The last echoes of combat fade in the cave corridor as the reptilian terror lies dead at the adventurers’ feet. Boddin the hobbit breathes heavily, his wounds bleeding, as Albertus the cleric reveals the depth of his convictions.
The others are surprised, especially after the effort to resurrect Albertus. Easia the warrior-priestess tries her best to bring forth divine healing, but finds her spiritual reservoir tapped. Words are exchanged. Tension hangs in the air.
Boddin speaks bold words to Albertus. He stares at the hobbit, his cold look softening for a moment. He silently approaches Boddin, lays hands on shoulders and heals him of some wounds (3 HP.) Then Albertus' face hardens again. "I am done here," he says, and walks away south down the passage, turning east back out the way the party came.
Not a minute passes when...There is distant noise from the south. The clatter of many feet, clink of much metal, snippets of rough voices. The orcs are returning to their caves! The battle with the grey aliens must be over. The adventurers look at each other quickly, determining what to do. They have mere minutes – escape through the secret door, or take on what sounds like a large force of orcs on their way in?
