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Zigny blew
into the Horn, a clear, strong blast. Designed to be audible only to
the sensory organs of the purple worms, the Horn's blast was audible to
the keen ears of the drow and gnomes as a low, deep hum. The attackers
paused at the sound, wondering what new trap or trick awaited them,
they stared at the breached wall in anticipation.
When no new threat appeared, the dark elves once again
charged. Zigny reached the edge of the alcove and looked down in time
to see runners head into each side tunnel; one to the southern gate,
one to the northern gate. He turned and signaled to the Mand'r to throw
the switches on the stone stand that held the Horn. The young officer
threw the switches not knowing what they did.
The switches had been created to contain the exited worms
in their mating rituals by collapsing each side tunnel. Zigny hoped
that would keep any reinforcements from reaching the successful
attackers before the worms could arrive and even the numbers. The
southern tunnel was suddenly alive with a loud thunder and a burst of
dust. Large stones came rolling out into the drow lines proving the
switch had done it's work.
However, the northern tunnel only hummed for a moment,
then nothing. The ancient switch had failed to drop the ceiling in the
tunnel. Zigny swore silently. They would have to do it from the side
tunnels of the northern passage if they were going to keep the
reinforcements from reaching the Cavern and overwhelming the defenders
before the Horn could call the worms.
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Zigny,
continued to survey the battle as it unfolded below him. He couldn't
help but notice a dark elf levitated just above the other crossbowmen,
staring at the alcove. He knew if the drow caught sight of them he
would fire his poisoned bolts and call his allies to fire on them as
well. They needed to reach the ground and the north passages safely.
Zigny just needed a chance to fire one shot to slay the watcher, but
with him staring unblinking at where they had disappeared, the drow
could fire on him before Zigny could fire his bolt.
There wasn't much time, Zigny needed a diversion, but the
gnomes had fled to the city and now stood steadfast against the
clamoring horde of drow. They would be unable to return through the
Oneway Gate since he had dropped the tunnel to which it was connected.
There was no way to escape, except to risk his life to save the city.
Zigny readied his crossbow with an explosive bolt, then
motioned for Mand'r Scaris to join him at the edge. He quickly relayed
his intentions and ordered the Mand'r to take the men into the tunnel,
find the failsafe switch and drop the north passage. Mand'r Scaris
agreed without a word, but the look in his eyes said volumes. Crossbow
ready and target in sight just over the edge, Zigny took a deep breath
and collected himself to jump up and fire.
Zigny said a quick prayer under his breath to Gargin, the
Starry Lord, Master of the Stargems, God of the Gnomes, and jumped to
his feet ready to fire once the drow was in his sights.
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