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[Mathew_Freeman]

Swooping forwards out of the darkness, lit by lights on the deck, came a contraption such that Karl had never seen before. It was like a large sailing-ship, but instead of sails it had two huge balloons extended over the top of it. Each had a bright light situation under it, illuminating the deck.

Under the ship were a selection of gears, cogs and levers, moving ceaselessly as it clanked it’s way along. The chain that Karl had walked along disappeared into an opening at the base of the ship, at the front, and it seemed as though the peculiar vessel was somehow moving along this chain. Karl could see that it would fit through the hoop that he was on top of, and in a moment of inspiration he dropped on to one of the balloons as it went past, snuffing his own light source as he did so. The top of the balloon had several ropes criss-crossing it, and he was able to hang on without difficulty.

The rest of the party were now able to see the ship as it slowed and pulled into the platform, coming to an easy halt. A moment later, a ramp was lowered to the ground, revealing a dark-skinned humanoid figure at the top of it.

“Drow!” whispered Aengus. “Be very careful.”

“Why?” remarked Sigurd sardonically. “Is he an uncle of yours or something?”

The figure was slender in build with light hair, and surveyed the people below him imperiously before gesturing at the Derro to come forwards. Producing a pouch of some kind, the Derro pressed it into the Drow’s hand and advanced past him onto the deck of the ship. The Troglodytes followed immediately afterwards, also paying with a small pouch. Finally, the Drow turned his attention to the party and spoke in Elven, asking their business.

A very swift conference decided that Aengus was the only one who could talk back to him, and the Warlock stepped forwards to use his diplomatic skills. After some discussion, the remains of the alchemical poison were offered up, along with a pouch of copper coins from Iben. Seeing that the Drow was about to strike Iben for his poor offer, Aegnus smoothly stepped in and spoke again, sweetening his words and (reluctantly) offering the gems that had been taken from the Hall. With a more graceful demeanour, the Drow inclined his head and invited them on board, before heading down an interior set of stairs, locking the hatch behind him to leave the passengers on deck.

In a single smooth motion, the ramp folded back up on to the ship and the whole vessel rotated one-hundred-and-eighty degrees on the chain, causing Karl to almost lose his grip in surprise. As the ship began to move back along the chain, he dropped a small message onto the deck near Aengus’ feet, letting his liege lord know he was there.

The ship sped swiftly along the chain, travelling through several of the giant hoops. Eventually it reached another wall, and as it got closer the group could see a large hole had been cut in it. Passing neatly through, the voyage continued in a second cavern. The engineering was astonishing, far surpassing anything that the companions had seen so far on their journeys.

“I need to warn you about the Derro,” spoke Aengus quietly. “They are Dwarf-kin, and share many of their skills and habits. But they are also dark and twisted, with a love of magical experimentation and slavery. They combine the two, making twisted monstrosities from their slaves to do their work for them.”

Iben shuddered at the thought, the human picturing in his mind what might happen should he be captured. Aengus continued “Lastly, they have formidable mental powers that they use in battle and to communicate amongst themselves. Do not trust, and never believe what they say. They lie more easily than any other race before back-stabbing and capturing their former ‘friends’.”

Silence descended at this words, and Iben glanced at the Derro – only to meet their gaze, as they stared, unblinking, at the adventurers before turning back to each other.

Hours passed, cold and silent, as the ship sped ever onwards.

Next time: Through the cloud of fire!