Andraste's Chevalier

Chapter 6- Ancient Tunnels

"I was notified by Singlepipe after my fall that we were able to subdue the infernal. Knight-Lieutenant Eratus Riverwood took command and out of his own volition, went with Sergeant Bluebeard in a pursuit of the orcs. Sergeant Bluebeard's hunter's companion, Fenstring, Tinkerer Singlepipe, and Magister Sunwaker remained with the recovered child. I was not present for this unauthorized expedition so there is nothing objective to report..."

- From Patrol Report. Year 3000, 5th day of BloomingTide. Captain Elric Falmore

"Wait," Bluebeard said.

I nearly tripped over him. Again.

It was dark. There was no natural lighting this far down. The only indication that Bluebeard was in front was the smell of his pipe tobacco.

"Do we have to keep walking in complete darkness?" I asked. I stepped to the side and my helmet slammed into the side of the tunnel.

"It'll only be for a few more moments," he replied. He said the same thing only moments ago.

Easy for him to say anyway. He seemed to be able to see in the dark a lot easier than I could. I didn't know if this was a dwarf thing or a hunter thing.

We were following a trail of footprints that only he could see.

I rubbed the pommel of Captain Falmore's sword with my hand. I was half-tempted to flicker an orb of light, at least see where we were headed, even if it was just the careening tunnel.

"Lad, don't do it," Bluebeard said.

"I wasn't about to," I replied.

"I can see your fingers twitching. Remember what I told yeh," he said. I remembered. When the light from the surface dimmed, I instinctively raised a hand. When it started to glow with light, the dwarf knocked it away. He gave me an old miner's warning.

Do not bring the light above to the ground below.

On the bright side, the sun's rays weren't beating down on me and I was no longer cooking like a pot of stew. We continued walking.

"I think-Ah perfect!" the dwarf said. I felt him move away, leaving me alone in the darkness.

"Bluebeard, what are you doing?" I asked.

I heard the sound of rusted metal rubbing against rusted metal. The shuffle of...paper? Something made a squeal.

"Hold tight lad. These tunnels are old but they are dwarven, and if I am right...there we are!" he said.

Then there was a click. I heard gears shriek then roll. Then rock scraping against rock.

"Hah. Knew it! No self-respecting dwarf builds a tunnel without room for a secret stash," Bluebeard said.

I heard the shuffle of metal tools clanging against each other. Then there was a soft scrape. A dim red flame flared into being above a wooden torch. It illuminated Bluebeard's face and everything a few feet around him. He was standing by what looked like a closet that had been carved into the tunnel wall.

He passed the torch to me. "Mining torch. Can't have you trippin over me every odd moment. Not perfect, but won't attract any nasty buggers living down here," he said.

I took it, finally relieved to have some light. It only illuminated a few feet ahead but it was better than nothing.

He resumed looking through the closet. He tossed our pickaxes, shovels, helmets. Finally, he brought out a small chest.