A Change in Priorities

"I know that there is - or at least was - an exit on the Aqualarian side of the mountains," Astra said. "That was how I entered the caves, fifty years ago. But I've no idea how to find it from here, or even from where I spent fifty yerars entrapped in the jewel."

"My father must have had supplies," Adele pointed out. "However powerful your magic, you still need food. If we can find our way back almost as far as the blocked exit, then we can pick up the passage that leads back to his quarters."

"If we can remember the way back and if the passage to Belboz's cave hasn't caved in," Exotica said darkly.

"I think that Adele is right," Astra said. "Food is now a higher priority than escape. If we'd known that it would take so long to find our way out, we'd have headed there as soon as we found the entrance blocked."

Matthias indicated that he agreed with Adele so that, though Fred and Exotica had their reservations, they were outvoted and the party attempted to find its way back to Belboz's chamber.

"At least there have been no more earthquakes," Fred said as they retraced their steps. "The battle must be over. I wonder who won?"

"Perhaps they both died," Exotica said.

"I doubt that we could have been that lucky," Adele remarked darkly.

1. The party became even more thoroughly lost.
2. The final tunnel back to Belboz's quarters proved to be blocked by a cave-in.
3. They came to a place where a crevasse had opened up. The others would be able to climb down and then up the far side, but the armless Astra had a major problem.
4. They made it to Belboz's lab, only to discover that Elaine was already there.
5. Meanwhile what had Elaine discovered in the lab?

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