Moving cautiously along the passageway, Krud and Ildore began to sense that they were not alone. Small creatures would pass in front of them on the dusty floor, or flit above them near the roof. Still more could be determined by the yellow glow of tiny eyes that would appear and disappear around them. None of these beings, however, would show themselves in the lantern light.
After what seemed a long trek, and an encounter between Krud's thick brow and a low-hanging stalactite, the pair discerned an orange glow ahead. Ildore covered the lantern.
Approaching a slight bend in the passage, first Krud and then the Hedge-Wizard poked their heads round and looked into a vast cave with many tunnels leading from it. To their left was a great gate, iron-studded and firmly shut. Before the gate, squatting beside a small fire, was a large person (?) completely covered by a shabby hooded cloak. Every so often the cloaked-one would pick up a potsherd from a pile beside it and bring it close to the hood. A number of eyes on long stalks would then emerge to scan what was marked on the sherd.
Eventually one of the eyes turned to stare directly at where the twain lurked, transfixed.
"Come out children. Join me by the fire." The thin voice of the Many-Eyed One quavered from beneath the hood. The two adventurers, feeling a little embarrassed, bravely approached, Ildore heroically playing rear-guard behind the broad barbarian.
"Ah, its you two" piped the hooded creature.
"Have we met?" grunted Krud.
"Yes and no. Possibly not yet" was the answer.
"How glib" muttered Ildore, sotto voce.
"Indeed. The last tunnel on that wall will take you to where you call home. Now scurry along for I hear two more shady characters coming to visit my humble abode".
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| Ningauble of the Seven Eyes |
As Ildore and Krud walk into the tunnel they were directed to they hear a voice merrily call out "Fat-bellied rumour-monger. Must you forever play at peep-show?"*
Glancing back, Ildore sees two figures standing before the fire. A small man dressed all in grey, and a large red-headed man who is clearly a warrior. Six eyes on stalks have snaked out of the hood of the seated figure... Our heroes follow the tunnel for some distance.
Emerging at last into the day-light they see a large warhorse and a small pony tethered to a tree. There are bulging saddle-bags and canteens attached to the saddles of these mounts.
"I hope there's wine in one of those skins!" barks Krud, "Mount up old man! Adventure awaits!!"
"I thought it probably would" grumbles Ildore….
* quoted from Adept's Gambit by Fritz Leiber.
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