Thankfully for Balen, the fight became much easier when the mages started rolling in their arts. As lightning, fire, and beings from spectral planes filled the chamber, the fight turned more and more in the group’s favor. ‘’[i]If only this Telvanni stopped talking,[/i]’’ Balen thought to himself as he fought the magical urge to charge into a group of Draugr that were slowly shambling towards the group. As he had reminded himself earlier, losing the melody in rapture of one triumphant note would probably cause him to get one of his limbs chopped off, and he much preferred his body intact. ‘’[i]Better to watch the magick rip the walking dead apart,[/i]’’ Balen argued in his head.

As Sibassius cut through two more Draugr, and the creatures kept their slow, costly but nonetheless sure-footed advance, a sudden, booming sound started speaking in Draconic, vibrating the very ground underneath them – as if the Earth Bones had seen enough of the battle, and had decided to speak. ‘’[i]Daal wah turi, zeymah. Wunduniikke kos zol mul. Dii suleyk fen viik wunduniikke.[/i]’’ As Sibassius retreated back into the ranks of the group, Balen eyed the rest of the Draugr. They halted, perhaps in respect to the source of the voice, and retreated back into the darkness of the chamber, leaving behind their weapons and their dead. 

After moments of silence, Sibassius decided to quench his curiosity and spoke. ‘’Did anyone understand what that voice said?’’ Following the question, Balen sheathed his blade and started to think. His Draconic was rusty, but he had prepared before the expedition – although, now that he thought of it, he shouldn’t have studied while piping skooma. It was all blurry. Then again, he certainly could use a pipe right now – his sugar tooth was aching again.

‘’I think he told them to retreat. ‘The wanderers are strong’ or something like that. Told them to return to their overlord. And that he can match us… Defeat us.’’

Balen paused. It was easy to piece together – something bad is coming. 

‘’I assume the source of the sound is either a Dragon Priest itself, or just a high-ranking Draugr. Either way, it’s foreboding. I’d say that we should look for a way out, but…’’ Balen looked back at the rocks that covered the exit. ‘’I’m sorry about that. Should’ve been more careful. If we make it, I’ll share one fifths of my profit with you folks.’’