Chapter Six Hundred And Forty – 640

Chapter Six Hundred And Forty – 640

Standing atop the hidden cliff, they were confronted with two distinct problems. The first was the height. If there had ever been a ramp or stairs leading to this section of the Low Roads, it had been demolished for centuries. There were no ways to reach the cavern below aside from jumping or flight.

The second problem was tied somewhat to the first: to reach the southbound tunnel, they would have to pass uncomfortably close to the fortress town.

Felix was nervous when Yintarion and Evie slipped ahead to scout the way. Thankfully, the latters stealth and the formers diminutive size proved more than capable of circumventing the towns guards. The squared cavern that Hammerhelm sat within, had two exits. One to the north and blocked by the walls and fortress, and one to the south, which was also blocked by a small fortification.

When the two of them returned, one flying and the other skipping up the vertical cliff as if she weighed nothing, they outlined the path ahead.

Once were down there, we just gotta hug the wall. Evie dragged her finger through a layer of dirt, sketching the layout of what theyd seen. Stone simple, really. They got shit for Perception, so with Felixs Abyssal Skein it shouldnt be too much of a problem.

Yin landed in the dirt beside the crude drawing. Indeed. From there we need to pass through the small wall theyve constructed along the Low Road. It appears to be no more than a dozen strides across, containing two turrets where a number of those Ironclads are put up.

Did you spot wardings? Laur asked.

Yes. I saw two designed to trip if anyone were to climb over the wall, and another was inscribed into the tunnels ceiling. Presumably to prevent aerial threats.

So even if we get down there, we gotta sneak through this thing? Beef asked. Howre we gonna do that without bringing the whole citadel down on us?

Id say the real problem is getting these down there, Harn grunted, still cradled in Eagins arms. The man was sweaty and feverish, but he stubbornly refused to lapse back into unconsciousness. He tapped the back of his gauntlet against the Eidolons shoulder. No offense, but you aint exactly stealthy.

The small Human is right, Orun rumbled.

Harn frowned. Small?

We can survive a leap from these heights, but the sound of our impact cannot be covered by your Skill, my Lord.

Felix chewed his lip. Then we make another way.

Tzfell cleared her throat, and the tattoos on her head wriggled. You cannot tunnel through this place. Apart from the dangers Ive outlined, if a citadel is close that means they will have wardings designed to detect such things.

I dont plan on tunneling. Felix stood, dusting off his knees. Line up, everyone. I need to test how much you weigh.

After a few minutes of stress testing, Felix stood at the edge of their overgrown clifftop and considered the drop. While the shape of the cavern had been squared by the Dwarves, they hadnt smoothed the walls beyond the first twenty feet. Up near where they stood, the walls were craggy and rough, rife with cracks and crevices.

Or, as he was calling them, anchor points.

Stone Shaping.

Rime Shaping.

Green Shaping.

Cardinal Flame.

His insides felt like a nest of bees with so many Skills active at once, but it wasnt painful, just odd. It didnt usually feel like that. Thick Mana flowed from Felixs feet, slipping from the edge of the cliff before clinging to the walls. It flashed in his Manasight, shifting from dusty brown to icy purple, to green-gold and bright orangeuntil it froze, solidifying just feet away into a dark blue stone chased with red-gold veins. A platform, ten feet wide and twice that in length. A Fiendstone walkway.

Right. Stick close. Im not leaving this thing up for long. Felix stepped out onto the walkway and it groaned slightly. Quickly, he reshaped the supports and the sound stopped.

Felix grinned. My man.

Across the threshold, suspended and shrouded, they passed unseen into the Low Roads.

Abyssal Skein is level 93!

Green Shaping is level 94!

Rime Shaping is level 97!

Three entire hours later, their slow motion crawl came to an end in a lesser used side tunnel. With a groan of relief, Felix demolished the last trace of his Fiendstone path as his friends stretched their arms and legs.

Didnt think Id be so happy to stand on the ground, Archie said, but his laugh cut short as he met Harns sweaty gaze. Oh. Sorry. Ow!

Evie gripped the front of the Delvens jacket and lifted him up. Watch your mouth.

Archie put up his hands in defeat. Okay! I said I was sorry.

Whatever. She dropped him, and he landed on his rear.

Enough chatter, Felix said. Were away from Hammerhelm, but Ive no idea when some Dwarves might come strolling through. We keep all talking to a minimum, and we get moving. Now.

Now afoot, they were able to move far faster, especially due to the far better conditions of the Low Road itself. Unlike the disused tunnel theyd wandered into, this stretch was properly maintained, marked, and lit. Inscribed lamps abounded, illuminating the road and the plentiful metal placards edged in molded golden knotwork and sharp-edged Dwarven runes. The Low Roads version of highway signs, they aided Tzfell as she guided them all to the south and west.

Until, perhaps a day later, they hit a wall.

This is as far south and west as the Low Roads can take us, Tzfell said. If we continue on this path, it will lead us back east for several leagues, before turning north once more.

Felix reached out and placed a dark hand against the carved stone. The Low Road curved through here, cutting through the deeps like a subway tunnel. Is there no exit?

She shook her head. None that I can find. Perhaps there are secret ones, such as the Rockshapers atelier, but I cannot guess where they might lie.

So, what? We go back? Beef asked.

We may have to

Im not goin back, Archie declared. He jerked a thumb toward Evie. Not even if handsy over here dragged me.

Drag you? Youre small enough to kick halfway to Red Shield.

Enough bickering, Vess demanded, cutting them off. We are all of us tired and on edge. Our food runs low and our water lower. Felix. My plan was to head southwest, but that seems impossible now. What is your decision?

Felix still had his hand on the wall. The thing had been carved by Dwarven craftsmen in ancient Ages, reinforced by powerful magic, and even now it thrummed with active wards that he could just barely see.

And it would not stop him.

We dig.