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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 2348131" data-attributes="member: 3285">The Children of Leviathan - Part 8a: The CavesAs they approached the island, they could see an ancient vine-encrusted temple atop the cliff at the far end of the cove, some distance away.  “That’s where the Children of Leviathan make their homes,” said Kham, pointing over Cal’s shoulder at the temple.  “I escaped through there,” he pointed at the small beach on the western edge of the cove.  A cave entrance lay beyond.They landed and made their way into the dark cave.  Despite its proximity to the water, it was dry.  It reeked of decaying fish and seaweed.  “At the rear of this cave is a damp passageway that slopes downward,” said Kham.  “It leads to a pool and steps up to a larger cavern with a hole in the roof.  I remember seeing a winch mounted on the edge of the hole when I fled, so I suspect they must be keeping their booty or supplies there. Look!”He pointed to a pile of creates near one wall.  They had a Mhyrcian merchant stamp on them.  “Cargo of the Dauntless,” said Vlad.  Hanging on the far end of the cave were four water skins and a gourd.“Just exactly how did you escape?” asked Ilmarė.“Through here,” Kham pointed at the passageway that descended into darkness.“Maybe you’re still a little dehydrated,” said Vlad.  “That passageway is filled with water.”Kham shook his head.  “No, no, no.  It was dry when I was here.”“High tide,” said Bijoux.  “How far is it to the cave?”“Far,” said Kham.  All the talking tired him out.  “Far enough that I don’t think you can swim it.”Cal loosened the straps that held Kham and plopped him on the ground.“Ow,” said Kham.He sniffed the gourd and then took a swig of it.  Flashing his companions a wide, toothy grin, he dove into the inky water and disappeared from sight.“He’s not by any chance part-frog, is he?” asked Kham.“I think he’s more reptile, less amphibian,” said Vlad.“Then he’s a dead reptile,” said Kham.  He closed his eyes.  “Wake me when it’s over.”Moments later Cal resurfaced.  He reared back and vomited a huge amount of seawater.  “It lets you breathe water,” said the Ss’ressen.  Then he roughly picked up Kham.  His eyes fluttered open.  “Wha…?”“Drink,” said Cal, shoving the gourd into his mouth and upending its contents.  Kham sputtered in surprise as the liquid poured down his throat.“Wait a minute,” said Kham, “if you think I’m going to go down there strapped to your back you are out of scaly mind! What if the potion only works on lizards?”“Then you will drown,” said Cal.  He tightened the straps and this time tied Kham so that they were back to back.  Cal threw the gourd to the others.“I want to be strapped to somebody else!” said Kham, looking around desperately for sympathy. “Why am I attached to the suicidal alligator?”“Drink.  Then follow,” said Cal.  Before Kham could say any more, he dove into the water.“Will they be alright?” asked Bijoux, peering into the contents of the gourd. She sipped from the gourd.“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine,” said Ilmarė.  “Just think of it as Kham getting what he deserves.”Vlad took a swig of the gourd and dove into the water. “What did he do?” asked Bijoux.Ilmarė finished off the contents of the gourd.  “What didn’t he do?” she responded.  Then she dove into the water.Bijoux sighed. “I hate water,” she said.Then she followed Ilmarė into the cold water of the passageway.</blockquote>

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