Hunting south of the city, I found a tall rocky outcropping similar to the stone mines in the area. I noticed a cave entrance, though it had no door protecting it and I could see no signage or equipment to suggest mining had ever taken place there. Initially hoping I discovered an unclaimed store, I checked there was no activity aside from myself nearby, then moved to investigate.
Up close, it became obvious why no person had taken up ownership: this was not a mine. This was bigger. The dirt around the entrance was freshly turned, and various carcasses and scraps were strewn about. Something not human had otherwise claimed it for residence, perhaps many somethings. Though I was alone, I thought to inspect further. Should whatever living inside be a threat to the city, I would rather find it in its home than it find me in mine. I oiled a torch and slowly stepped down into the darkness.
The cavern was carved into many rooms, though the passages between them were very tight. I knew that if I encountered any inhabitants that disagreed with my presence I would not have a quick escape; I would have to fight my way back. Fortunately, most of the creatures I discovered were those I might expect: opportunistic wolves and scaly weak minded troodonts. Though, they seemed more at odds than usual, likely for sharing the tight quarters.
I might have left them be and made my way back out, but these troodonts gave my curiosity reason to lead me on. I found some groups of them standing very much at attention, and in formations of rank and file. They appeared to be awaiting orders, but no officer was present. At first, it seemed they would ignore my passing by, until I broke their feeble concentration by moving within reach. Their aggression was no different than any others, but their additional training was noticeable. They were certainly guards, and I decided to seek out their motivator.
Further into the dark, the tunnel opened into a broad chamber where some of the distant walls were invisibly beyond the reach of my torch. I could hear feint echoes of a dragging motion across the floor, but could not sense its location, only hearing it louder or softer as it, and I, moved about the room. The entrance was now out of sight and only the damp ground reflected my light. I recoiled each time the dragging sound drew closer. I broke into a two or three step sprint to revive, halting when I felt a small tug at the back of my leg. My torch seemed dimmer and my body weaker, as if a sudden drowsiness were overtaking me.
I reached down with my torch and found a thin line of darkened blood across my ankle, now exposed through the torn boot. Depressing the wound sent a shock of stinging pain that made me shout and jump to full standing height. I spun the torch menacingly in all directions trying to see my attacker. A purple blur streaked in front of me with a ripping noise as it tore more bits of fabric from my coverings. I swung steel and stepped forward to reveal a terrible eyeless beast of claws and carapace. It lashed wildly at me, though it stood its ground without approaching as I parried. I tried numerous tactics, but each time I stepped in with a move, its raking claws readily opened another gash. My eyelids continued to get heavier as we traded blows.
When the monster finally dropped, I collapsed as well trying to quickly tend to whatever poison it inflicted. I endured its short lived effect well enough with my supplies as I watched the creature's body disintegrate and transform. By the time I could go on, all that remained were some of the plant-like growths from its back now latched to the ground. I took them up and contained them separate from my pack. Perhaps I could use the monster's poison against another enemy.
I realized the scuffle had thrown off my bearings and I no longer knew which direction I started from. My only choice was to walk as straight as possible to an edge and follow it to a passage. I found one easily and followed it long enough to discover with good luck that it was filled with the splashes of oil I left to mark my path. I turned about and continued on.
The deeper I traveled, the sparser the occupancy. I found many dead ends and loops indicative that the builder of this place left it incomplete, and that I would likely find the last dead end soon. Much of these deeper halls and chambers were littered with loose bits of quality stone I could surely find some use for. I gathered what I could carry safely, realizing the way out would be precisely as unforgiving as the way in.
My torch had nearly burned out by the time I found the light at the end of the tunnel, as it were. I heard the scratchy voices of yet more troodonts, mixed with an intermittent bellowing of something bigger. Though the language was no less a mystery, the dominance in the louder voice made its role clear: this was the commander. I peered around the final turn into the room and immediately met eyes with him.
The leader was a massive troodont, standing twice the height of the rest, and brandishing appropriately sized armaments. He stared calmly and expectantly. He knew an intruder was on his way and had been simply waiting. He barked a one word order and his minions scurried into formation between us, pointing their spears my way. I stepped in and pointed my own weapon in defiance. They charged. They fell. The commander continued to stare.
I could not have expected his next action. He was not bothered by the loss of his comrades; he seemed almost pleased to be alone. He shifted his shield to extend an open hand toward me. At first, I thought he was about to offer some kind of truce. His gestures showed, instead, that he was demanding something. Some payment, perhaps. As if the reward for killing his ilk was a price paid to him. Through his eyes and smirk, I saw true arrogance. I had no intention of ending this journey on anyone's terms but my own. And so, I explained them.
I retrieved one of the plants from the eyeless monster. Holding it out to him, and my sword at my side, I stepped carefully toward his empty handed side. In one motion, I spun to my backhand, slicing the plant along my blade, then my blade across his side as I tumbled past. He lurched with agony and anger, and spun to meet me. I tried to step away to assess his tactics, but he quickly ducked into pursuit, barreling into me with obvious intent.
The poison did not seem to affect him physically as much as it enraged him. His swings were wide and powerful, forcing me to retreat regularly to recompose my stance. Though oversized, his movement was clumsy, allowing such brief escapes. When he closed in, I fought my way through him to escape again. The minutes this repeated were arduous, but my speed proved the advantage over his strength, and he fell like his brethren before him.
I sat in thought (and pain) for some time in the silence. While I felt some small sense of accomplishment, I realized I'd only been left with a long walk in the dark; there was no prize for me here. The city would surely be safer, but the city folk would be none the wiser. I gathered myself up and approached my slain foe. I would not be able to carry his head, so I cut from his back the largest scale I found. Large enough for a normal troodont to wear for a hat, it would certainly be evidence enough of my achievement for all to see.
I packed away my trophy and made the quiet climb out. Sleep, I think, will come easy tonight.
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