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The Ancient Paths - Path I

Dowkan stops dead in frustratation and utters some choice curses as Hrolf increases the distance between them. "Sometin ain't right here," he mumbles to himself. Setting his mouth, the dwarven warrior starts back to Silverdown at the run. "Sodden humans!"[sblock=ooc]Dowkan has the Endurance feat and a Constitution of 16, so he should be able to cover the distance at a run.[/sblock]
 

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~ Dowkan ~

Dowkan gives one last angry look at the figure of Hrolf moving further away towards the caves and turns back to Silverdown. As he brings his head around, he finds Hrolf looming over him. His eyes glow a deep purple and he grabs Dowkan's shoulders roughly in an inhumanly strong grip.
"It's time to wake up."

Dowkan awakes in a cold sweat on a marble floor. The room around him is likewise crafted from marble and circular in shape. Six towering circular portals are spread out equally around the room. One has a puddle of water at its base, another has scorch marks surrounding the marble flooring around it, at the base of another there is a large accumulation of dust and sand, and around one to Dowkan's left, the sound of incessant winds blow. The two others don't seem to have much distinguishing between them.
At a large oaken desk in the center of the circular room, a sagely figure sits studying an open tome. Hearing the panting Dowkan behind him, the figure turns and his eyes go wide in shock.
"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here!" The man rises quickly and rushes over to Dowkan. He helps Dowkan to his feet and begins shepherding the dwarf towards the two plain portals. "You must hurry. Before He returns. No, not that one. That one isn't complete yet." The man leads Dowkan away from the portal in the center to the one next to it. "In here. Quickly!"
The man practically pushes him into complete darkness.

Dowkan awakes on the cold stone floor in the lighted chamber he remembers meeting the others near.
How he got to the caves is a mystery.
 

In shock from the sudden transition, Dowkan allows himself to be shepherded by the obviously non-agressive man. His wits slowly start to return to him and he quickly asks "Who?" as he is bundled through the portal.

"This ain't a good sign," he mumbles to himself. Shaking his head, he stands and looks about him before starting in the direction he remembers the exit to the caves being. "Ain't no one gonna believe me," he adds as he draws his masterfully crafted waraxe that Nae'talis was generous enough to loan him.
 


"The elf has chosen to remain inside. Apparently he does not recognize an unconscious guard and an open cell door as sufficient authority to end his incarceration," Nae'talis says dryly, as he stares at the diminishing figure of Dowkan head for the horizon.
 

Now sitting in the bed in his cell, the curious moon elf in him couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the others. He wanted to go after Hrolf, but not as much as he wanted the Tyrrans to let him go without pursuit.

He'd see them again in any case. Either Dowkan's message was legitimate and they'd send another to get Hildor (he didn't think that was likely), or it wasn't and the mage would be back shortly, brought there by the Tyrrans, and accompanied by Dowkan.

Now free of any obligations, his mind wandered to what he was going to do when they let him go. There was really nothing to go back to in Silverymoon but memories. He wanted to get revenge for the elemental attack, but at the moment that was beyond his abilities.

I suppose I should practice. This group could be helpful to that end, and Nae'talis might even lead him to Mars eventually. As long as he was doing it for his own benefit, and not for the Tyrrans or the Red Wizards.

Then he reminded himself, That's when they let me out. With the Tyrrans sense of justice, the punishment for not showing respect for the laws could be a very long time.

With that the elf laid back across the bed and tried to go back into his trance.
 
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”Unconscious? How did this happen? Even if the cell door was open, that was not the message telling you, you where free to go. If any of my brothers approach use, please stay quiet and let me do the talking” Looking at the quickly retreading form of Dowkan, ”We should get the elf, there is no saying what trouble he will get into if they find him in the presents of unconscious guards.”
 

Nae'talis simply shrugs as he follows the cleric back into the garrison. If it came to question he could always play dumb, thought the thought of it pained him mentally.

The lazy guard was sleeping for all he knew, and this Dowkan though admittedly highly suspect at the moment seemed genuine in his announcement that Braggi had let them go. Why would he have reason to doubt? Yes, that would be his story if the half-giant meant to put him to the question over this turn of events.
 
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~ Dowkan ~

Dowkan travels the familiar tunnels of the cavern complex towards the entrance. The only sounds of life are of the dwarven warrior himself; the caves are eerily quiet, giving Dowkan an apprehensive feeling of being watched. At the edge of his darkvision, the blackness seems to stir, bubbling in on him, but when he focuses on the disruption, all is still.
After a short time, Dowkan comes to the chamber where the dead ogre Logbrag made his home. It reeks of death and decay, but the body of the ogre has been removed; probably by the Tyrran soldiers stationed to watch over the caves.
The entrance, or exit in this case, to the caves is bathed in sunlight. How long had Dowkan been asleep?

~ Hildor ~

Hildor can hear the sounds of the guard down the hall fidgeting restlessly in his sleep.

~ Hrolf & Nae'talis ~

When Hrolf and Nae'talis enter the garrison, they find two soldiers holding a fast conversation.
"...the other half were asleep at their meals! I knew we shouldn't have left the mage with his book. The Thayan can not be trust...!" The soldier cuts off abruptly when he notices Hrolf escorting Nae'talis into the garrison. "Brother Hrolf. Where did you find him?" He turns to the other and points towards the cellblock. "Check on Ben! The other one might've escaped too!"
 

"The other one is too cowardly to have moved, do not chafe your armor, Tyrran," Nae'talis remarks, as he nudges past Hrolf to calmly walk further into the room, demonstrating that he is not there under duress. He waves his hand dismissively at the soldiers stares, likely at his casual display of freedom in front of them. He leans on his recently reacquired staff and stares at the guards stonily, waiting for them to gather their senses.
 

Into the Woods

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