On their way...

[feathered_mages]

As soon as they return to the universe they've been frequenting, Arashi takes to the air to check some details against the maps he'd been looking over during lunch. Waltzes, like Mages, have poor visual acuity when it comes to documents, but can focus easier on moving things - like terrain below when flying.

The others, on the wagon-rutted road just outside of Sarwin, wait for a moment and adjust their belongings.

Comments

[random_xtras]

"Yes." Silver nods, her voice going even softer as she clings to his hand shyly. "And the goblins are drunk."

[feathered_mages]

"They almost make it too easy," Arashi mutters with a chuckle, as he tucks his wings close to step through the hole.

Blaze soon follows after.

Beyond the hole is a huge, damp, cave with a few small stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The floor is littered with small stones, and even the smallest sound makes echos.

A smelly pile of trash can be dimly seen along the north wall. There is a sturdy wooden door in the center of the east wall.

The trash appears to be composed of mostly bones, sticks, leaves, and rotting meat.

It couldn't say 'goblin lair' more clearly without a posted sign.

There's that rustling sound again. It's louder here, and it's not the hobgoblins talking.

((There are four giant rats in the garbage. ;) ))

[random_xtras]

Silver's fingers go up her nose as it wrinkles. "The rats aren't, though."

[feathered_mages]

"Rats?" Mistral's hand goes to a pocket as the rustling is heard again.

Which is about all the time there is before four giant rats, squeaking in an animal mix of fear/confusion/anger at the strangers disrupting their feeding, pop out of the garbage pile.

Mistral rings his bell.

"You're not keeping them," says Arashi, almost reflexively.

"If they hear that, they'll know we're coming," says Blaze, checking the wooden door. It's locked, and very heavy. The Hobgoblins can barely hear a thing where they are. But none of the Waltzes are particularly strong, or skilled in using lockpicks. Blaze is making a mental note to himself to possibly learn the skill, and considers setting the door on fire.