Role

Chapter 20

Within the vast cavern of Chosnrty, Hlaqy's people lived and mined the rich
deposits of gems and ore. The low squat stone buildings weere clustered upon
the cavern floor, mimicing the build and temperment of thier inhabitants.
High above in the blackness stretched the cavern, the roof few had ever seen,
although it was rumored Plesntrin's grandfather had once scaled the walls and
touched it to impress his future wife.
Today was going to be a big day for Hlaqy, after weeks of pestering his
father was going to take him to the mines. Ever curious and eager to explore,
Hlaqy knew that it would be a great adventure. His mother packed them both a
hearty lunch and gave several lectures about listening to his father, and
staying out from under the feet of the other miners. None of which Hlaqy
really listened too, but nodded his agreement nonetheless.
The day started well, the trip down in the miners buckets was thrilling, and
Hlaqy got his own little rock hammer to use. It was just after lunch things
went wrong, everyone was taking a their break, his father and he sharing the
mushroom and pterns bread, when a the alarm bell rang. For a moment noone
moved, few even remembered what the bell meant, it had been so long since it
had been rung. "To the cavern!"Cried Rhanstiege the foreman. "Demons are;role + upon us!" Everyone clambered to the miner's buckets, and the long accent into
the cavern. "Not you boy!" Hlaqy's father said abruptly. "Stay in the mines;role + till we see what's what." Hlaqy looked on helpless in his anger as bucket
after bucket full of miners was winched up the mineshaft, all the while the
sounds of axe on sword grew louder and louder from above. Finally the last
bucket lifted from the ground, swinging wildly as the remaing miners clung to
every available space. Hlaqy looked up at them, feeling very small and very
alone, and he was just about to stomp off into a corner when out of the
darkness came another bucket, empty. Without a thought he threw himself
inside and waited breathlessly for it to start moving, and with a lurch it
did knock him from his feet. Slowly it rose, and slowly the sounds of battle
grew louder as he approched the top, but much to Hlaqy's dismay the winch
ground to a halt when the last bucket full of miners reached the top, leaving
him dangling in mid air, twenty five feet from the cavern floor. The light of
fires and flickered above, and cries of pain and anger mingled with the clash
of steel. "Protect the women!" cried a voice he thought he recognized. Hlaqy
shook the sides of the bucket in frustration, the bucket began to swing
wildy. Siezed by a sudden idea Hlaqy clambers on to the side, holding the
ropes he pummed his small legs, causing the bucket to swing more and more.
When it came close to the side of the wall he jumped and with a thud hit the
stone and scabbled for a hand hold. Then slowly he began to clumb up. Soon he
reached the cavern floor and peered over the edge. The site was horrible, the
village aflame and strange scaly warriors fought with his people in the
streets as they tried to make a stand at the townhall. But more horrible than
the sight of his kinsman lying dead in the street was the thing that swooped
out from the darkness above. Massive and blacker than black. More that 100
feet from the barb