"I'll be glad to show you what accounts we have in our reports archives. It's not sensitive material. Not all of the knights making their reports will ever win any prizes at writing. The information is solid and accurate. There are maps, too. One of the ruins is at Sundermount." Not that he suspects Dorian is in any hurry to want to return there soon.

The sound of running water is getting louder. Aveline's voice comes from up ahead, sharp but not alarmed. "Hold!"

Cullen cuts a glance at Dorian then steps forward in the column to see what the problem is. When he reaches her it's all too obvious. There's a sheer drop-off into blackness with no obvious path or way down. The closest mage bends to pick up a rock, lights it with a soft glow, and hands it over to be tossed down. Cullen does so. It sails down, and down, and down until it's suddenly swallowed in a plop that takes a second or two to reach them.

"I don't think we're going to be able to get down there today," Cullen says.

Aveline shakes her head. "Then it's the other plan. We block the opening with rubble."

He nods. They don't have much other choice. "Back the way we've come. Keep looking sharp. We don't know where some of those spider tunnels lead. More could have come in behind us." The rear guard also determines to stay sharp in case anything comes up from the deeper cavern.