138 C137 The Journey Through The Tunnel

After such a speech. Karoth was calming down since the words spoken aligned with the city. While he was still sceptical, a decision made that a small group of people including a council member would go to see if this was true. The other council members argued for this moment till Karoth himself decided to go. Along with a few merchants with carts including Denoth would travel the path.

One of the merchants getting paid to put up magical torches along the path using a combustible ore that burned for years which allowed light to remain for a long time to come. The last people were indeed Kai, Kaye and Auryn as they sat in the main cart on the journey.

As everything got set up with the carts at the entrance. The group was preparing to leave the underground city in this strange new corridor created by a god. Each moment the distance sound of screeching growing ever more distant.

Denoth led the group as they started down the path. Denoth, Kai, Auryn, Karoth and Kaye in the first cart with merchants and mercenaries in the second, third and fourth carts. Each one hired to be guards for the merchants as this was a rather strange place to come. The guards were providing a sense of protection in this peculiar place.

The five of them inside the cart all silent as they eventually set off down the tunnel with them as the primary vehicle with others following behind. The light on the front of the cart like a beacon in the darkness.

The only noise a strange rustling from behind them. In one of the barrels as it seemed almost like a mouse had snuck into the wooded area to find shelter. Auryn was moving to the back as she opened the barrel to check inside. Her eyes were rounding out as she saw Desren inside the barrel with a small smirk on her cheeks.

"Shh..."

Staring at the woman with disbelief as the woman looked so tightly packed into the barrel yet she was telling Auryn to be quiet and allow her to come on this trip. What had the world come to with people in charge doing stupid things?

She had two minds. One was to tell her off and tell Karoth about this incident while the second more fun idea was to cause as much discomfort for the woman as possible which sounded much more fun.

Her smile was growing as she slid the lid back on rolling her eyes as she noticed several holes on the cover to allow air to come in. Her eyes were going wide as she slowly pulled another barrel lid as she slid it over the top.

Sitting back down with Kai who had watched the whole thing shaking her head. Kaye is seated up front with Denoth and Karoth as both men chatted about the town as Denoth sang its praises as the council member seemed to be still sceptical.

The sounds of the barrel in the back growing louder as it seemed to rattle and quickly moved as it appeared whatever was inside was trying to escape.

Kai and Auryn were staring at it. Kai shaking her head with Auryn laughing as it seemed the woman inside was trying to escape after the air holes had gotten blocked.

"What is going on back here!"

Karoth had heard the racket as he came into the back of the cart. Looking at the barrel shaking as his eyebrow raised as he quickly moved over to life both the covers and looked inside.

"Council Member Dresen. Why are you inside the barrel?"

His eyebrows raised as he looked at the woman who was bright red after almost getting suffocated inside the barrel.

"Oh. Thank you, Dresen. I got trapped inside this barrel. If you did not save me, then I would still be trapped inside... Hey!"

She screamed at him as the lid was placed back on before the man shook his head and walked away. The group was laughing at the playful manner of the group.

Time would pass as. Eventually, the woman came out. Karoth still pissed with her for abandoning her duties but still allowing her to stay as the path continued for several hours.

After some time only Denoth sat in the front as the rest sat in the back of the cart resting. The man was feeling rather tired as it was getting late into the night. His eyes were slowly closing as he let out a small yawn. Opening them to spot something in the distance as he saw a small cave strangely to the right of them further along the path.

"Hey, all. we have an opening to a cave further along."

Speaking as Auryn and Kaye came up to the front as they looked at the strange opening that also seemed to have light coming out from it. Eventually, the cart pulled up to the side as the group stopped and looked inside.

It seemed the brownstone did more than dig as at this halfway point was a strange oasis with trees, grass, flowers and a flowing waterfall. Many vines with strange growths along the main stem that glowed brightly as the light flowed into the room. The relaxing atomsphere was letting everyone calm down after the few hours of travelling.

Everyone was sitting down as they relaxed inside. The grass lovely and warm to the touch as this place felt almost like a retreat. The merchants were talking to each other as they dipped their toes into the water stream. Kai was relaxing against a tree as the council members discussed together. Though it was mostly just Karoth telling off Desrin for sneaking off.

Auryn was looking around the room with a small smile as in a few hours she would show the people around the area of Sanctuary and finish her mission. She was kind of glad to be going to her New home.

"Nearly Home."