Move 366:  Down the Magic Tunnel

Smooth Caverns--Afternoon, Day 37 (Marpenoth 20)

Jana and, presumably, invisible Echo walked a short distance down the side tunnel. The slope was signficant, but even heavily armored Jana had no problem getting back up to the others.

The group started down the tunnel. The downward slope continued as they progressed. After about 120 feet, they came to a point in the tunnel where the floor was covered by standing water.

"Oh great, this is promising," Renn muttered from the rear of the party. "Pools of water, on a slick-rock downwardly sloping tunnel floor. I respectfully suggest we take great pains to walk carefully now," he added cheerily, the makings of a grin spread across his face.

"Now, here's a place where we could use Arachne and Aloysius. They could turn into fish or something and see what's under there," Jana remarked.  "'Though, considering the luck we've had so far with water down here, I'm not so sure that's a good idea either."

"Or they could fly over it to see where it goes," Echo added. "That's probably not a great idea either," she laughed, "but it doesn't matter since they aren't here."

"Or they could be a flyin' fish!" Jana giggled. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment then asked, "So do we try wading through there or wait 'til they get back to check it out? I mean, we'll check it out regardless since you guys feel something from down there."

Azrun extended his quarterstaff to Jana, "I'm for pushing on. You can use my staff to poke ahead of you for deep water or holes or critters, if you want."

Azrun frowned, "ok, now would be a good time for everyone to be tied together." He looked around again for movement in the water

"Great, looks like we're going to have wet gear tonight. Not that anything is ever really dry down here. I hope there aren't any eels nearby." Blacky commented

"Oh, gee," Jana snorted, "how very thoughtful of you." She grabbed the stick and started forward, poking the floor under the water quite thoroughly beffore stepping into it. "If you're so for it, why isn't your ass in the fucking water," she grumbled to herself. "Sure, put the person in all the heavy metal in the goddamned water. I can't fucking swim anyway." She continued her quietly-muttered tirade as she walked into the water, grimacing as her boots were soaked through and feet chilled, tapping in front of her to determined the depth and the surface.

Azrun frowned, "I will gladly go first. I don't mind getting wet and I can swim just fine. Just give me back my staff and I'll go." Azrun hed out his hand waiting for his staff back.

"No," Jana said with a weary smile, "my feet are already soaked.  No sense in yours getting that way too." She poked a bit more with her staff with no sign of her earlier anger.

Azrun raised an eyebrow in confusion and was about ready to say something, when he decided it was better to remain quiet.

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