Astra and Fred wait in the dark tunnel, both watching the unconscious necromancer by the dim light cast by Fred's eyes. For a long time neither one speaks. As their silence stretches on, Astra's hearing recovers enough to pick up on other sounds deeper in the mountain tunnels. The occasional drip of water ticking out the growth of stalactites somewhere farther down. The odd snippet of what might be voices, probably goblinoid, that were much too distorted by echos and distance to glean any information from. Once, something which may have been some sort of crude cart rumbled overhead.
Through all this, Belboz continues to breathe slow, shallow breaths as he lay unconscious on the rocky floor. It is actually Fred who breaks the silence first, whispering, "Do you think they're talking about your dog?" "What?" "The voices. Weren't you listening? They've been making me hungry." Astra is somewhat taken aback by Fred's ability to make out the muddled conversation, but quickly readies herself for taking action. "Dragons must be adapted to listening in caves like this - I can't make out a thing. I assume they're planning to eat him?" Fred nods. There's no question that they'll have to mount a rescue. "But what about Belboz? We can't leave him here." "We have to. There's nothing more we can do here. If he has any neck injuries moving him could kill him, so he has to stay still. If we can bring back some food or some blankets, maybe even a healing salve, he'll have a better chance. We'll need food sooner or later, too." Astra can see the reluctance in Fred's eyes - which are quite a bit more expressive than she expected from anything with slit pupils - but as he thinks about it the reluctance hardens into resolve. "Then let us save both of our friends," he hisses. "Can you fight without a weapon?" "I'll be able to take care of myself," Astra responds, glad she wouldn't have to argue with the knight-turned-dragon about being part of the action this time. "If Velus is indeed their captive, I will get him out while you keep as many of them busy as you can. Don't use your lightning until we're clear."
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1/6/2015 9:14:46 AM
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