P A R A G O N
Caden accepted the lytirisyte as it was handed to him. He closed his fist around it gently, a look and a nod of gratitude crossing his features. He remained close by as the twins dressed themselves, his vigilance lending to the security of them drying and redressing. He tucked the storm gem into one of the pouches on his hip. Once Kala and Kaus were properly dressed, he hefted his sword and joined them on the journey back up to the surface. It was as they were squeezing their way back through the cramped passageway that Caden came to a heightened alert.
The sound of rumbling and grinding rock reached their ears. Quickly Caden signaled for both Kala and Kaus to crouch down and make themselves as invisible as possible. No sooner had the three of them found cover and crouched, a massive creature burst through a wall not far away. A writhing mass of bone and flesh that carved through the stone with ease. Caden gripped his sword more tightly, his wings tucked in close as he stared at the creature without blinking, fear evident in his gaze. On and on its mass went, sliding through the stone like some twisted centipede made of bone, sinew and flesh. When finally it passed, Caden let out a breath.
Carefully, the Orkhan-Avialae rose to his feet.
“We need to be quick. I do not want to stick around if the Bone Mother is this close. I only pray that noone has been unfortunate enough to get caught in her path.” He shuddered then gestured for the twins to continue following him.
In time, they reached the edge of the patrolled section of the Warrens. The sight of the armed Avialae Sky Guards was there to welcome them as they made it back to the entrance that had ushered them into the dark below. Several groups of young Avialae and even some non-Avialae travelers were making their way back to the Yawning Chasm that served as entrance to the First Deep. Several robed Circle mages moved forward to greet the groups that were making their way back to the surface. They were accompanied by armed Sky Guards. Injured were grabbed by the soldiers and brought over to the mages to receive what healing they could administer there. Caden walked with Kaus and Kala until they were safely out of the reach of the dark below. He then stopped.
“This is where we part ways, my friends.” Caden flexed his wings, stretching them before turning to extend a hand to each of the twins.
“Go. You have earned your way. My journey is not over, however.” He gave the two of them a bright smile before bowing and turning to return into the Deeps of the Warrens.
The sound of rumbling and grinding rock reached their ears. Quickly Caden signaled for both Kala and Kaus to crouch down and make themselves as invisible as possible. No sooner had the three of them found cover and crouched, a massive creature burst through a wall not far away. A writhing mass of bone and flesh that carved through the stone with ease. Caden gripped his sword more tightly, his wings tucked in close as he stared at the creature without blinking, fear evident in his gaze. On and on its mass went, sliding through the stone like some twisted centipede made of bone, sinew and flesh. When finally it passed, Caden let out a breath.
Carefully, the Orkhan-Avialae rose to his feet.
“We need to be quick. I do not want to stick around if the Bone Mother is this close. I only pray that noone has been unfortunate enough to get caught in her path.” He shuddered then gestured for the twins to continue following him.
In time, they reached the edge of the patrolled section of the Warrens. The sight of the armed Avialae Sky Guards was there to welcome them as they made it back to the entrance that had ushered them into the dark below. Several groups of young Avialae and even some non-Avialae travelers were making their way back to the Yawning Chasm that served as entrance to the First Deep. Several robed Circle mages moved forward to greet the groups that were making their way back to the surface. They were accompanied by armed Sky Guards. Injured were grabbed by the soldiers and brought over to the mages to receive what healing they could administer there. Caden walked with Kaus and Kala until they were safely out of the reach of the dark below. He then stopped.
“This is where we part ways, my friends.” Caden flexed his wings, stretching them before turning to extend a hand to each of the twins.
“Go. You have earned your way. My journey is not over, however.” He gave the two of them a bright smile before bowing and turning to return into the Deeps of the Warrens.
