“Oh my,” Curdle said when he arrived. But before the hobgoblin could catch his breath, Panic headed into the woods, following the destruction. The dog did not go as quickly as before, and they were able to stay right behind her. Soon she peeled off and headed up a gentle rise where Madigan squatted amongst the trees, spear in hand, Sweat at his side. The huntsman nodded as they approached and then pointed. Deglan followed the man’s finger and found a cave nestled into the neighboring hillside below. The ground became rocky and bare near the cave’s mouth, but the trail of disturbed ground led right to it.

Madigan tapped his finger to his ear, and then held it towards the sky, his eyes never leaving the cave. They waited, and Deglan felt Blink jump when a sudden tremendous boom issued from the cave, trembling the ground beneath them. Deglan shot Curdle a quizzical look and found the hobgoblin deep in thought. The ground shook again as the sounds of another concussion pulsed through the air. Without a word, Curdle slipped out of his pack and then started off down the rise, heading straight for the cave.

“Buggery and spit,” Deglan groaned, dropping his own pack and then looked at Blink. “Stay here…with the dogs.”

Madigan looked at him impassively, apparently taking no offense.

Deglan made his way down and caught up to Curdle before the hobgoblin reached the cave entrance. Another boom rumbled forth.

“You need not accompany me,” the mystic said.

“Nonsense,” Deglan replied. “Who else is going to introduce you?”

The pounding continued, becoming painful to the ears as they stepped into the cavern. It was not deep, barely larger than an outcropping, and the sunlight managed to creep past the threshold. Deglan winced as the cave roared again, bouncing off the surrounding stone and sending showers of loose dirt to fall from above. At the back of the cavern, Deglan could see a huge, shadowy shape pull back long arms and then slam them into the stones.

“It will bring this whole place down on our heads!” Deglan screamed over the horrible ringing of metal on stone. “We should not be here!”

Curdle pushed determinedly forward, ducked low against the cacophony. Deglan rushed forward and seized him by the arm.

“Do not be a fool! We will die if we stay here!”

Curdle shook him off and continued on.

“Stop!” Deglan heard him scream at the Forge Born’s back. “I beg you, please! Stop! You need not do this!”