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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8306439" data-attributes="member: 2012">Xander shrugs and lets Quinn get up onto Angus's back first. The duergar mounts the centaur next and offers a hand up to Maur. The ordained champion seems hesitant, at first, but soon relents. Saving the people of Carnell is more important than his pride.Xander tells them the way to the secret passage up on the top level of the temple. Once there, he tells Angus, through Cruel Justice, how to get it open. The design is well hidden but when Angus activates the secret door, the wall of the corridor slides open."My design," Xander says with pride.Angus makes his way into the passage carefully and once Xander assures them there aren't any traps on the other side, the Harqualian centaur is soon trotting through the underground passage. his magical horseshoes increase his speed well beyond what anyone else could have paced without having to rush headlong into danger and risk fatigue."You are welcome, my friend," Cruel Justice replies. "In truth, the more of them we find, the more of the story I remember. Being lost to time can lead to a lost of memory."Hours of magically enhanced trotting later, Xander begins complaining about his butt being sore. The group takes a break, allowing Angus a chance to rub several itches against a large rock. The other stretch out their sore muscles."We will overtake them soon," Cruel Justice whispers. "You should try to find out how many in the horde.""I don't recommend that," Xander says shaking his head. "If we get to close, they will discover us and you don't have enough blades here to take on Tarrak and his ghasts, and don't underestimate the danger of the forge's hell hounds.""You do not get a vote," Cruel Justice intones.Quinn and the two dwarves mount up once again and Angus trots off into the darkness with CJ's light leading the way. An hour later, Angus hears them. The horde is ahead in a large chamber. At the edge of the chamber, CJ douses his light and the trio of adventurers can see what they will be facing."More than I thought," Xander whispers to Maur. "A lot more."Maur can see that there are dozens of ghouls and ghast in Tarrak's horde, as well as some zombies. The four hell hounds are obvious and half-a-dozen men dressed similar to the Prelate stand guard around the Ghast Lord, Tarrak. The horde seems to have made camp like they are waiting for something."We must get to Carnell and warn Lady Pendour," Cruel Justice says. The blade sounds worried. "I can sense the chaos. It is troubling.""We have to sneak around them," Xander suggest.Maur can see that there is a way. A side passage splits off from the cavern roughly 200 feet before the encampment of undead and cultists. If they are stealthy, the trio of adventurers and duergar will be able to slip by in the darkness. The ordained champion looks at Xander and can sense the duergar has no desire to get caught by Tarrak's forces.Xander leads the way to the entrance of the side passage. Angus moves as quietly as possible with Maur and Quinn taking up the rear. Then, there is the sound of a horn blowing. The four unlikely allies freeze in place. The sound seems to echo throughout the cavern. Then, Angus sees it. Coming out of another side passage, on the far side of the cavern, is a small band of what looks to be more undead and Malotoch cultists. In the lead is a hulking figure that towers over the others. It looks strange. It could be some sort of troll."By Vulcan," Xander gasps. "That's a cave troll.""Keep moving," CJ insists.Angus keeps one eye on the troll as Xander leads the trio of adventurers into the side passage. Once they put the cavern and the horde behind them, Maur, Quinn, and Xander mount up and Angus is soon trotting through the darkness once again but with a bit more urgency."If you can, my friend, go faster!" Cruel Justice suggest. "We must get to Carnell quickly!"</blockquote>

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