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There were two
worms battling over the non-existant female. One was smaller and had
several wounds from drow weapons and invert pinchers, the larger of the
two was unharmed and throwing the smaller across the wide chamber. The
smaller one wouldn't last long, he had to get his men into the city,
before their battle collapsed the tunnel.
He saw the worms roll to the far side of the chamber and
signalled a full charge for the breaches. His men followed quickly.
Then, they were racing across the Cavern with one eye on the battle of
the behemoths and the other on their destination. Before they had
reached the midpoint of the chamber, the worms began to roll back
toward them. Zigny paused unsure if they could make it to either safe
haven.
Suddenly, the larger worm threw his rival across the
chamber, over the heads of the gnomes, to crash against the opposite
wall. The great bulk of the struggling beast lay between the gnomes and
the tunnel they had just escaped from. However, the larger worm was now
barrelling in for the kill, his path leading directly at the gnomes and
blocking them from escape into the city.
Zigny thought fast. He motioned for his men to follow him
and ran for the wall where the alcove was hidden. If they could reach
the safe high position, then his men would survive.
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They ran for
the wall, narrowly escaping the rampaging creatures. Zigny worried that
the battle would keep them from reaching the alcove high above. One
good crash as they climbed and they would fall to their deaths or
worse. When they reached the wall the gnomes waited for their leader
who was taking up the rear. He in turn glanced at the wrestling worms.
They were busy struggling in the center of the Cavern. Now was as good
a time as any.
With a signal, the first three gnomes started up the wall.
Moments later, another three started to climb. All the while Zigny kept
an eye on the embattled foes. Zigny's face went pale as he watched the
smaller worm being smashed into the Cavern wall near the breaches. He
shouted for the remaining gnomes on the groud to catch their falling
kin.
The worm smashed into the wall again and again, swung by
the massive strength of the larger purple worm. The gnomes were caught
and reassembled near the wall, thankfully, none hurt from the short
fall. They watched in horror, expecting the next blow to bring down the
wall and expose the gnomes hiding in the city to the rage of the purple
worm.
Zigny's horror was much more than his men, he knew how
deadly the last breath of a dying purple worm could be. The Master had
to risk the lives of his men and his own life to save the city.
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