Master Of None

”The caves we need to pass through should be well cleared since they are on a popular mining route. I’m certain that the golems have already cleared and checked the path. The only dangerous potion will be the unexplored route that we have started to map. It is smaller and we can’t get the golems to fit so it is all up to those we bring as guards.” Zenith was explaining the path they would be taking. It seemed like a maze to Walker and Su since they were not used to caves. 

”What are the dangers in the area that you know of? Any rough footing or monsters?” Walker thought it was best just to outright ask since Zenith seemed to have recorded a great deal of what she had already noticed. 

”Rock horned vipers. There is a large nest there. But we shouldn’t have a problem. We don’t have any pale salamanders with us and they will more or less ignore our group. But if you see any eggs do not touch them or else all the rock horned vipers will go after you.” This was very good advice. 

”Onyx, Midnight, did you hear her? Do not touch or approach the rock horned viper eggs in their nest. They will attack us all if we do.” Walker wanted to be sure Onyx and Midnight who were slightly behind them heard and understood the danger. 

”Sister and I will be sure to remain careful,” Onyx replied which put them at ease since they knew he would make sure Midnight didn’t try anything either. 

”What about the ruins themselves? Will we need to know about anything?” Su knew that the caves were filled with the rock horned viper but worried about what might lurk in actuality ancient ruins. 

”No. Not at all. They are a mystery. We located the entrance because of a small cave in. Then when we went to look we encountered some of the yellow slime pests. We needed to retreat after losing all our equipment. ” Zenith looked like she was still not done mourning the lost equipment and paused for a moment. 

”The ruins we often find have some form of burials since they are below the ground. The most dangerous we have encountered are high tier undead monsters. However, we also have dealt with ghosts, some monsters that remain dormant until more air flows, and I even saw a golem that formed in a ruin.” Zenith didn’t do much to ease their worries. It seemed that the ruins could hold any number of dangers. 

”If they are undead I think we can handle them. But if they are ghosts, I have no clue how to fight them. A golem will depend on its strength. Other than that I can’t say for anything more than that.” Walker was worried that they would face a powerful golem and have trouble battling it in a tight walled ruin. 

”Oh, ghosts aren’t a problem. They just play tricks, hide tools, follow you creepily, and sometimes activate traps. They can be warded off by light though.” Zenith spoke like having a monster set off traps was no big deal at all. 

”I know the path is easy now, but if we will be facing traps I recommend that I take the lead. My defense should be able to handle many traps even if they are poisoned.” Su had the thought that her strength would be needed. At her words, the earth elemental spirit was showing interest. It liked the fact that she was willing to take the lead in danger. 

”I may be a map maker, but I do have some trap detecting skills. I would not be able to explore and discover new places to map without them. But if you take the lead I will be a lot more comfortable. You seem like you could block anything.” Zenith already held Su in very high regard since she had saved her from the yellow slime. But having her take the lead again just increased the respect. 

Walker had brought up the map that Zenith had given him since she had long memorized all the maps she had seen. ”I have no idea how you can keep all this straight. It says there are discerning markings on the caves but I can’t seem to find them anywhere.” 

”Really? They are so easy to spot. Just always look up to the top right hand side of the cave. There should be a series of runes or marking that show the netter and number variant of the cave.” Zenith pointed it out and there indeed was a marking. However, Walker still struggled to head or tails of it. 

”I will just need to believe you on that.” Walker decided he would just go with it since he didn’t understand the dwarves’ short hand. ”Hey, weren’t we supposed to stop and talk to the king of the deep?” Walker realized that Zenith had mentioned that too but they had been directed down a different path. 

”I sent a communication to him while you were resting. I just needed to let him know that I was returning to exploration and that we would be going to the newly found ruins. He sent out golems to double check the path there for us. That’s why it’s so clean.” Zenith appeared very proud of her forward thinking. This also made a lot of sense since the path they were on was exceptionally clear of any small rocks or debris from mining. 

Midnight and Onyx had been exploring the sides of the caves themselves and were slightly annoyed that it had been cleaned up. The two had been playing their own game of search since they wanted to bring back more items and treasure. The fire and dark spirit had been joining them in this game along with the other earth elemental spirit. Yet, when they began to approach the narrow cave that Zenith mentioned Midnight perked her head up.

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