The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 13

Erion, Tikana, Magon, and Huffey stepped outside the room. "By all means, hold onto the chain as tightly as you can." Norder told his allies, holding a torch that Huffey had given him. "The platform, despite being enchanted, will likely wobble a little when it moves, so don't let go, no matter what! When you reach the bottom, jump off immediately. The platform contacting the rugged wall may knock you off balance. And whatever you do, do not move at all until you reach the bottom. Got it?"

"We've got this! Right, guys?" Asked Erion energetically.

"Just as ready as you are." Replied Magon.

"I'm always ready!" Huffey claimed.

Tikana moved nervously, her fingers tensing together. "I forgot... I said I was usually prepared for most of this stuff, but..." She gulped heavily. "...I have motion sickness."

"Just hold on and brace yourself, Tikana." Norder encouraged. "If you feel the need to vomit, do so when you reach the bottom. The dungeon's already filled with junk."

"Just don't vomit on us, lass!" Joked Huffey.

"I-I won't." Replied Tikana, slightly shaking in her movements.

Norder smiled. "Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. I'll be waiting for you outside the mountain, I believe there's an exit somewhere. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for any more orcs." He stepped back into the room, "Until then, farewell."

After the company said their goodbyes, Erion, Huffey, Tikana, and Magon stepped onto the platform. Norder put the levers back in their previous positions, before walking away into the darkness. Erion and his allies were quick to grab onto the chain, especially Tikana. After the loud click occurred again, the company began moving diagonally on the platform as the incline rattled. "Don't look down." Warned Magon.

"I-I think I already did." Trembled Tikana. Her face was as green as a cabbage.

Erion gripped tightly as the wobbly stone platform carried the heavy weight of the company. "Man, did I really make it this far?" He spoke under his breath. He looked around the room, and he saw a multitude of caves, including the one leading to Deadeye's lair. But what surprised him the most was another large cave, in the cave at the other end of the room. This one, unlike Deadeye's lair, had torches to light up the way. But what surprised him the most was a single solid path in the middle of the cave between two long pools of molten rock. The path had a large minecart and a track. Connected to the track next to the minecart was a lever. That minecart was also emanating a faint red glow.

"There's a minecart..." Erion remarked. "Why would someone put one in such a dangerous environment?"

"I believe it has something to do with this mountain's past," Magon replied. "The goblin slaves must have used it as a mining vehicle. Deadeye likely forced them to do so to in order to collect minerals to craft armor and weapons for the mountain's guards. The aura must be there to protect the cart from lava and to prevent it from falling off the tracks."

"Whatever it is, I wouldn't want to ride in it!" Groaned Tikana.

The wobbly platform moved down the incline as the rope pulled it down, with the company sans Norder tightly holding on. The creaking of the incline echoed throughout the room coupled with the mass of dead orcs gave off a nightmarish atmosphere. Unexpectedly, Tikana's foot slipped.

"Ah!" She screamed, barely holding on. "I'm gonna fall!"

"I've got ya', lassie!" Shouted Huffey. He briskly grabbed Tikana's slipping hand, and pulled her back into the platform. "Here ye' go!"

"Thank you!" Tikana replied with gratitude. "I could have fell and then thrown up all over myself!" She stated.

"We're almost at the bottom!" Confirmed Magon. "We're close to the end, approximately thirteen feet away. Let's wait for a spot so we can jump off without harming ourselves."