Lyuthi blinked and looked around as if that could help at all. “Uhm….hm. I didn’t see him walk past us…” She said with a frown. “He must be in the camp somewhere, I mean it’s not that big…”

Veldahar sighed, “As long as he isn’t robbing us blind…” He walked back to the group and looking around more. “Where’s that rodent of yours?” He demanded of Bast. The kankiru blinked, looking around himself. “Silver?” He called.

Jing looked around as well, sighing quietly and standing up. “You have got to be kidding me… Silver where are you?”

Lyuthi frowned, now was not the time to go missing. “Perhaps he did slip past us. Down the other fork in the cave.” She said looking to Veldahar with a smile.

Veldahar flinched, “It better not have been the forboding one… he’s not that stupid I hope?” Bast just sighed, getting ot his feet, “We’d best go find him.” He said.

“You would be surprised with Silver… He might have gone down that one just cause if felt interesting.” Jing explained, shaking her head.

Lyuthi held back the urge to laugh, so he had a sense of adventure.. “…Oh my. I agree, we should go look for him…” She really didn’t like the feeling she was getting all of the sudden, she hoped he wasn’t being foolish.

The group was on it’s feet, though Iris and Rena held back. Bast hesitated, then smiled, “Best if we stick together, just keep to the back in case anything happens.” He said. Galdrias was not moving his group though, and none of the draiks stood.

Lei nodded as he heard Bast, standing and carring Dalit with him. “Shall we head out then Bast? Hopefully the little guy didn’t get to far. I’ll keep back with Iris and Rena.”

Jing just nodded, walking by Lyuthi and Veldart, she wasn’t expecting the others to follow. “Lets go before he gets to far.”

Lyuthi frowned when the draiks didn’t move and smiled to Jing.” I would like to help in anyway I can.” She said looking to Veldahar for only a moment before stepping closer to their group.

Veldahar frowned slightly, “Lyuthi, just stay here, it’s their problem.” He said. Bast glanced at the draik, then moved on ahead of the group into the darkness, then stopped. “Anyone have a light? I can’t see a thing.”

Lei heard Bast and chuckled quietly “Sorry, I can’t breath fire.” He said before looking at the others.

Jing sighed quietly as she heard Veldahar, it was people like him that made her hate strangers.  “I’m glad we are getting out of here… I’d rather face another dragon then be around these… malairi.” She muttered to Bast, desiding to use her other language at the end, incase insulting them met they wouldn’t help.

Lyuthi scoffed at Veldahar. “I want to help them. Even if they wouldn’t help us if one of our friends was lost, I still want to. And I can help.” She said smacking her hands together(like clapping but uh once?). When she did her hands began to glow. “See?” She smiled brightly.

Veldahar looked darkly at the small rakune, then at Lyuthi’s hands. “Er…” He seemed to be at a loss for words to see her hands suddenly glowing like that. “How… did you do that!?” Bast sighed, “Coming, or are we waiting for a cry from our miniature companion?”

Jing looked at Veldahar, not liking the look, but guessed it was because of her saying more about dragons. “I vote on finding Silver now.”

Lei looked at Lyuthi and grinned “You are just full of suprises Miss Lyuthi. And if you do come with us I think we would all be thankful. Once we find our friend we can bring you back to your companions.”

Lyuthi laughed, like she knew, she just had a feeling she could do it. “Thanks Lei.” She said with a small giggle. “That would be lovely. I’ll walk beside you Bast, if that is alright?” She said walking forward and getting beside him.

Veldahar didn’t like the sound of THAT, neither did, apaprently, Galdrias, who was on his feet. “She’s not going alone!” THey said in unison, then turned to look at each other.

Jing looked at the two, shaking her head. This was just getting stupid. “Can we get going before we are all as old as Grisfam?”

Lei chuckled, looking at the two. “You are free to come then? But we should head out. There might be danger lurking in these caves, and leaving Silver on his own could prove very bad.”

Lyuthi burst out laughing as the two protested in unison. “I agree with Jing, if we don’t hurry there may not be a Silver left to save. So draw straws, anything to decide who is coming, but hurry it up” She said wiggling her fingers, as she did glitter like pieces fell from her hand. Well that was new.

Veldahar blushed, Galdrias frowned, and finally Veldahar moved forward a pace.

Bast rolled his eyes, “Let’s g…” There was a rather loud squeak from up the tunnel. “Shit!” He turned, running into the pitch black.

Jing’s ears twitched as she heard the squeek, turning and bolting into the darkness right beside Bast. “Damn it Silver!”

Lei twitched as he heard the sound and watched the two run off. “Looks like we were to slow. No time to argue now. Miss Lyuthi, we will need you at the front of the group and lead with your light. Your two friends can keep close to you for protection but there is no more time left to argue!”

Lyuthi nodded and bolted forward, weaving her way past Jing, quickly catching up with Bast. As she ran the glowing around her hands spread to most of her body, providing a lot of light. This wasn’t good! She hoped he wasn’t hurt, if he was she’d surely blame herself!

The group ran towards Silver’s cry, only to have to stop short as, after entering the less forboding tunnel, they were stopped by a giant slug that blocked their way. The creature was blind but could sense it’s food, as it had already sprayed it’s liquid at Silver, who’d just narrowly missed it by some feat, as it had been dark at the time. He was now trapped against the wall, the slug blocking his exits.

Jing stopped as she looked at the slug in shock. “What the…” She then saw Silver, though just barely. “Not good.” She muttered before bringing up her hands and trying to alter the gravity around the slug to drag it away from the exit, and Silver.

Lyuthi stopped as soon as the others did and bit her lip as she looked at the slug. Waving her hands she tried to shut off whatever triggered the glowing so it wouldn’t be so bright. “Not good!” She said as if stating the obvious helped.

“Not good indeed.” Bast muttered, dashing forward to distract the slug, only to jump back as it spat out a string of acidic saliva at the companions.

Jing jumped back as well as she saw this “Oh shit… You alright Bast?”

Lei didn’t like this at all, turning to Iris. “Take care of Dalit, and stay out of range of that thing.” He said before handing the dragon to her. “Bast, I’ll try and freeze it.” He suggested, looking at the kankiru.

Lyuthi quickly moved back to where the children were and smacked her hands together. As she did a shimmery barrier formed around the three. “I’ll protect you.” She said smiling at the young ones before turning her attention to the slug. She had to watch its movements so she could move the children when nessacary.

Iris took Dalit in her arms, keeping Rena closeby and she smiled at Lyuthi. “Thats amazing!” She said. Bast nodded, “Of course I’m fine!” He glanced at Lei, “I’ll distract it.” He said, and moved forward again, but was forced to jump back by more acid. Veldahar moved forward now, and he stabbed his sword into the slug’s side. It gave out a screech as it turned to the draik. “NOW!” Yelled Veldahar.

Lei stepped forward, taking in a big breath before blowing a cloud of freezing air right at the slug.

Jing quickly grabbed Bast, pulling him back so there was no risk of him being touched by the cloud.

Lyuthi stayed close to the kids and slowly got them to back away as Veldahar and the others attacked the slug. When she saw Jing grab Bast she froze, would Veldahar be hit!? Looking from the children to Veldahar she frowned, Veldahar could take care of himself…right?

Veldahar leaped away from the slug as the icy breath came into contact. His sword had been consumed by the acidic substance of the slug, and it turned, spraying it’s saliva across his arm, making him cry out as he hit the wall. “Back up, let’s leave!” He cried, as he saw Silver scramble to safety.

Lei looked at Veldahar as he heard his cry. Sending one more cloud of the freezing air at the slug he turned, ready to get out of there.

Jing waitied to make sure Silver was past the slug before she started quickly heading back, still holding onto Bast’s arm as she did.

Lyuthi turned to make the children(small people) run but as she heard Veldahar’s cry she turned to look at him. As the others rushed past her she pushed the children to run before waiting for Veldahar, she was NOT leaving him. She looked to her barrier and tried to extend it to him but could do nothing. “Veldahar! Hurry!” She yelled.

Bast tried to free himself from Jing’s rather insistent grip, but found himself running with her away from the slug with the rest. Veldahar cursed as he saw Lyuthi turn back, but Galdrias grabbed her and pulled her away. Veldahar moved along the edge of the cave, then managed to run past the screaming slug, and follow after the others.

Once the slug was out of sight Jing did let go of Bast, sighing quietly. “Silver why the heck did you go down there by yourself? And… are you okay?” She asked, looking over at the jerboa.

Lyuthi was about to sprint after Veldahar when she felt her body jerk back. “Wha?” She cried as she looked to Galdrias. “But Vel..” She began as she turned her head to see him running their way. Relieved she stopped resisting Galdrias’ help and ran along with him.

The slug however, wasn’t finished, and it lunged after the group, bellowing in rage. Silver had outrun everyone, yelling ahead. “Slug coming! Open the door, we gotta get out!” The ones who’d stayed behind scrambled to their feet, and to the trap door, frantically trying to get it open.

Veldahar was right behind Lyuthi now, “Come on, it can’t be that fast, we can leave the cave and re-shut the door!”

Jing looked back at the slug, swearing quietly in draconian. “That thing doesn’t know when to give up.”

Lei slowed down just a little, letting the others pass before turning and blowing out another huge cloud of freezing air to fill the tunnel. “Hopefully that slows it down…” He muttered before following everyone else.

Lyuthi ran with Galdrias but kept looking to make sure Veldahar was coming. Seeing the slug chasing them she let out a surprised yelp and sped up, hoping the doors would open. “I would like it very much if someone killed that beast!”

The group piled up as they reached the exit, where others were frantically trying to open the mechanism. “It’s stuck!” Came Silver’s voice. “You broke the mechanism, you idiot!” Came another.

Jing looked over at the others as she heard the voices. “You have got to be kidding me…” She muttered before looking towards the slug that was coming their way.

Lei came to the exit last, hearing them as well before turning and making another cloud to try and slow down the slug, but this time it was a gas that slowed down the body when inhailed. Hopefully it worked on slugs to. “What now…?” he asked before bringing out his sword.

Lyuthi made her way to Veldahar when they all stopped. “Let me see what it did to you..” She said very concerned about what the salvia did. She looked at the others for a brief moment then focused on Veldahar.

“We can’t stay and figure out the mechanism.” Veldahar said, turning as well, but he’d dropped his sword, useless as it was to him broken. “Galdrias, get them to the other tunnel, we’ll follow that one.” He said before moving Lyuthi back away from the slug, “I’m fine, we’ll have time for that later.” He said, pushing her to follow the others, “Now go!”

Galdrias nodded, and shouted to the others to get moving, they took swords and formed a wall, harrying and attacking the slug, which seemed lethargic from the cold, as the others ran past back up to the second tunnel.

Lei helped with attacking the slug, once in a while blowing more of the freezing air at it to try and keep it slowed down.

Jing watched the others for only a moment before running through the second tunnel with the others. Even though she did have a sword, she knew she was horrible at using it right now and would get in the way.

“But…” She said about to protest but thought better of it and ran with the others. She’d never forgive herself if he was hurt, well worse than he already was.

The swords didn’t do much and if embedded too deep, the metal was melted away by the acid of the slug’s body. As the group got away down the tunnel, more of the warriors followed, until only Lei, Bast and Veldahar stood with the slug. “Go!” Bast pulled Veldahar away, “Lei, one last blast, then you too!”

Lei nodded as he heard Bast “Sure thing!” He called, taking a step back before sending out one more large cloud of the freezing air and hurried after Bast and Veldahar.

As the rearguard ran to the tunnel, they saw Silver tugging on Grisfam’s robes, the mage rebelliously standing guard at the entrance to the tunnel. “I know this really marvellous spell, it’s quite useful in times like these…” He was saying, “Now how did it go?”

Lyuthi ran with the others, but only so far that she could still see Veldahar, and be considered at a ‘safe distance.’ Veldahar had no weapon, what was he doing up there!?

Jing was behind Grisfam and Silver a little, looking at them confused. “Grisfam! Come on we have to go!” She insisted, watching the others coming their way. Was the slug still following?

Bast and the others caught up to Grisfam, just as the old mage remembered his spell. As Lei ran past him he let loose with a fireball that… missed the slug and hit the roof. There was a loud boom, and the cave shook.

Jing watched in shock “Grisfam! What if you bring the cave down on us? Come on we need to keep moving!” She told him, grabbing the wizard’s sleeve.

The cave did seem to be falling, as a huge section of rock fell from the roof, onto the slug. The rear guard turned and fled down the cold corridor, as their way out was sealed by falling rock.