331

You soon discover a partially concealed mine shaft descending vertically into the hillside. As your men clear away the briars choking the shaft, you notice a ladder fixed to one side. You realize that this must be an escape shaft from the Maaken Mines, for they honeycomb the foothills of this mountain range. If only you can locate a major tunnel, you may find a path all the way to Ruanon itself. You kneel at the edge and peer down into the gloom. There is such an overwhelming smell of dampness and decay that you decide to send your lightest man down the ladder to check whether it is still secure. All seems well, for he soon reaches a tunnel entrance far below and shouts to you all to follow.

The tunnel leads to an oval-shaped, rough-hewn chamber, the floor of which is coated with a strange silky fluid.

If you have the Kai Discipline of Animal Kinship, turn to 41.

If you do not have this skill, you can search for an exit from the chamber and turn to 276.