Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[SeriousConcentrate]

Noel shrugged.

"_{If it happens, it happens. I don't think the creatures of this world are aware of exactly what challenge they will be attempting if they attack us.}"

[Haspen]

Akk soon stopped, and looked toward the tower; everyone could see bright blue light emanating from it between the hills, possibly startling those who didn't see the tower.

"Hm, the two-legs sentries have judged you. You can safely enter the underground and visit Fort Arrival, but no further for now. They wish to question you, too."

"I thought it will be other way around. It is I who have questions-"

"Your desires can wait." With a stoic expression on Akk's face, and a grimace of displeasure on Aliberti's, the centaur continued forth, while Aliberti brooded.

"_{I guess neither my brother nor his outfit look important enough to get him everywhere, hm?}" Princess Rosana whispered to Kerr, who happened to be near her left side.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Noel got out his journal, already ready to start writing down details of this 'Fort Arrival' and what sort of people they would find within.

[Swordstar]

_{"Indeed. It will be interesting to see how he deals with not being able to rely on being a prince. It will be interesting too to see this place and the people."}

[Xanmyral]

Aurelian was silent as the marched, the man trying to keep his min preoccupied by spying around at the various features. That is to say, the ash. There wasn't much else.

The sudden blue flash of light was different though.

[Powder Miner]

Giuseppina, clearly terrified halfway out of her mind, trailed behind the group, only hurrying to catch up when she got to staring at something and it was obvious she was falling behind.

[Haspen]

~&~

Akk led the group closer and closer to the cave entrace. Soon Prince's companions could see faces peeking from small holes around the cave entrance. They were all human faces, pale and greyish-haired, in dark uniforms.

Once the bleak sun was hidden by the high ceiling of the cavern, people from small buildings and shacks began to stare at the newcomers intently, especially at their faces; the colorful hair, non-pale skin and sparkling eyes surely made an impression at the humans dwelling here. Some centaurs looked as well, but the ratio of humans-to-monsters was definitely favoriting the later. Amongst the monsters, bat-winged gargoyles and tall wolf-headed men were rarer.

But the entrance settlement was soon left behind as Akk continued with the descent.

Soon, the glow of the surface was replaced by dim yellow, orange, red and even purple light of some strange mushrooms coating the walls and the ceiling of the tunnel that was snaking down into the depths of the mountains.

After yet another undetermined, lengthy period of time, they have reached the 'bottom' and Akk led them into large cavern with ceiling so high that clouds seemingly formed at the top. Here, a large wooden lantern shone under the ceiling, providing light.

_{"Noon, noon, noon!"} Some young man yelled across the field of large, puffy-looking white and yellow mushrooms. He was ringing a small hand-held bell, but people who were tending these 'mushroom farms' didn't pay attention as the lantern above their heads suddenly shone much brighter.

A large fortress of grey and brown stone was standing in the middle of the cave, and it seemed that Akk was leading the group right there.

"This is Fort Arrival, smallest of all castles of the underground humans. It's so small it does not even have a stables for the giant lizards."

"Giant lizards?"

"Yes, the only livestock of those who live here. The feathery birds and the fat furry things of the surface are the only other sources of red meat. There's plenty of cave fish, lobsters and olms in the cave rivers, though. We also thrive on lichen, mold and mushrooms. Incidentally, are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"Uh... I guess that until we fix our device, we are in no real rush anywhere. Who's hungry?"

[Swordstar]

"I certainly wouldn't mind a chance to rest. We've been moving a lot lately. Taking some time to eat and relax would be nice."

Though I'm not sure if lizard is the thing I want to be eating...

[SeriousConcentrate]

The people of this world eat mold? How are they not sick all the time?

"If the prince and princess want to rest, then I suppose I have no objection."

[GiglameshDespair]

"Nutrition is important to keep up strength. We all should eat."

[F.O.E.]

"As, er, unique the experience might be, I wouldn't mind a bite to eat and some rest."

[Powder Miner]

Giuseppina... tried to be a little more adventurous than usual.
:"I, uh..., yeah. It _might not hurt?"

[Swordstar]

"Aw, come on now... Sepi, wasn't it? Don't tell me you're afraid of some native food?"

He grinned. Even though he wasn't overly interested in lizard, the rest sounded fine. Besides, it was always fun to poke at the rich merchants and she seemed to fit the bill.

[Xanmyral]

"I'd be willing to try something new." Aur looked excited about the prospect of trying the new and strange food.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Noel looked over at Irios, then tilted his head to the right, indicating that if he wanted to speak alone, now was probably a good time.