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Maulká hurried along the dark halls with Nephil and the others. They headed for the cave exit, hoping to intercept the intruders. If the outsiders made tgheir way to the deep reaches of the caves, it would be many days before they were found. Not even the elders knew all the secrets of the lower tunnels.
As they drew near the exit, Maulká heard a faint noise echoing from one of the nearby corridors. She slowed, and at that moment a guard came running from the hallway. "They have broken into the hushed room!" He gasped. "We can no longer wait."
The company quickly overcame their surprise and dashed down the hallway. The noise, now identifiable as voices grew louder. Reaching the door, they found it blocked, the door enforced by some means from the other side. After some confusion, several of the warriors found a supply trunk in a nearby room and began to use it as a battering ram against the obstruction. For several moments the barricade held, until it was splintered by a well-placed blow. The trunk was thrown aside and warriors charged into the room, weapons drawn.
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