The Systems Challenge

After Sonya had finished making her report to the entire group, the general consensus was that they needed to head to the dungeon right away, regardless of what other dangers might be present. That if Stanley and his group had arrived at the dungeon, that it was only a matter of time before he became aware of the book that he had in his possession being the wrong one. Since it was clear that he and his group really weren’t in contact with Harold, even though Harold might have believed otherwise.

It wasn’t so much that they suspected Stanley and his group didn’t care, it was more likely that they hadn’t anticipated that Harold might have failed and wanted to complete the challenge without him being present.

While Kim didn’t like that idea, she couldn’t say that it didn’t sound like what little she’d learned about Stanley and Frank from when they had temporarily teamed up. The only one that it didn’t really sound like was Thomas, but it wasn’t like he was the leader. If anything, he seemed more like a willing accomplice than anything else to whatever Stanley, and sometimes Frank, came up with.

"So, what now?" Elin asked when Sonya had finished her short report. "Do we continue on without knowing where Stanley and his group is?"

"It doesn’t look like we have much choice," Elwin said, sounding a little annoyed. "If we can’t get into the dungeon to where we can pass by Stanley and his group, then we’ll have to fight them for sure."

Kim wasn’t so sure but didn’t see the point in saying anything about it. If she did, it might spark an argument that wouldn’t have any bearing on what they should do next. Nor would it serve any purpose but to risk breaking up their combined group. Which would raise the question of who would take the book. As there was only one book and if they split their group up, they might have a fight on their hands, which would only weaken them for whatever else might come up in the dungeon, Stanley and his group aside.

"Well, let’s hope whatever is in the dungeon to keep us from getting to where we’re supposed to take the book will be at least weakened by Stanley and his group," Jonas commented, putting a positive spin on the situation that Kim hadn’t even thought of.

Not that she cared much. As it still didn’t solve the current problem of Stanley and his group, unless they got themselves killed, which Kim didn’t think was likely to happen. It would be too easy if that had happened. Which in turn would make it more likely that something was going to appear unexpectedly. Even if that ’something’ wasn’t currently in existence yet.

"Well, the sooner we get moving, the sooner we can get into the dungeon," Owen said, standing up, looking like he was ready to go right then, despite the fact that night was still settling in around them.

"It’s dangerous to walk about these woods at night," Patrick remarked. "When Patricia and I first were here, we stayed into the night and the spiders that came out weren’t so friendly, even though they roasted just as well as any other arachnid or insect out there."

"He’s right," Patricia added, though she looked annoyed when Patrick had first spoken. "Even staying in a camp like this might not be very safe."

"Well, better to keep moving then," Owen replied. "The sooner we get out of here then, the sooner we won’t have to worry about those spiders then." Owen paused as he looked around. "Uh, assuming they’re still in this forest and you didn’t roast all of them."

"I’m sure there’s still more here," Patrick said with conviction. "While I don’t like spiders, they’re not suicidal. Or at least not all of them are. The ones who are probably got roasted quickly enough, but who’s to say how long it takes for them to lay eggs or for those eggs to hatch. It’s been at least two months since we were here, probably longer, and who’s to say how many more of those creatures have hatched since then."