As soon as the monster was safely moving up the tunnel, I felt myself slow down as Moraine changed his focus. I kept my shield up and tried to catch my breath, suddenly exhausted, and so was slow to react as the wizard stepped to the tunnel and, with a few quick words, let loose a small pearl of fire towards the fleeing umber hulk. I paused a moment in disbelief, then threw myself to cover, shield above me, as the spell detonated, shaking the cave and raining dust down on us. The shaking was followed by a rumble, and I knew that we'd avoided the monster only to now contend with a cave in.
This cider is the pregnant silence that precedes catastrophic violence. It is the quiet anticipation of terror.
Reviewed on 07 Feb 2025