---
title: 00007
created: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:21:21 -0600
updated: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:21:21 -0600
public: yes
syndicated: yes
---
### 00007

> Inky peers down at the hole, and after some time, turns to the party. "Do you think they've cleared most of the gnomes by now, or should we wait until they emerge and grab the crystal then?" Gazing at some invisible spot farther among the trees, Inky continued, "One of the old miners back at the tavern said there used to be a natural maw on the southwestern side, but it was blocked when the tunnel caved in many years ago. The gnomes don't waste their efforts on blowing up things knowing someone's already been through them. Chances are there's only one exit, unless this mine is a decoy." 

Inky peers down the hole and watches Retrieval Team 70 approach the kobit caves.

The maw on the southwestern side did indeed collapse several seasons ago. If you know anything about the industrial and intrepid kobits however, it is that they have probably dug several alternative, secret entrances since then.

Just as the gophers reach the cave entrance, a large erge, muscles rippling beneath its white feathers, emerges from behind a boulder and blocks their way forward.

It raises the feathery crest on the crown of its head, and fluffs up its plumage in a dramatic display. It appears to be arguing with the gophers. All three gophers appear to be arguing back.

The egre gestures angrily at the gophers' feet, shakes its head, and crosses its arms defiantly. The gophers look down at their own feet and shuffle about as though embarrassed.

They all exchange a few more words and then the gophers retreat away from the egre and the cave entrance. They huddle together briefly and then start slowly climbing the scaffolding back up to the top of the hole.

"Oh yeah," the foreman remarks absentmindedly. "There's an egre guarding the kobit caves."

The egre below preens and struts about proudly having chased off the gophers.

"Stubborn things," the foreman continues. "Easily provoked to violence. Impeccable fashion sense though."

WHAT DO YOU DO

[www](https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-08/msg00003.html)
