In a cavern strewn with shattered rocks, the two rested in a corner.
The air smelled of damp earth. Renato took small sips of fresh water from his waterskin, then pushed the stopper firmly back in.
Klauthsura had used psionics to lift them both through the Great Cavern at the top of the Lair and into the strata above.
To escape any pursuing mind flayers, as well as the githyanki Klauthsura had mentioned, they had spent another three hours traveling nonstop through pitch-black tunnels.
The dirt and grit on Renato's face made him look even more bedraggled. Only now had he finally found a cavern with clear lines of sight where he could sit down and rest.
His body was utterly exhausted. The prolonged concentration had left him with a slight migraine, and his eyes ached and felt swollen.
Still, he struggled to keep his mind clear, his fingers resting on his sword hilt.
Tristana had reached her limit long ago. After drinking another Healing Potion, she had lain down beside Renato and lost consciousness.
The female drow's face was still bloodless, but her breathing had grown much steadier. Her silver-white hair spread across a relatively flat rock, covered in dust.
The mind flayer, the only one who still seemed full of energy, had gone to scout the surrounding area for signs of those astral pirates-the githyanki.
Renato did not understand why Klauthsura was so nervous. Were paupers like them really worth coming all the way from the Astral Plane to rob?
Even if the githyanki were hunting mind flayers, an outcast like Klauthsura could hardly be their priority.
For now, though, they could only leave the watch to him.
Just before entering "meditation," Renato opened the [Adventurer's Guide] for his habitual check. A change to one of his feats