#Lore24 – Entry #139 – Muckenmyre Month #18 – Secrets Beneath Swamp Drake Hold
From the journal of Takara, Slave Inquisitor of the Stellae Illustris, Town Marshal of Grimbridge.
The fetid scent of the swamp was heavy in the moist, vine-shrouded tunnel we found ourselves in. Even the remarkable strength of the draconic construction couldn’t withstand the combined might of the swamp and time. As we crept down the tunnel, I saw that it was lined with alcoves, each with a draconic visage carved into the walls at the rear of them, at least where the swamp hadn’t burst through or colonies of insects hadn’t nested. Ahead, torchlight flickered, and the trio of voices grew louder, perhaps a hundred feet or so down from the stairs.
I overheard some of their conversation, something about the significance of a particular statue in the next room, some laughter from the twins, sounds of exaggerated moaning and panting. Easing toward the doorway, I crouched and eased myself out to peer inside the next chamber. It was fairly large and rectangular, though the area off to the right was collapsed and partially flooded. My quarry stood at far end on the opposite side of the big chamber, before a large, carved visage of a dragon, Charity leaning against Jaggedtusk, rubbing herself against him, while Chastity was pressing her ass against the sculpture, rubbing it and making the lewd noises as she squeezed her breasts.
At least they were distracted, though there wasn’t much in the way of cover between them and us, and there was a good fifty feet of space between us. If we just rushed out and tried to surprise them, it was very likely they’d have time to get a spell or two off. Jaggedtusk had his axe resting on the floor, but leaned against its haft, so we’d have to contend with that as well.
As Chastity rubbed her ass over the sculpture, there was a shifting of stone as something clicked loudly into place, and I held my breath, tensing to make a run out of the tunnel. The twins laughed teasingly, both of them going to either side of the carving. Working fast, they probed along the runes surrounding the dragon, then started pressing at the scales and horns of the draconic head. There were more clicks, then a heavy sliding sound, a rumble of heavy, ancient machinery that vibrated the floor. Then there was a hiss of escaping air, and the draconic visage split open, ancient doors sliding apart, revealing another stairwell descending even deeper.
I looked to Satella, who had pressed herself close to me to watch the scene. I nodded toward our prey, then back to the hall, asking for her opinion on how we should proceed. With Jaggedtusk leading, one twin on either side, the trio descended into the newly revealed tunnel. She shook her head, and eased back, motioning toward the tunnel that led to the surface. In a low whisper, even though the trio were out of earshot by now, she said that we must help our comrades before giving chase, that we couldn’t risk the dangers that may lay beyond. I nodded my agreement and so we made our way back to the upper level, bypassing the prisoners again, and slipping out into the courtyard again.
I saw Jessiryn waiting and looking anxious and gave him the signal to start the attack. I won’t spend overlong on the details; needless to say, by now, the bandits were getting drunk, and their lack of magical support meant that many died not knowing what hit them, while those that had any sense at all quickly surrendered, and we had only minor scrapes and bruises for our efforts. The fight was over in minutes but took Satella and I nearly an hour to secure the survivors in a way that would ensure they gave us no trouble. I kept an eye on the door to the jail frequently, but the missing trio didn’t make an appearance as we fought off the rest.
Once we had the bandits taken care of, a dozen of them still alive, we left Abdel and Joseph behind to tend to the prisoners while the four of us chased after the primary prey.
As we approached the recently revealed passageway, Augra was on edge, not liking the tight spacing her large frame would have to deal with. Jessiryn and I led the way, while Satella took up the rear, as her eyesight was undoubtedly the worst amongst us being human. There was a faint light coming from below, enough that I could at least see the end of the stairs, and so far, I couldn’t detect anything odd in the air other than a mustiness that reminded me of a tomb. I mentioned this, and Satella advised us to be watchful for the restless dead, and of potential traps. It was entirely possible that we would find our prey dead in a few short moments. Still, I continued forward, intent upon my purpose.