Strolling through the evacuated town, Blake stalled the group so he could steal a drink from the bar.
      "Really, we don't have time." Prism argued as he took one of the bottles.
      "They shouldn't be heading back for at least two or three more hours." He popped the top off the bottle and took a large chug.
      "Should you be drinking before we climb up?" Emeryl twitched an ear.
      "Maybe he'll fall back down." Bentora smirked.
      "I wouldn't get my hopes too high about that. It looks a little more likely that the ladder will break under all our weight." Blake forced the lid back on and stowed the bottle away.
      "I can climb fast. I can go first and check." Eric offered.
      "Yes, do. And when you're at the top make sure it's secure enough so we can go up." Prism agreed. Eric leapt at the ladder like predator tearing at prey, clinging to it a moment as it swung then scurrying up. The village was placed next to a cliff, with a slope inward that barely kept Eric a foot away from the rocks. Hanging down, the rope ladder didn't appear to have a reason to be there.
      "Careful there!" Prism shouted as the ladder swayed.
      Eric reached for the top and disappeared over the edge. His head popped out, holding one hand out with two fingers touching his thumb signaling it was ok.
      "Guess it's your turn Bentora." Prism waved her off.
      As the next few climbed up Emeryl secured his staff in his rope belt. Blake made sure to grab a few more bottles of various alcoholic beverages.
      "Blake." Prism offered when they were the only two left.
      "You go." He shrugged. Prism folded his arms.
      "I'd be more comfortable if you went." He answered lowly.
      "What? You don't trust me?" he waved one of the stolen bottles at Prism.
      "Forgive me for not..." Prism muttered.
      "Aw, no problem. I wouldn't trust me either, you're smarter then you look." Blake closed his eyes in resignation, "But I insist, you go first."
      "I suppose I can't force you to go first..." Prism sighed. The others were waiting for them above, probably confused.
      With little other choice Prism climbed halfway up the ladder. At that time he could see Blake working with the bottom of the ladder somehow. He continued up until he reached the others.
      "What's he doing?" Eric stared over the edge.
      "Maybe he's setting a trap so we can't be followed, I don't know." Prism looked over the edge. He was still at the bottom, playing with the ladder.
      "Look!" Bentora pointed to the edge of the village. A small blue dot scuttled inside the borders, heading straight for Blake.
      "She must have told the others." Eric whispered.
      "Blake! Blake!" Prism shouted, "Get up the ladder!" The elf probably heard, looking up sparingly as the little blue dot approached him from the side. They stayed at the bottom of the ladder until Blake lifted her on it. She worked her way up as he held onto the bottom. As she came closer they could see she'd been beaten slightly and had ashes covering her clothes and hair.
      "Leiko, what happened?" Emeryl pulled her over sympathetically. Below Blake started up the ladder with the end of it strapped to his belt so it followed him up.
      "They found the book in my bag so I ran." She whimpered, "I ran into a Hobbit village and hid, but they burned it so I ran back here."
      "Do they know you came back?" Prism asked.
      "I dunno." She stared up at Emeryl with her ears lowered.
      "It doesn't matter." Blake heaved himself over the ledge, dragging the bottom of the ladder with him, "This should be the only way up."
      "Where to now?" Eric asked.
      "Well, there should be a river we can camp by." Blake thought.
      "The river is that way!" Leiko pointed.
      "Prism..." Emeryl glanced timidly at him as Leiko clung to his robes.
      "Blake, there's something that you and Leiko should know." Prism took the initiative, "When Emeryl was in town he saw your father."
      "And..." Blake folded his arms.
      "He also saw Leiko's father and..." Prism glanced at Emeryl, "They were the same person."
      Silently, the two drows glowered at each other.
      "Look, some are coming back." Bentora gestured towards the town.
      "We should go before they take out bows and arrows." Blake pulled on his hood.
      "The river has a bridge!" Leiko shouted.
      "We can hear you just fine." Emeryl told her. Flicking an ear she peered up at him with huge eyes.
      "All of you, let's go!" Bentora snapped impatiently.