🚀 go-pugleaf

The wind made a low, chilling, howl as it wound its way up to our 
adventurers from the canyon mouth below.  The Desert of Lindsey forced its
sandy air through the canyon mouth which made it race its way up along the
winding creek bed, depositing silt throughout the canyon floor.  Numerous
rocks and small openings made it impossible to ride the horses
so all the extra gear was packed into the saddle bags.  Once everyone was
packed and the horses fed and watered the group was on its way to the 
canyon mouth, always alert for what, or whom, might lie ahead.

Raven could still picture the toad creatures in her mind and it sent shivers
down her spine, "Hideous, slippery, creatures," Raven said to herself, "I hope
we don't run into anymore of them."

Once again Meriden and Jester took the lead, followed by Raven, with Chalmers
bringing up the rear.  They walked along the path which followed the creek
down to the canyon bottom, this way the horses could stop and drink at their
convenience.

As Chalmers walked with Stealth he kept an eye on the surrounding area as well
as his fellow travelers.  "We can't afford to make any mistakes, this close to
the canyon mouth", Chalmers thought to himself, "We should make it the canyon
mouth just before we lose the sun." 

The walk was difficult but manageable, the slope from the top of the canyon
to the mouth was gradual enough to maneuver without watching ones footing.
This made it possible to observe the surroundings as our adventures neared
the canyon bottom, without being taken by surprise while watching ones step.
The strain of the journey was taking its toll, even Jester seemed to strain
at times and Chalmers could never remember him actually breaking a sweat.
It was time for a rest and everyone knew it but did not want to be the
first to admit it, all of the traveler were true adventures, letting
nothing, even fatigue, get in their way.

It was Raven that decided to break the silence and requested that the party
take a well needed rest.  Everyone was in full agreement and soon had
the horses grouped together and were sitting, on whatever they could find,
resting and talking of the days events, and those to come.

Only now that they were quite did Chalmers realize that the crystal indicator
was *BEEPING*.  He removed it from his tunic pocket and held it in his hand.
Both Meriden and Jester looked quite interested in the device and questioned
its origin.  Chalmers repeated the story of his encounter with the alien
creature to Jester and Meriden while Raven stretched out to relax on the
smooth canyon floor.  The horses seemed more interested in the creek than
in Chalmers story, having carried the extra packs made them only interested
in the cool refreshing water of the creek.

"I must go" Chalmers proclaimed to the group, "I will not be long, it is
only a few more hours to the canyon mouth, we will find suitable shelter
and make camp there tonight."

"I will come with you!" Raven said, getting up from her semi-comfortable
position.  Brushing the sand off her pants and shirt, Raven and Chalmers
proceeded to follow the increasing *TONE* of the crystal indicator.  As
they moved out of view Meriden and Jester began to talk about the
Astrologer they must seek out once in the city of Agraba.

The indicator began to *BEEP* louder as Raven and Chalmers approached a
small cave in the side of the canyon wall.  This explains why Chalmers
could not here the *BEEP* when they where walking, he was just too far
from the crystal deposit.  Approaching the cave entrance Raven looked at
Chalmers, holding her stiletto in her left hand, "After you my sweat". 
Chalmers reached behind him and removed the tube from its sheath in a fluid
motion.  Smiling at Raven and taking a step through the entrance, Chalmers
pressed a button on the tube and it sprang out to its full length.  Raven was
fascinated by this weapon but failed to notice the flashing red disk near
the hand grip.  Chalmers didn't, and hoped that the deposit was large enough
to recharge all of his weapons and tools.

The weapons were not needed, the cave was empty although there had been
someone or something living in it at one time.  Small bones could been 
seen in the ashes of what was once a cooking fire of sorts.  As the
indicator *BEEPED* louder Chalmers and Raven followed on, deep into the
cave, which ended in a small cul-de-sac.  As Chalmers held the indicator
up to the cave wall small particles in the wall began to glow a faint
bluish colour.  Raven's eyes widened as the glowing became brighter,
obviously the indicator was more than just that it stimulated the crystals
some how removing them from there hidding place.  Chalmers began to dig at
the wall removing any excess dirt from around the crystals.  With one
of his many tools Chalmers chipped around the crystal deposit easily
removing them from there resting place.  The crystal deposit, glowing even
brighter in his hand, began to vibrate.  Chalmers and Raven watched the
crystal deposit break apart into smaller yet similar pieces, their
glow diminishing to the colour of the stone in Chalmers' pendant.  Smiling
to himself and Raven Chalmers put the crystals carefully into one of the
many pouches attached to his belt. 

The two walked back to the site where Meriden and Jester were in a
heated argument concerning the quality of ale found in these regions.
"I don't care what you say, I still feel that the Kradin Ale, brewed
with cool spring water, is much superior to your Glarshion brew, that
dragon spittle ..." Meriden paused at the sight of Raven and Chalmers,
"We can finish this debate after sampling the ale's of Agraba, we might
be both surprised." Jester replied.

"I have found a supply of crystals to recharge my weapons, now I'm ready
to do some serious fighting."  Chalmers remarked, a slight grin on his face.
"Gather the horse up everyone and lets get moving, it will be dark soon
and I want to reach the mouth of this canyon before nightfall.

The four once again headed along the banks of the small creek towards
their next camp site.  "After this stretch I can't wait to have a good
night sleep" Meriden spoke, a slight relief in his voice.  Dot, Stealth,
Ahzri and Brodoni made noises that seemed to acknowledge Meriden's idea.
The four looked at each other in puzzlement, smiled, and continued on.

As the travelers turned a slight bend in the canyon they were greeted with
a spectacular sight.  The setting sun could been seen through the mouth
of the canyon from the Desert of Lindsey and formed an almost face like
pattern on the floor of the canyon, almost in the shape of a skull.

A small cave was chosen for their camp site that night.  It was located just
above the floor of the canyon requiring a slight climb to reach it's
entrance.  "The only way into this cave is from the front, up the side of the
canyon wall."  Chalmers replied, returning from the back of the cave after
checking for any other entrances.  The horses were feed and allowed to drink
from the creek which flowed out into the desert through the mouth of the
canyon.  Their reigns were tied to a near by tree for shelter for the
night, after the extra packs were removed and brought up into the cave.

As the dark of night engulfed the canyon the only visible light was that of
our adventurers camp fire.  Meriden was again brewing some tea, Jester
had retired to their tent after the two had placed wards near the horses
and the cave entrance.  Raven and Chalmers were relaxing by the fire, talking
about their home towns and other things that simply didn't interest Meriden, he
sat quietly drinking his tea and listing to the sounds of the desert wind
through the canyon mouth.  "I think I will call this canyon 'Skull Canyon'"
Meriden said, not to anyone in particular.  Chalmers got up and offered a hand
to Raven which she used to hoist herself up.  "I will add it to my map
Meriden, first thing in the morning." Chalmers said leading Raven to their
tent, a smile forming on Raven's lips as they both said good night to Meriden.

The fur blankets were laid out as Chalmers entered their tent.  "I see you
have been busy in here Raven, boy I can't wait to get a good sleep."
Chalmers said as he flopped down on the furs.  "I think not ..." Raven replied
jumping on top of Chalmers giving him a long, passionate kiss.  "Tonight you
are mine!" Raven continued a big smile on her face.  Chalmers had the same
smile and began to laugh as he responded to Raven's aggression.  "Having a
sight like you beside me I'm sure I will have better things to do than sleep."
Chalmers replied, turning Raven over on her back and kissing her neck,
sending shivers throughout her body.  "We must do something about these cloths
of ours though" Raven said sliding her hand down Chalmers thigh.  "I 
fully agree" Chalmers replied, unttying the lace from the front of Raven's
blouse.  As their cloths came off piece by piece each admired the other's
body.  Soon they where under the warm fur blankets, their bodies naked, close
to each other for warmth and passion.  Raven longed for the thought of
Chalmers filling her with his desire.  The two made love several times that
night, experimenting with each other's fantasies, positions, and experience.

Meriden had heard enough noise from Raven's and Chalmer's tent so he too
retired for the night, confident that the wards would alert them to any
danger.  As the desert wind swept through the canyon, the air carried with
it the sounds of the night creatures, scurrying for food and shelter.  During
the day the desert brought warm air through the canyon mouth, but once
darkness fell, the temperature dropped rapidly.

"One more day till Agraba" Meriden thought as sleep began to envelope him.
"We must find an Astronomer to read the scroll, we must find ..." Meriden
soon fell into a deep, well deserved sleep.

:)