As the party approached a huge door, the sound of battle reached Cor's ears.  It seemed others had somehow gotten ahead of them.  Perhaps the mindflayers had a way to travel faster than the group.  "Well now lads and lasses, it seems a battle lies in our path.  What we shall find when we open this door I canna say.  However, I can say our goal is to reach the forge and destroy the sword.  We can nae afford to get sucked into a battle if we can avoid it.  If we can hurry past and the the current participants continue without our interference that woudl be best.  Keep weapons handy and spells on your lips but we must get past this spot as quick as we can.  Defend yerself but dunna go looking to join the fight."  Cor got ready to open the door and when everyone signaled they were ready he opened it.

Arandur narrowed his emerald cat-like eyes as he shifted his bow to a readier grip, muscles taut with anticipation as he stared unblinkingly at the large slab of stone before him. His pointed ears twitched as the nearby cacaphony of shouts and metal ringing as weapons clashed reached them. The elf swallowed as he heeded Cor's words. The dwarf spoke true. It would ill become them if they were dragged into an unnecessary battle they should avoid. The destruction of the dark blade must remain their top priority and this task must be achieved swiftly lest any other unfortunate mishap were to befall them, thus delaying, or even preventing, them from destroying the sword.

As Cor heaved open the heavy stone door (demonstrating to Arandur the impressive strength for a being so compact), he made his way cautiously down the tunnel, treading lightly lest he make any unwanted sound which could alert the enemy to their presence. Ears pricked, eyes wide and flicking in all directions, the elf was alert for any danger that may befall them...

Lothor listened at the door just long enough to try and determine how close at hand the fighting was.  Was it bow time or sword time.  "Watch out for mind flayers," he whispered to the group.  "They will almost certainly be the biggest threat.  But if there are more of the those ogres with ballista, we cannot afford to let them take down a spell caster again.  We might not be looking for a fight, but if we are in one focus your attacks as needed.  We must get to the forge."  With that he nodded to the dwarf who had brought them this far.  "Well done.  I appreciate your guidance.  Do you know where through those doors we need to go?"

With the time for words over, the big warrior gripped his weapons and prepared to lead the charge with Cor.  The Forge of bust.  they couldn't afford to fail.  They wouldn't fail. 

ON TEMPORARY HIATUS