The stench of mold wafts up to Seneca, making him wrinkle his nose. He grips his cape with one of his hands and reaches up to pat Tobias with the other. He isn’t sure who he is soothing at this point.

“It’s a long drop,” he remarks.

Callum peaks over the edge, his voice coming out in a hush,”I suppose this isn’t so bad. Roots go in the ground, so why shouldn’t I?”

Tiria rests her hand on the scabbard at her waist. “I’m assuming you all know the history about the tunnels?”

Seneca turns curious eyes to hers. “No, as you know, I am traveling, seeking atonement. My family has held its residence in the foothills for several hundred years.”

“You mean manor.” Tiria eggs him on, her left dimple making an appearance.

Seneca waves her off, “Yes, yes I know. I am a spoiled rich boy. Enough of the trivialities. I assume we are entering the tunnels now?”

The both turn expectantly to Callum, who appears to be in deep concentration.
Callum turns to them. “The dark isn’t so bad.” And with that, Callum drops into the dimness below, soundlessly.

“I won’t be outdone by a plant,” Tiria complains, blowing a strand of hair out of her eyes. She lets out a cry as she jumps down into the hole below. A soft “thud” is heard only seconds later.

Seneca sighs, “If only I knew a spell for this.” He circles the pit until he finds a root system he believes will bear his weight and slowly shimmies down, careful not to disturb his patient familiar.

At last they are all at the bottom of the bone pit. Tiria is brushing dust off of her bracers when she speaks,”As I was saying… many people have gone missing trying to navigate these tunnels. It’s said treasure was hoarded down here hundreds of years ago, but no one has been able to find it. There are too many ancient warding spells, and creatures guarding the treasure.” She pauses. “Or so I’ve been told.”

“So, this could be a wild goose chase.” Seneca dead pans.

Tiria shrugs. “Possibly, but it’s our only lead.”

They stare ahead at the tiny flickering lights, leading the way into the darkness. Seneca trips on a bone but quickly rights himself, coughing into his fist. “Shall we?”

Just as they all take a step further into the cave, a strange cranking sound begins. Dust starts falling from cracks in the ceiling and rubble slowly begins to roll away from the walls. Before they can react, the opening to the bone pit begins crumbling in on itself.

“The walls!” Callum bleats, pointing ahead of them.

“Shit!” Tiria swears. “It’s a booby trap!”