Compelled by some charm, Aengus urged his friends to follow as he turned around and began marching back into the dark tunnel. Urs was elated to return to battle; Vara and Jani were very apprehensive about this sudden change of plans, but did not use force to restrain Aengus.
Before long, they found themselves in the company of a mind flayer being fed a brain by a small troop of duergar. As Urs rushed at them, Aengus turned on Jani. A smack from one careless duergar brought Aengus back to his senses, but, before the apology had left his lips, Jani self-immolated with a Fireball. Simultaneously, Urs was stunned as the mind flayer wrapped its tentacles around his hairy brain. In what could have been a very stupid move if his aim was not perfect, Aengus flung a bead of force at the mind flayer, capturing it in an impenetrable bubble, separating it from Urs. The remaining duergar were dealt with, and the Wild Rovers flayed the mind flayer when the bubble burst. As the dust settled, Aengus heard in his mind, “See you soon…”
Tapped by three consecutive fights, they retreated again and escaped from the hole. The Second Hammer was impressed with their success, and, with a little assertion from Vara, was willing to respect their autonomy outside of their command. Together with the First Hammer, they examined the encrypted duergar scheme but could make no sense of it. With an air of plausible deniability, the First Hammer recommended seeking help from those with the power to decipher such things at “The Infirmary” brothel.
Aengus used nearly the last of his magic to send a message to Granite, asking him to bring himself and their mutual friend, Brothalsia Magmabranch, to the Infirmary; and to Bean, who was drinking with Stinger and Aengus’s uncle Sven and cousins Gen and Ren at some local pub. Vara went off searching for them, succeeded, and put 300 gold pieces into the hands of Sven to convince them to join their fight.
Meanwhile, the other Rovers went to the Infirmary and were led into the secret back room where privacy was assured. There they found the high cleric of Moradin himself, Ammun Amberbranch. An argument ensued between Aengus and his old antagonist. “This is all your fault!” “How could you let things get so bad on your watch?” “You’re no friend of Moradin…” etc. When Aengus challenged Ammun on this last insult, the senior cleric began to commune with the All-Father, fiercely locking arms with Aengus throughout the prayer. Intent on demonstrating his devotion and pure intentions to Ammun, Aengus attempted to focus his strength, but as his old scars—both literal and figurative—began to burn, his strength wavered, and he released his grip. The test now failed, Ammun eye’s pierced Aengus and saw his weakness. Perhaps with some pity, he offered this advice: “The only way to know if Moradin is truly with you will be to take the leap…”