CH 4: Lair of the Dragon

[Kafen]

"I can go first." Tas declares with pride and squares his shoulders. ""It's only right, after all. This is a place for little people. We should go first to avoid hitting tall things." He stops to think about what he just said. "It's a place for dragons, too. They could go first. That's an issue. I'd rather go before a dragon, though. The whole beaing eaten thing could be a problem unless it is a wooden dragon of course."

[Jenara]

"I'm coming too!" Laurana pouts, standing up to her full height, "If that's ok with you?" She glances to Tanis.

[Jerrard]

Sturm frowns, what was this young woman up to now? "We all go outside, we have to, but a short scouting party would be a good idea." He sheaves his blade, cleans down his cloak and prepares his equipment for the day.

[JadedDM]

Tanis glances at Laurana askew. With a sigh, he says, "Only because I'm not entirely certain that leaving you under the care of the gully dwarves would be any safer."

To Tas, he says, "You and Magpie take the lead, and keep an eye out for trouble. We'll follow at a distance."

[Breila]

"Should the rest of us stay here, then, Tanis?" Goldmoon asks.

[JadedDM]

He considers this. "It may be better to remain together. It's a big city, or what's left of it, and there are plenty of those creatures crawling around. Getting caught in smaller groups could be our downfall."

[Breila]

"Sturm spoke of a scouting party, that's why I asked" Goldmoon explains. "I also think we should stay together and explore as much of the city as we can before we confront the dragon." She gathers her belongings and puts on her backpack, staff in hand, she is ready to set out.

[Nuke]

Riverwind prepares as well. "I know I learned a lesson yesterday, pray that we all did. Let us be careful."

[JadedDM]

Stepping through the messy mess hall, and through the two secret doors again, the party finds themselves back on the streets of Xak Tsaroth. It seems darker now than it was before, with the light of Raistlin's staff the only light to see by. It must be nighttime up on the surface.

With Magpie and Tas ahead of the others to scout out trouble (and neither of them needing the light of Raistlin's staff, thanks to their infravision), the party slow tails them. They walk south along the street for several minutes before the sound of rushing water becomes loud enough to make conversation a little difficult.

After awhile longer, they can see why. A wall of water dives from an opening in the west cavern, filling the street, then settling quickly into an east-running stream.

Magpie consults her map carefully. To anyone who looks at it, it appears to be as much gibberish as it was before, but she seems to act confidently, like she knows where she's going. "Is this way," she says, pointing west. "Behind waterfall. Secret way, bosses and big dragon not know."

The pair wait for the others to catch up. There are no signs of draconian patrols, which is welcome...but perhaps a bit nerve-wracking, as well. Where are they? Did they just give up their search? Or are they lying in wait somewhere with an ambush?

Before they can cross through the curtain of water, however, Flint suddenly stops them. "Hold on," he whispers, drawing his axe. "I could have sworn I saw someone...or something move behind that waterfall."

[Jenara]

Laurana peers into the waterfall, her young Elven eyes trying to fix on what was there, "DO you see anything Tanis?" She asks as she follows the waterfall.

[Jerrard]

Sturm keeps himself in the middle of the group, his weapon drawn he walks with the others, "I am not sure what you see Flint, could it be the water?"

[JadedDM]

Peering carefully, Laurana does notice a man-sized person attempting to crouch by the rubble, and remain hidden. Tanis must see it, too, because he carefully reaches for his bow. "There may be more," he says softly. "Be alert."

[Jenara]

Drawing her bow Laurana feathers an arrow, keeping her vision fixed on the waterfall, she tries to check if there are anymore.

[JadedDM]

Looking about carefully, Laurana does not see anyone else hiding anywhere. Either the one they see is alone, or the others are just much better hidden.

[Breila]

Seeing Tanis and Laurana ready their bows, Goldmoon takes out her sling. "Should Riverwind and I keep watch on the rear, so we can't be surprised from there?" she asks.