-----Runik pauses to peer into the darkness. He then calls out to Gimplefwick, "'Ey Cap'n, ye be wantin' to go back to the zombie room or on further down this here tunnel?"
-----Sure enough, the tunnel extends on past where the side tunnel with the steps is located.
-----The Dread Pirate peers down the unexplored tunnel, then says, "Well, as long as the gas doesn't start seepin down here, let's just stand fast right here fer a moment. Everybody can catch their breath and recover. Then, if Kazel is willing, she can scout out the rest of the corridor, since she's best equipped fer the job. Just keep an eye out fer anymore traps. Maybe I'd best go with ye as well. I can always outrun whatever we might meet."
-----Dread then glances up the staircase, checking on the gas, then starts slowly up the tunnel, looking for traps as he goes and trying to remain quiet and inconspicuous.
-----Seth motions for the mercenaries to sit on the chests and cheerfully states, "Dread is good at finding traps!"
-----"Better if we both go along, yes," Kazel moves along after Gimplefwick. "By the way how is the wound? Should I start wearing a helmet when I sleep?"
-----Seth and the mercenaries set down the chests in the middle of the tunnel as Kazel and the Dread Pirate walk off into the darkness.
-----"Humpf," Runik grunts as he looks around in the dark, "I've seen better work on tunnelin' than this!"
-----"I will be glad to be out of this tunnel soon enough," Brandel adds as he holds his torch aloft. "Meeting with the dead along with our run through the sewer makes me anxious for the outside air."
-----Krord simply sits on the floor of the tunnel trying to recover from the purplish gas.
-----"Do you suppose everything fares well with them?" Brandel says a while later staring down into the darkness of the tunnel ahead of them. The young man still holds his torch aloft though it does little to illuminate their surroundings.
-----"Should be," Runik grunts as he glances at Seth. "I be votin' that we go lookin' fer 'em if'n we ain't heard from 'em soon."
-----Krord stands and throws a menacing glare at the ascending tunnel with the purplish gas at the top.
-----Suddenly, Runik throws his hand forward pointing down the tunnel while grabbing his warhammer with the other. "Look!" he exclaims, "Somethin' movin'!"
-----He then relaxes as he sees the quick form of the Dread Pirate emerge from the dark.
-----The Dread Pirate raises one hand in a greeting and then says, "Arrr, we found an exit, leading into town. Kazel is scouting it out a bit more thoroughly, so let's go join her and get out of this place." Dread then starts to lead the others back to where Kazel is waiting.
-----Seth smiles at Dread and stands up. "That's one thing about Dread," he tells the worrying mercs, "he might get waylaid, but he usually delivers!"
-----Seth and the three mercenaries follow the Dread Pirate down the tunnel, which continues straight for many yards. After walking for some distance, they come to a four-way intersection with no end to the tunnels in sight. The air down here feels chilly and a sharp almost metallic smell hangs about.
-----Gimplefwick proceeds to lead them down the left tunnel. The tunnel walls feature exposed stone that feels smooth to the touch and the floor is clean of any debris.
-----In another fifty yards, the condition of the tunnel changes somewhat. Here the tunnel angles to the right at about forty-five degrees and the walls seem rougher with crumbled rocks beginning to accumulate on the walkway.
-----Soon, the tunnel angles back to the left at another forty-five degrees. Here and there more rocks and dust are crumbled from larger decayed places in the wall. Finally in another fifty yards, the tunnel ends. There upon the wall are metal rungs that lead up to a wooden trapdoor. The Dread Pirate climbs up and pushes open the door at the top.
-----Seth and the mercenaries soon follow the Dread Pirate up into a large circular room with exposed gray stone making up the wall. Steps built into the wall lead up to another level. Spaced about the walls are thin arrow slits, which let the dim light in from the outside. A large wooden door framed with metal provides access to the outside.
-----Using ropes they soon haul the chests of treasure up and place them to one side. Hearing the noise, Kazel descends from the upper level down the steps on the wall.
-----Seth puts down his sack and surveys the room. "Well is this our new center of operations or not?" When he sees Kazel descending from the upper regions of the room he asks her, "Any sign of danger? If we can, I need to rest up and study these scrolls and prepare some new spells if we get in any more trouble?"