Fierce biting winds

Tael squinted and sneezed, waving a paw futilly in front of his nose. Ugh, the stench was probably nothing dangerous, but that did not stop it from smelling horribly. The 'dragon sneezed again and walked over to pick up his belongings, throwing the strap around his neck.

-Click! Click!- Two more pictures to document things, but nothing could capture that smell. It was just stale. The reek that accompanied years upon years of nothingness. Whatever was in there had not seen the light of day for a long time.

But Fronima was strong in here, was it not? How else could they have built a temple with such oddities about it? Tael took a few steps towards the door as the stench continued to spread out around the room. Looking over the doorway, there appeared to be a little symbol on the side of the opening.... A symbol in the shape of a paw. The dusty 'dragon placed his paw over it as an eerie crinsom glow illuminated the tunnel before them, lines of light running along the ceiling. Tael let his arm slip down to his side again and peered ahead, snapping another picture as he did so. Pleanty of extra film, nothing to worry about there. It seemed to him that there was another large chamber up ahead. This truly was some form of test.

Tael looked back to Vlun, the recoil was probably softened a bit... this being the temple that it was. That was partially why he never used magic. Poor Tael just couldn't handle the recoil. It was horrible for him. Everything trippled when it came back to him. Besides, pain was never something Tael could stomach well. Vlun would be fine though, so Tael really had no reson to pay the matter much attention.

 

Vlun felt Thi's arm around him and looked up at her smiling. He was thankfull for the help, though he would be fine. This was not the first time he had had such a draw of strength from taping into fronima nor would it be the last. With Thi's help he stood upright. He started to walk slowly towards the newly opened doorway. He could complain about his condition but he knew his complaints would be ignored, especialy in this situation.

He walked through the tunnel and looked around. He was going to have to get a couple of copies of the pictures that Tael was taking, or no one would beleive what had happened. He sighed, knowing that they would still not beleive him. He dismissed this thought and walked on, watching his feet to make sure he did not touch anything. This adventure was getting more terifieing every minute. He did not particularly look forward to whatever lied ahead.

 

After a few steps, the tunnel opened into a rather large cavern of sorts. That same red light illuminated the place, light shining off the floor. Or was the ground solid at all? No. A few rocks closed the gap between this side and the other. More water. Strange how there was so much of it in the middle of the desert.

Tael stood there at the water's edge, peering out over the still surface of the water. It smelled. Stank of death and fear. It was black despite the red playing off the top of the water. "Strange....." The 'dragon looked back and forth. What was the catch? Just cross the stepping stones like a nioti crossing a creek? Somehow he did not think so....

 

Vlun came to the water and almost fainted. Anything but more water. He thought to himself. Not only did he already have hydrophobia but now he would actualy be AFRAID to go anywhere near water. He straightened himself up and looked at Tael and then at Thi and Tsuj. He was definately not going to be the first to cross.

"Ok Tael...you are closest."

He said, hoping that he might be able to hide at least a bit of his fear.

 

Tael glanced to Vlun, that foul stench gradually fading out as it spread about the room. "I suppose I am..." he replied, looking over the placid surface of the water. The dusty 'dragon stooped low and picked a small pebble off the ground for the purpose of testing things out a bit... He tossed the rock, sending it skimming over the surface of the water a few bounces.

Nothing.

That was good... the water seemed to be alright. Yet... what was the catch? The catch, the all important catch. Taking up another stone in his paw, Tael tossed it onto the nearest stepping stone. It sat there for a moment. A moment more.

Nothing.

How odd... Tael certainly did not want to be the first one to find out what the test was in this particular chamber. "I don't trust this one bit..." came his muttered musings.

 

Vlun was not at all swayed by Thi and Tsuj's success at crossing. Tael's uncertainty seemed to pass on to Vlun who became even more reluctant to pass. He stood a moment longer, waiting to see if Tael would go. Finaly he broke the silence.

"We could cross together...."

He said reluctantly. He walked slowly over to the edge of the water and took a tentative step on the first stepping stone, though he did not shift his weight over to it. He stood there with his foot laid gently on the next stone, anticipating.

 

Tael bit the side of his lip and looked everything over once again. It was getting rather warm in the cavern, heat bubbling up from the water. The fact that the first room had been so very challenging did not help ease his mind as to what lurked in this room.

With slow nod, the 'dragon made his way toward the first rock as well, standing behind Vlun. "You go first, I'll follow right behind." Eyes gleaming with the reflection of crimson light stared intently at the paw Vlun had placed on the first stone.

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Sorry if I'm slow.. I have a play coming up really soon that I have to prepare for....</td></tr></table>

 

Vlun slowly shited his weight to the first stone. He waited a few seconds and then took a couple more steps. He was not at all reasured by the fact that Tael was behind him, it did not seem like it would help him much if something happened. Holding his breath he steadily made his way across. The heat did not bother him one bit, he had developed almost an imunity to heat with his constant fidling with fire. It was just the situation that for some reason set him over the edge.
He was halfway across when finaly he could stand it no longer and bounded full speed to the opposite side. He finaly breathed again and let out a releived sigh. He stopped at the other side and turned to see if Tael was fareing well.

 

Green eyes looked down at the red of the water, finally reaching the other side at length. That was odd, aside from the fact that the water was bubbling pretty nicely by now, nothing seemed to be happening. The fact made Tael more nervous than anything. How could it be that easy? So there was nothing to this room? Just a means of passing through?

Tael shook his head, sending strands of hair back and forth from all the moisture that was gathering in the air. Actually it was a little hard to breath because of it. "Best to.. move on I suppose..." He stared back at the water which still boiled fiercely. So odd.. that nothing should happen... and so Tael was uneasy.

 

Vlun sighed in releif when Tael made it safely across. He was about to turn and continue to walk even further into the cave when the water started to boil. He watched it with wide fearfull eyes for a moment. It started to bubble fiercely and he could feel a few splatters on his face. He started to back away and then turned and ran.

"What ever it is we might not want to stick around to see it!"

He yelled back at them. If they did not follow, he would be waiting at the end of the hall. He ran as fast as he could.

 

Holding his bag closer to him, he took off down the hallway in purposeful strides. The brown 'dragon picked up Tsuj and placed him over his neck, having him land effectively on Tael's back. He would have said thank you to the little guy, but it was not the time.

"Vlun is right." he stated simply as he followed the red line of light down the next hallway. How big was this place though? Why had it been made? Pausing, Tael turned around and clicked a picture of the frothing pool before continuing on to catch up with Vlun.

What would the next room have in store for them.

<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span>
<table class=ooc><tr><td>Hopefully something good. Think of something 'Raiders of the Lost Arc-ish'. O__o </td></tr></table>

 

Vlun looked around the new room in awe. This amazment was short lived for he soom remembered what they encountered in the last room. He stayed close to the walls and did his best not to move or touch anything that looked ominous. His teeth were clenched and his hands almost shaking. He looked around with keen eyes.

"Well.....now what?"

He said looking around and not seeing anything resembling a door or a way out. He looked up at the skylight that loomed far above him and the rest. They could figure out a way to get out, but that might not turn out to be the case he told himself.

 

Tael stood in the doorway, letting the steam hit his back from behind. He placed his camera in his satchel, grateful for the sealing charm his younger sister had placed over the contraption. Otherwise the sand would have ruined it by now. "Seems too easy..." He gazed at the light streaming down, his gaze following it to the floor. The light hit the floor and the floor seemed... odd. THere was something to THIS room. He knew it....