Chapter 3
In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 417):
The Summit
OOC: if you didn't already, recover Echo for sleeping.
You pause in the dawn's early light to sip from the chalice, which you notice has become darkened, hard and feels almost brittle. Still, the now familiar wave of calm and comfort washes over you and you feel invigorated.
OOC: I have removed some minor wounds from your sheets. Any additional effects are not evident at this point.
Thus prepared, you start off toward the cave. You have not gone far when the silence is broken by a loud hiss from the underbrush. You leap backward as the enormous dark snake explodes from the grasses to loom over you, its skin darker even than the shadows in which it hid.
It stands poised for a moment, jaw gaping and white teeth gleaming, then retreats and slithers slowly away, looking back at you from time to time indicating you should follow.
Once again you carefully navigate the sandy ledge that wraps around some of the more sheer cliffs and soon the cave is in sight.
As before, a pair of ragged figures stand vigil. They leer at you horribly with empty eyes and their visage makes you wish the sun were not rising that you might be spared their sight.
Still, though they mouth soundlessly and reach for you with withered fingers, they do not impede you.
The snake slips into the darkness of the cave.