In theory, there shouldn't have been a vast hollow space beneath Dunling. The area did receive a great deal of rainfall, but its bedrock was not primarily limestone, so conditions weren't ideal for forming caves.
Besides, this wasn't an ordinary cave, with an elongated shape and occasional wider chambers. It was a vast space that seemed to stretch on without end.
The area beneath the Great Hall was at the edge of the water. The collapsed section formed a steep slope of jagged rocks that jutted down into the lake.
Any hope of finding the missing people had vanished. The thing had probably returned to the lake.
It took the people behind them nearly half a day to fully open up the passage. Only then did the two dare approach the water, with plenty of fuel and support close at hand.
The dense water mist severely limited visibility. Even with torches held high, they couldn't illuminate an area large enough to feel safe. They could hardly be said to be walking; they were feeling their way down, climbing between the rocks.
Fortunately, the slope grew gentler farther down, making it easier to move. By the time they realized the slow, rhythmic sound of water was close by, they were standing on a Stone Beach strewn with smaller rocks.
Waves from the underground lake broke against the rocky ridges into trickles of water, which filled the gaps between them like breath, then slowly receded. Their low murmur sounded like sobbing, and had an indescribable, almost living quality.
The water was impossibly clear. In the gloom, it looked like flowing black crystal, utterly pure, without the algae or decaying matter common in enclosed bodies of water.
They looked up, but couldn't make out the shape of the cavern roof or judge how