the light. Trying to stay out of the beam of light, Raven moves towards whatever is lying on the floor.
-----Sol nods once to Raven and begins carefully making his way forward.
-----"I will be third," Thalog says.
-----Raven moves to the left and the men follow him single file along the wall. There, the light less illuminates the wall. They move carefully forward trying not to make any sound in the light debris and dust under their feet.
-----Walking fifteen feet forward, they begin to pass the opening of the corridor to the right. For a few seconds, all four men are tense; ready to spring at the first sign of trouble. Sure enough, it is a passageway, about ten across, much like the one they are in. The light of the torch shines into the emptiness. They cannot see how far the corridor extends. Again, all is silent except for the sound of the breeze behind them.
-----As they pass the side passage by, they are about ten feet from their objective. The light source appears to be a small lantern simply set down to one side of the passage. Raven cautiously holds the torch aloft to see beyond the glare of the lantern light. The figure of a medium-sized man, his back turned away from the party, lays across the passage. A blanket mostly covers the figure.
-----Raven motions for the others to stay where they are. He slowly sets down the torch and creeps toward the sleeping figure. He then pushes the figure onto its stomach, puts a hand over the figure's mouth and places the sword so the figure can see the blade. The man lets out a slight gasp. His body tenses, but freezes once he focuses on the blade of Raven's sword.
-----Raven places his mouth within an inch of the figure's ear and says, "I won't hurt you, but I need you to be quiet. Nod if you understand."
-----After listening to Raven's words, the man slowly nods his head.
-----Raven says to the man, "I'm going to take my hand away and we'll talk. Please don't yell or do anything stupid. I would hate to get blood all over my new shirt. All I want is information, not your gold."
-----Raven takes his hand away, but keeps the sword where it was. Still talking in a low voice Raven says, "Why are you down here?"
-----The man slightly turns his head. The party can see dark hair and a beard framing a weathered and rugged looking face. The blanket was shifted in the overpowering of the man and a shirt of leather armor is revealed. He nervously answers Raven in a gruff voice, "I was. . . uh . . lookin' for a wee bit o' shelter durin' me travels."
-----Raven looks over the man's gear. He says to the man, "Where you off to?"
-----The only gear the man appears to have is just what he wears, the blanket, and the lantern. His boots seem to seen some use, but don't appear to be worn out.
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