Beetles and Boats

All three adventurers reverted to their missile weapons as the unmistakable sound of approaching beetles grew louder. Seeing Animir - easily the best wielder of missiles in the group - struggling with a painful wound in her right arm, Thorkil the dwarf passed her their last potion of Cure Light Wounds, which eased the damage to the point where she could use her bow.

Four more fire-beetles rounded the corner, drawn by the noise, and piled into the three interlopers, correctly identifying them as the slayers of their comrade. Animir and Akara managed to do some damage with missiles, but Thorkil's looted crossbow was still unfamiliar and his bolt glanced off the beetle's back. All drew their weapons and battle was joined.

There were four beetles and three adventurers, so someone was going to get a second beetle; Animir's heart sank when she realized it was herself. However, her first strike with her long sword slew one, which evened up the odds a bit.

Next to her, Akara was flailing away with his short sword. Hardly more than a long knife, it was still too heavy for him, and he was having difficulty inflicting any really deep wounds, but he plugged on, bouyed by his success with his sling earlier. Thorkil, using the party's only magical sword, flailed and cursed as his stronger blows skated off the smooth beetle shell.

Animir managed to kill her beetle, and Akara's, before Thorkil finally managed to put paid to his, and then all three stood panting for a moment, before deciding to take the other passage, rather than the one the beetles had come out of.

Heading along the passage, they found themselves at the edge of a body of water. The level of the cave dipped sharply, and the result was a pool of water 40' across, at the far side of which the passage resumed. Two small boats, made apparently out of dead fire beetles (a pattern was emerging!) were pulled up on the far shore.

Having checked there was nothing more in view, Animir shrugged out of her armour and knotted their rope around her waist before plunging into the icy cold pool and swimming across to the other side. Thorkil paid the rope out, ready to haul her back if need be, and Akara kept watch, sling readied.

Reaching the far side, Animir climbed into one boat and used the rope to tether the other onto the back of it. Then she picked up the crude paddle and guided it, inexpertly but safely, over to the other side. There, once she was re-armed, the companions boarded the two boats, and sculled across to the far side.