Klauthsura slowly descended in her Dragon Sorcerer guise.
She landed lightly beside Tristana, standing shoulder to shoulder with the female Drow as they worked together to hoodwink the greenskins who had only recently awakened.
"Dragonkin Retainers," "the protection of the legendary dragon Gattholex," "endless plunder and conquest"...
Pitch after pitch flowed from their mouths, their seamless coordination dispelling Renato's last lingering doubts.
Between the female Drow's threats and the female Dragonborn's promises, the Hobgoblins were thoroughly taken in.
The situation was largely under control. Once Klauthsura entered the Psionic Node and opened the warehouses where weapons were stored for the thralls, they could advance toward the next node.
Renato looked around, but the old Dwarf was nowhere to be seen.
Where had Balin gone?
He frowned, scanning every corner of the pit.
No rope hung down the rock wall. Had the old Dwarf not come down yet?
Renato's Ring of Spider Climbing consumed another precious spell charge.
The ring could only be used a limited number of times each day, and every charge might save his life in a desperate moment. But Renato could not worry about that now.
He swiftly climbed to the top of the rock wall and scanned his surroundings warily.
The worst had not happened. All was quiet, and Balin had not been attacked by Mind Flayers.
Yet the old Dwarf had already gone some distance away.
"Balin! Wait!"
Not far off, Balin had hoisted the enormous Steel Crossbow onto his back and was walking alone toward District 2.
Renato hurried after him and caught up.
"Balin!" He placed a hand on the old Dwarf's shoulder, forcing him to stop. "What are you going to do?"
The old Dwarf turned around and merely shook his head.
"Lad." Balin's voice was low. "I'm going to do