The mountain air grew colder with every step. Snow began to fall in lazy spirals, settling on cloaks and hair before any of them even noticed. Their boots crunched softly in the frost as they trudged higher into the hills, breath misting in the dimming light. After what felt like hours, they saw it — a faint orange glow flickering in the distance. A cave mouth, warm light spilling into the white night. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] perked up immediately. “Friends!” he shouted. [[Ellette|Ellette]]’s head snapped toward him. “_No!_ That could be _anything!_ Probably a _foe!_” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] sighed. “What would you propose then?” “We sneak in, assess the situation,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] replied. “Then we—” “I can get my _sneaking song_ ready!” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] interrupted eagerly. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] placed a firm hand on [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s shoulder and slowly shook his head. “...As I was saying,” [[Ellette|Ellette]] continued through gritted teeth, “we sneak up, _quietly_, check who or what’s in there, and _then_ decide our next move.” “Understood,” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] nodded. “We go together?” Before [[Ellette|Ellette]] could answer, [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] tapped her shoulder and pointed toward the cave entrance. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] was already walking in. [[Ellette|Ellette]] blinked. “Well, _shit._ Quickly! Move!” The party darted toward the entrance, hugging the walls as they arrived just in time to hear [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s cheerful greeting echo through the cavern. “Helloooo!” Inside, a bonfire burned bright, casting jagged shadows along the [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]]y walls. Around it sat a half-dozen **orcs**, laughing, drinking, and roasting something unidentifiable on spits. Two more lounged deeper in the cave, their axes resting across their knees. One of them squinted up at the intruder. “What’s dis?” “I’m [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]!” the druid said proudly. “Carrots for eatin’?” another grunted. “Not _that_ [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]],” he said, beaming. “_This_ [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] is for friends!” The orcs roared with laughter. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] laughed with them, entirely oblivious to the danger. “Should we just kill ‘im now and eat?” one asked, cracking his knuckles. “Nah,” another replied. “Where da fun in that? Make ‘im beg.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] frowned. “No, no, I can’t _bake_. But I can _smoke_ and _sing!_” One of the orcs slammed the table. “Hear dat? He can _sing!_” More laughter. “So,” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] said with a grin, “instead of being eaten — which, don’t get me wrong, sounds awful — why don’t I sing and dance for my _new friends?_ Maybe after a drink or two?” “Go on then,” one said, handing him a mug of thick, dark liquid. “Strong brew.” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] sniffed it, shrugged, and downed it in one go. His face twisted instantly. “Holy _shmokes_, she’s _thick!_” The orcs cheered. “Dance!” one bellowed. “Dance!” the others echoed. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] began to tap-dance awkwardly, boots clacking against the stone. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] whispered to [[Ellette|Ellette]], “I have an idea,” and quietly cast _Dancing Lights._ Above the fire, shimmering figures began to twirl and sway in perfect imitation of [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]]’s clumsy movements. The orcs howled with laughter, pounding their mugs against the ground in rhythm. “See?” [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] laughed. “I _knew_ you’d love me!” ![[Before Fire and Drinks.jpg]] While [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] distracted the crowd, [[Ellette|Ellette]] and [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] scanned the cave. Barrels of brew were scattered around the edges, spaced just far enough apart to form a perfect chain reaction. [[Ellette|Ellette]] smirked. “I think I see a solution.” [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] nodded. “Simultaneous ignition?” “On three.” The two raised their hands, whispered their incantations — and unleashed twin bursts of _fire magic._ The cave erupted. Flames roared through the air, barrels bursting like thunder as a wave of heat and smoke consumed the cavern. Orcs screamed, stumbled, and fell as the blaze devoured everything in sight. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] charged through the chaos, his mace flashing in the firelight as he struck down the survivors. ![[After Fire and Drinks.jpg]] [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], still dancing mid-spin, didn’t notice until the fire reached his sleeve. “Help! Help! Help! HELP!” he screamed, running in circles as his robes caught alight. [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]] sighed and snapped his claws, conjuring a sudden torrent of water that drenched both [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] _and_ the fire pit. The last embers hissed out. Steam rose into the frigid air. The cave was silent once more. [[Ellette|Ellette]] exhaled. “We rest here tonight. By morning, we go the _correct_ way.” “Agreed,” said [[Morgar Goldgard|Morgar]]. [[Rock, the Silent Fighter|Rock]] nodded firmly. [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]], shivering slightly, muttered, “Fire’s overrated anyway…” He stared at the smouldering remains of the bonfire, his expression a mix of relief and newfound trauma. From that day forward, [[Karrut Styk|Karrut]] would forever remember the smell of burnt fur and orc brew — and his _newfound fear of fire._ The party settled down among the ashes, taking what warmth they could from the embers and preparing for whatever awaited them come dawn. [[Chapter 8. Correct way]]