The hallway at the other end of the diamond-shaped chamber angled deeper underground. As they rounded a corner, Evin saw two openings on either side of the hall. He peeked through each passage. Aside from a few makeshift pieces of furniture, the rooms were empty.

As they walked, the dripping noise grew louder. The hallway ended with a giant pillar of natural stone that rose floor to ceiling. A narrow pathway curved around either side of the column.

Evin pressed his back against the stone pillar and inched his way around. He felt sure he’d find the army of gnolls that had attacked Hesiod on the other side.

Instead, he found himself inside a vast, empty, dark cavern.

A rush of cool air met his face, and mud squished under his boots.

“What is this place?” Jorick whispered as he stepped out from behind Evin. He walked deeper into the cavern—and then leaped back.

“There’s a huge puddle here!” Jorick shook his drenched boot. “The water went all the way to my ankle.”

“It’s a natural cave,” Bet said. She leaned against the stone pillar, her expression thoughtful. “You know, the layout of this lair is sort of familiar. …”

Jorick ignored her. “There’s got to be another tunnel here somewhere.” He felt his way along the sloping cavern wall, doing his best to keep out of the dark water. Moonlight shone through holes in the cavernous ceiling, but the light was so scant that it did little more than highlight the ripples on the water.

Drip drip drip. The noise echoed off the wall.

“Hmm,” Bet said.

Evin turned away from Jorick and saw that Bet had the Practical Guide open in her hands. She smiled.

“What is it?” Evin asked.

Bet looked up at him and smiled in her mysterious way. “Follow me.”

She brushed past Evin, not seeming to care that the hem of her fancy robe was soaking up stagnant water.

For a moment, Evin considered taking the book from her and leading the way himself. The drip drip drip echoed in his ears and he kept seeing her knowing, enigmatic smirk in his head. They set Evin’s teeth on edge.

“Coming?” Jorick called. He was already following Bet.

Evin let out a long breath, trying to let his suspicions go. This was the quest he’d fantasized about going on all his life. This was supposed to be fun, after all. A big, grand adventure that—

No, Evin told himself. Not fun. A rescue mission. Daring rescue missions weren’t supposed to be fun!

“Argh,” Evin muttered to himself. Maybe the long day was finally getting to him. Maybe it was just exhaustion. But suddenly everything started to seem more complicated than it should. Shaking his head, he splashed through the water.